HONGKONG'S LIGHTING.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 1905
commuted to the results that are bound to come | about shortly. Not only is it the history of the rejuvenation of the Gasworks, but it is also SOME EARLY HISTORY. . thur bistory of a series of extensions in every department which should in the very near RESULT OF A GOVERNMENT CONCESSION, Inture bring the Hongkong plant-using that word in its broadest sense-up to anything When West Point was merely a namie, near-
found in a British city of the sains population ly a swamp, and certainly auknown to the
as Hongkong. Something has to be said about majority the people who then resided in Hongkong, the longkong and China Gas its hills and lowes, its peaks and its lowlands, the peculiar formation of Hongkong, how with Company started building their works there, A firm, belief in pasienty and a keen recogni.it is and of the most difficult cities in the world to provide with gas ilumination; but that tion of the potentialities of Hongkong were the characteristics of inerchants in those days. It details of gas lighting.
will come later among the strange and uncouth must have been a day's journey to that corner of the island when there were no electric cars
"NO ADMISSION.” buzzing along the street, and when people could walk along the centre of the road with out dreading instant decapitation should they venture between the line of double tails. As a fact, it is doubtful whether anybody thought the slightest thing about their advantages. Those were leisurely times when all the bronzed "blocds" of the old country could rake in the dollars at a fabulous premium with out the slightest exertion. May they come again and soon. To-day the scene is vastly changed. Even the speedy trolley is incapable of evading those all-prevading odours which permeate the atmosphere along towards the Gasworks. No doubt, the Chinese by selling dried fish are honourable and worthy gentle. men, but they should have a concession all to themselves.
NEW WEST POINT.
Houses and shops have sprung up where once n barren waste existed There are a few, a very few, old-timers who might remember the early days of tlangkong's story, but like all modest people they are reticent. There are no hints from them as to the state of Hongkong when they were piling up fortunes that would have made old Croesus blind with jealousy. Nordo they say how they discovered West Point. For all that West Point has grown and flourished, An occasional stranger may take a trip all the way to Kennedy Town, but ask the average resident what "belongs there. An airy answer that it holds the plague-house is pro- bably all that will be given. Uut of pure mis chief an indigend has been. known to make the trip, but he has confessed afterwards that it was "stale, flat and unprofitable "—that is, if he was no shareholder in the numerous concerns which have been sinrted there.
But all this has little to do with ike gas works except as a prelude to a story which, from a business point of view, should be as attractive as any dráma,
A CANNY SCOT
|
Probably it is because we all take gas as a sort of natural agency, which has to be paid for periodically, that so few take the trouble to wonder how it is made. It comes from coal, of course; we all know that. And the coal in the grate is throwing off gas by the cartload, if we could only be bothered to catch it. Con sequently the Gas Company must be making a fine profit, having nothing to do except to burn coal and watch it burning. Or it may be that the numerous notices about "No Admis sion except on Business-which, no doubt, means that you can't get in unless you want to pay the gas bilt-has a deterrent effect on the sightseer Hut who ever heard of anybody being kept out by such a notice? It is on re. cord that a tramp begged all day in front of a building wearing such a placard and when arrested thumphantly pleaded that he was not on business, but wanted a job which he had not asked for, because business was not in his line" I'm no 'Thespian," he sud.
ROUND THE GASWORKS.
A stroll round Hongkong Gasworks, not- withstanding all that, is a most informative journey, especially if one secures as guide the engineer, Mr. McCubbin, representative of the Hongkong Telegraph had the good for tune the other day of realising such a desire, and the Dominie's Prodigious!" expresses somewhat the feeling after seeing the works and the vast improvements which have been made there of recent years.
COAL FROM JAPAN.
Perhaps, and most probably, it is simply | expininable by the atrocious scorching heat which singes the eyes brows of the uninitinted and makes him to wonder if it is not summer every day, with a glimpse of nether regions thrown in for hausel. The old retort house, with all its clinging vapours and fiery darts, has been described in a moderate way, but the new retort house by comparison is a modern gentle. you see the new retorts, and they are all as man. There is a staging to be reached before prim and properas milady. Below the staging is the cinder-house, where all the waste is taken from the grates. The new retort house is only eighteen months old, and it is an up-to date arrangement. It contains six ovens of sight through retorts. In each oven the coke instead of being, hauled out is pulled live into the fire, the benefit being that the coke is not subjected to the process of slaking as under the ld. system, which has already been described. Better results are thus obtained at less cost.
THE CONDENSERS.
Coming to the condensers a little preliminary talk must be indulged in. The gas, or gases, after coming from the retort house has to pass through a hydraulic main. It is then taken away along what is called a foul main, 18 inches in diameter, and from the foul main it enters the condensers. At present the gas is a mixture of all sorts of volatile matter. From the condensers there is a constant flow. of ammoniacal liquor and tar, drawn from the gas. As it enters the condensers the gas has a temperature of 200 degrees, but it is gradually cooled, until it is of the same temperature as the atmosphere. The condensers are made hy Morris and Cutler. The next stage is the exhausters. Here an old purifying shed has been converted into an engine house, tiled and fitted up in the most modern fashion. The exhusters not only pull the gas from the re- torts and the condensers, but they expel it towards the plant where the gas is treated before it arrives at the gastrolders. There is the scrubber washer, the purifier, and the station meter to be passed before the gas arrives at the gasholder.
IN CASE OF FIRE.
Aker going through the exhausters the gas is sent along to Pelouze and Adouin's tar ex- tractor-Messrs. W. G. Holmes and Co., Hud- dersfield being the makers. This machine ncts as a filter, extracting the larry vapours which have still been left in the gas.
It may hardly seem worth while to speak handy arrangement of appliances for coping In the engine-room there is an exceptionally about the coal. The Board Schools have said all with Fire The directors at home sent out a there is to say on that subject, but merely as fire pump and as there is plenty of water at the a necessary beginning it may be stated that command of the Company the slightest symp. the col used by the Hongkong Gas Company tom of fire can be tackled at a moment's comes from Japan, from a place felicitously named Mororan, which is in Yubari, The notice. The pump is capable of throwing a coal, of course, is landed in junks and the in-
ist of water 100 feet high, the water being evitable coolie carries it to the coal sheds. At obtained from a well which supplies the works. The Engineer in his dry way remarked: "We home one is accustomed to see a spidery Fuif-baven't to depend upon the dilly-dallying of
solemo looking individual walking in front, solemnly blowing a whistle,
the Hongkong Brigade." to indicate that the said Billy is dragging some waggon-loads of coals from the railway or the wharf to the gasworks. It is amusing to watch this individual thus carefully setting the pub. lic aright, when the engine goes at one and five-eighths of a mile per hour whereas the cars run at ten miles an hour and nobody in front. But to resume. The conlies dump the coal Passing to the scrubber, the gas is passed in sheds which seem to be erected all over the through wooden sieves. There are seven place with the special object of storing pur-divisi ins, each of which is fitted with separate poses.
sieves, propelled by a steam engine and made to rotate. It will be seen in all this that the gas is treated as if it were a solid body, and as a-matter of fact the Engineer and his accom- plices seemed to think of gas as a hard and heavy substance which they could do what they liked with. They put it through machines, just as a laundry man would put a garment throughra mangle. They washed it and scrubbed it and cleaned it till they had got it just as they wished it. To proceed, however, the gas after entering the scrubber washer comes in contact with
In 1852, one of those adventurous Scotsmen, who even now roam the world at large, dising Billy, with covered that Hongkong wis without the saving grace of light. The fallow candle and the farthing "dip"--which are not quite identical -furnished an unsatisfactory illumination for the great majority, Indeed, it has been sug gested that the rash-light and the cruisie had not gone out of date. But that is probably a libel. In any case, there was nothing better than oil lamps to be found in the Culony, and the natural result was that thieves and burglars and all the scum of the East made Hongkong their habitat and rejoiced exceedingly. It is said that the pirates of the West River found West Point a convenient refuge in the busy season, especially when competition had been over-brisk, just as it is said to-day that there are more pirates at Shaukiwan than there are at Canton. That by the way. Al any rate, Mr. Glen-whose son recently visited Hongkong and remaked that he would serious. ly think of prefixing "Mac," in his name should he be obliged to remain here-saw the possi- bilites of the place and approached the Gov ernment of the Colony on the subject of a con- cession to light the city, of Victoria by gas. Apparently they could do what they liked, could the Government, and without much red- tape they granted the concession and Mr. Gleis went to Loudan. In something rather less than no time he had formed a conipany to which be sold the concession, and the Hongkong and China Gas Company became an accomplished fact. Mr. Glen retained a considerable interest in the Company and he was appointed the first chairman of the directors.
LONDON DIRECTORS.
It would be interesting to learn the terms of that concession which has proved so great a blessing to the Colony. No doubt, after a deal ql trouble, it could be unearthed from the Colony's archives, but this is too bustling a period to allow such gropings. The fact re mains that once the Company was formed and the concession purchased, work was begun in real earnest. There were no balf-hearted mea- sures. No doubt te many of the directors, West Point was a name only; not even a point on the nap, but they had implicit faith in their venture, and went ahead a la tooley. Results have justified them and to-day the Hong- kong Gasworks is one of the most steadily prosperolts concerns in the Colony. It has passed through fair and foul weather; money has been spent like dross; and now the turning. point has been reached when, apparently, all that the shareholders need do is to sit tight and draw their dividends.
"LET THERE BE LIGHT."
Somewheretherearerecords showing how the first lamp was lighted to the great amazement of the public at such an innovation. In one of his articles, Rudyard Kipling tells the sto y of a Pathan's first visit to Calcutta. "Were i to write of what I have seen," he says, "all our people would think that i was mad and a liar." And he goes on: "There are lights without oil or wood burning brightly in this city," to another be writes, speaking of an Indian in London: At night they [the streets] are lit with English lamps, which need on oil, but are fed by wind which burns." If that be a true picture of an Indian's first acquaintance with gas, what, think ye, must have been the China- man's when he first came across a gas lamp in Hongkong?
WAS IT VANDALISM Ÿ
ON ACCOUNT OF THE WAR. Coal-there is nothing to be seen but coal, at a casual glance. And the reason for that is somewhat curious. It is all on account of the war. Before the war began, a month's supply of coat on band was thought sufficient to meet the requirements of the Gasworks. Now it is usual to take in a nine months' supply And the stock is never allowed to fail below a six months' supply, which shows how the war affects everything. The coal is what is termed tump coal, for which a good deal extra is paid than for ordinary coal, but it is the best that Japan can supply for the production of gas.
A CHESSBOARD.
Just outside the retort-house, there is a board with a lot of chess-board rings upon it. Look ed at frou a distance, seems as if the King had just accomplished a masterly retreat be- hind the Queen. The chess-board, however, relers only to the consumption of coal per hour by each retort. All the coal for the retorts is weighed, and the exact amount of gas which thai cual should produce is down in black and white. Like everything else, there is apt to be a slight digression from the general rule, but taken all round the average is usually the same,
which brings us to the retort-housa,
In that shed which was described as old
and grimy, although it still wears an air of gayous blue, like a nonagenarian sport ing as a nymphs, is the old retort-house. It ations. After all is said and done it is a grimy was built when the Company statted oper- hule. It contains seven through avens--that is, the ovens run through a horizontal length of fire-brick piping-and each of those ovens has six through retorts, Briefly, the first stage is this: the coal is weighed, thrown into cylinders smmething after the shape of a cigarette-maker, and laid on an even layer along the retorts. The gas is driven from the coal by destructive distillation, and the volatile matter in the coal is liberated.
A LA DANTE.
SCRUBNING CAS.
Governor have to be erected on the higher! districts so that the flow of gas may be checked. There are at the present time about a dozen Governors in use and they have to be watched with a very jealous aye. They are under con- stant supervision, because from climatic effects they are liable to stick.
THE FITTING DEPARTMENT. The fitting department which is under the change of Mr. Edgar W. Tetry, Superintendent, etc, are done. Since the formation of the is a very extensive place where all the repairs,
adopted which has proved very successful. It Company, a system of hiring fittings has been is all to the advantage of the consumer, who just as he pleases. All the fittings are of the can hire his gas fittings for two or three years
best quality for the very good reason that cheap goods would not last in the Colony, subject as they would be to all sorts of conditions. At the works there are brazing, bronzing, and lacquering departments. A large amount of capital has been expended on the fitting work, as may be well understood from the large number of consumers of gas in the Colony. Recently the Company have adopted the system of giving free installations to users within 50 fect of the mains.
INCANDESCENT LIGHTS. Incandescent burners have lately come into vogue and the Company have a contract with the Government for the lighting of the city The upkeep of the lights by this means. is in the hands of Messrs. Kruse & Co. who maintain and replenish the mantles, and every effort is made to keep the lighting of the city up to the standard. The introduction of electric lighting has also had an effect in in- creasing the demand for gas. It seems that when a merchant sees a rival installing the electric light he determines not to be outdone and orders more gas barners, so everybody is benefited. In the showrooms at the Gas Com pany there is being exhibited the latest type of gas light apparatus the most notable being the inverted incandescent burner. This type of burner has proved a great success at home and should be equally successful here. Gas stoves are coming into use, but it is to be feared that The Chinese cook is the great factor against the light and lets it burn all day with the their general adoption. The "boy" wurus on result that a nice little bill for gas comes in, and the householder, fearing the expense, reverts to the plain fire. Gas engines also are being pushed and in a short time it is believed that a big business will be done in that line.
FIVE YEARS' PLOGRESS.
•
All do and't ake Walk, 1 mile, 3.33. Mr Chucksbank's and Mr. Gresson's subs. in company, & mife, time. for the first quarter was missed; forthe other two quarters 1.16, 147.
Mr. Peter's sub, & utile, 1.56.
Mr. Moxon's derby, 4 mile, 41, 1.21, 1.50. Mr. Houston's stable companions (two) un clipped, mile, Lost finishing rolling.
Mr. White's Bobbery and Hacken Schmidt, mile, 1.04). A very good performance, and nishing in fine form.
in
Beau Cake, I miile, last (?), 1.15h, 1.491. Sutherland & Co.'s sub. half mile, 1.07. Mr. Mumford's sub. 11 mile, joined by H. E. the Governor's sub. for 1 mile, (2), 1.13, (?) 2.25, 3.06, 3.39. H. Els pony covered the mile
2.35t Mr. Mody's sub., 1 mile, 36, ( ? ), 1.46, 2.18. - Mr. Moxon's sub,, 4 mile, 46, 1.24, 1.59. Mr. Potts's chestnut, 1 mile, joined by his stable companion (cream) at mile; 36), 1.14, 1.50, 2.22; the latter's time being. 374, 1.13, 1.451
Nole. Whenever the note of interrogation (7) appears in the above, it must be taken to read that the time for the quarter in cach case
has been missed.
18th inst.
Following are the times recorded for this morning's gallops
Mr. Kadoorie's sub, opened the ball in pitch darkness, 14 mile, made it in 3.1K.
Jetsam, 1 mile, 40, 1.13, 1.53, 2.253. Mr. Macdonald's chestnut, i mile, time not taken, finished last quarter 3a.
Mr. Johnston's sub, mile, 41, 1.20, 1.54). Coronet Rose, inile, 38,.1.16, 1.49. Mr. Mody's sub, 4 mile, 341, 1.08), 1,40). Mr. Jupp's sub., 1 mile, 34, 1,10, 1.46, 2.21. Mr. Craig's cream Derby, i mile, 40 1/5, 1722, 2.03, 237 4/5.
Mr. Craig's Derby, 14 mile, 42, 1.21, 2.00, 2.37, 3.10.
H.D. the Governor's sub., 3 mile, 41h, 1.18 1/5. 1.53 1/5
Messrs. Sutherland & Co.'s sub, mile, 30, .. 147.
Mr. Mumford's sub, į mile, 33, 1.06 1/5, 1.401. Mr. Goetz's sub, and Patrimony, I mile, 448. 26, 2.05, 2.40,
2.34 4/5.
Mr. Lamke's subs., 1 mile, 34, 1.20), 1.59),
missed.
Messrs. Babington's and Peter's subs., mile,
Alladin, 1 mile, 36, 1.18, 1.464, 2.21 1/5. Cake Walk,mile, 35, 1.10), 1.48. Mr. Potts's Derby, 1 mile, 34, 1.09, 1.45 1/5,
2.20.
Mr. Polts's 2 Derby, I mile, 37, 1.34, 1.503. 2.21.
Mr. Potts's 2 subs., chestnut and creant, 1 mile, 38 1/5, 1.16, 1.53, 2.26,
To show how the consumption of gas has increased since Mr. McCubbin came to Hong- kong a few figure may be given. In 1900 the gas manufactured was 65,580,000 cubic feet. In 1934 it was 115,953,000 cubic feet. In 190 the consumers were-Europeans, 758; Chinese 811-total 1569. In 1954 the figures were European, 761; Chinese, 1601-total 2,362-492/5, nearly double the number of five years ago.
Many extensions have been carried out, and others are to process of being completed. The Company have acquired a large piece of ground south of Queen's Road West where it is pro posed to put a large gasholder to meet the development of the Colony. Recently trouble has been experienced with napthaline deposits in the mains and a process has now been put in operation, whereby a spray is used on the gas, thus preventing the napthaline settling,
THE WORKERS.
THE DIRECTORS, Fortunately for the Company, the directorate. is filled with able and energetic members, who are full of enterprise and ready to consider every idea. Two members are themselves gas engineers. The Chairman Mr. A. *. Phillips, water which absorbs the ammonia, carbonic undertakings. Mr. R. Morton was a gas M.L.C.E., is a consulting engineer for many large arid, and sulphurated bydrogen: A glass cover engineer and is a director on the South Metro- was lifted and the smell that arose from the im-politan, Sir John J. Grinlinton was Surveyor prisoned gases would have choked a menagene. General of Ceylon and has large experience of Along to the purifying shed, where an entirely
the needs of an oriental city. Mr. Simpson the method of clearing the gas of the last rem new plant has been erected, there is to be seen
Rostron is a London solicitor, so that the legal nants of extraneous matter. Heaps of oxide questions should be safe so far as the Company is concerned. Messrs. Jardine Mathesou & of tron, or rust in plain language, are mixed with
Co. are the local agents. saw dust, and the process of passing the pas through sieves is again adopted. The oxide of iron takes out the sulphurated hydrogen, or whatever remains of that gas, and the carbonic acid gas is treated with lime which has a natural affinity for that gas. We have now arrived at the stage when the gas is chemically pare for household use. But it has still to en- ter the station meter. It might here be stated that the Gas Company's plant is capable of dealing with a million cubic feet of gas a day, but as a matter of fact only some 350,000 cubic feet are treated. The station meter registers the amount of gas manufactured and of course furnishes the check on the quantity lost hands of the meter-capable also of dealing between the works and the consumer. The with a million cubic feet a day-are continually going round at a rate which, if the private con- summer were concerned, would make his hair
stand on end.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE SUPPLY. During the last few years an immense im- provement has been made in the system of mains along the streets. A 13-inch-main runs from the works along Queen's Road as far as the fire station. Thence to the City Hall there is a 10-inch man. In the old days au 8-inch main ran as far as Arsenal Street and a G-inch main took the supply to Wanchai. Owing to the large increase in consumers, especially Chinese, the Company have lately been at considerable expense in laying another 12-inch main which runs along Connaught Road up to the Harbour Master's office and a to inch main from there to Pottin» ger Street.
|
With regard to the working representatives, Mr. J. McCubbin has had large experience and the best evidence of his ability is found in the remarkable increase in the gas consumption of Hongkong. Mr. Terry, the superintendent, has been here since 1883, and his focal know ledge is invaluable to the Company. He can remember when the Gas Company had only 400 consumers, and his reminiscences of Hong kong of zo years ago are delightful. Mr. George P. Curry has recently been appointed the local secretary. Mr. Dunwich is the clerk of works, and the recent extensions have been carried out under his supervision.
HONGKONG REGATTA.
JUNIOR FOURS.
The following are the entries for the Junior Fours, at the forthcoming Regatta-
(Bow), G. F. Story, A. J. V. Ribeiro, H. W Paxton, (Str.) L. A. Musso.
(Bow), J. Cruickshank, C. E. A. Hance, H. Johanherr, (Str.) F. C. Barlow.
(Bow), J. Jordan, H. Seth, A. T. Walker, (Sir) T. E. Pearce
(Row), A. J. Darby, A. V. Barros, W. M. Stewart (Str) S, Gidley.
Strokes will arrange with their respective crews as to boats and practice. Owing to the scarcity of strokes, it has been found impracti cable to make use of the whole of the entries received.
TURE TOPICS..
14th inst.
A bell sounded. Listless coolies, who had nothing to do but warm themselves, jumped up with a rush. They dived at the doors of the retorts and a blazing inferno was opened. Hastaly shutting the doors, a dense mass of vapour streamed out through the instertices and the whole building was filled with what looked like smoke. A coolie, brandishing a torch, went along to each iron door and planted his torch on the vapour. In a moment it had ignited and the place was ablaze with light,
There are also lateral mains Here was good gas being wasted? That's gas that is not worth keeping," said the en-
wherever vequired. At the present time the gineer. It was rather a dazzling sight and in- Company are laying a new 6-inch main from ferrupted the stream of question and answer.
the works to Hill Road, along Banham koad, To the great disappointment of a large ga It seems that the coal is supposed to burn Robinson Road to the Peak Road, connecting thering of interested spectators who desired for six hours, until all the volatile matter has with the St. Andrew's main. Of late years lic to witness the gallops où the last day of sead- been got away from it. Then the gases-for consumption of gas by residents in these dising in entries for the approaching meeting, a we are a long way from the illuminant yet-tricts has wonderfully increased and the thick, impenetrable fog bung persistently over rise into what is called an ascension pipe, necessity for increasing the supply has been the course this morning and obscured a view of the operations on the track. Those who, through a hydraulic main, "where the dip pipes forced on the attention of the directors, with
for years past, have been regularly at the rails are sealed and tarted to quote the engineer the result that these additions have been made again. This prevents the gas from one retort to the Company's works. The Pe ik residents are by no means unaccustomed to early mist connecting with the gas of another retort.
will have a separate main for themselves, and which generally has the knack of clearing off, The men came forward with long rakes and all the roads leading to the Peak will be bet- as the sun peeps over the bills. This morning, however, the hopes of everyone, including a haulded out the blazing cinders. Those who ter supplied from the West Point works. khow anything about poor life at home will re-
large circle of ladies, were doomed to disip member the old cry, a cry now stilled,-stilled
pointment even though at times the fog gave past eight that it made a final move, but then promise of rising. It was not until a quarter it was too late and the people made off for but I was fortunate enough to secure a few breakfast. No times could be taken by myself, which owners and friends kiadly placed at my disposal. These they were able to get by dint the "jocks," who signal by shouting imme of straining their eyes, and also by the aid of distely they got away. Let us hope that no mote such disappointing mornings as that which greeted us to-day are in store for those Asked about accidents, the Engineer re--who desire to get a little insight into form and marked that there bad never been anything so on. I heard one fellow from the Peak pass specially remarkable. In the great rainstorm | an observation as to whether it was worth while of 1883 the main broke on account of the wash waking so carly and walking down to stand at from Gleneaty nullah, and the town was in the rails and gaze into obscurity, Anyhow the darkness for two nights. The steam roller at ́ ́exercise is good if the temper is short. first was a first-class breaker of mains, but the Company having laid their mains lower in the ground that cause of destruction has been
A dull, gloomy, grime-stained shed, with a suspicion of red-flares and imps beyond stands facing that street where the Gasworks stand, and it bears in exuberant letters the device "Erected in 1864," or words to that effect. We may take it then that the Hongkong Gasworks started operations is that year. A wasworks was a gasworks in those days, and not an architectural phantasy reduced to stone to en- lighten the native in artistic conceptions, and by Act of Parliament-which used to raise its furnish food for the Philistine. A plain ordinary racuous sell over streets innumerable" Ga'as building, shapeless, barn-like, useful was the re- C-inders." Here also gas cinders have their tort-house. It still stands, What the offices were value, but a certain percentage is used to feed like older residents may know: they are now a
the fires, so that all is not waste. Under the heap of ruins. They have given or are giving old system, which is now being described, the place to a coal store-there's vandalism for gas cinders or coke has to be slaked with water you!-and an elegant range of buildings is which produces a stifling emell. The result of being erected on the opposite side of the street drawing away this coke, however, is that nothing where the clerks will be accommodated, and but gas coal is left. It may be remarked that the local secretary and engineer will find breath-this scoop, or, as a friend suggested, "cheese. ing space, After forty years, the Hongkong Gas- taster," is a great advance on the ordinary works has renewed its youth and (without be method of charging by hand. coming too intensely classical), risen Phonix- Jike from the ashes,
WITHIN FIVE YEARS. The history of the Casworks to-day is the istory of five years. It is the history of Mr. McCubbin. In that period the cubic feet of gas manufactured has nearly doubled; the list of consumers has more than doubled, which is a record that any engineer might be proud of, although Mr. G. McCubbin, the pre- Bont engineer, Counts that a mere nothing
AT THE WORKS.
▾
AT WANCHAL
+
There is a storage station at Wanchai to
which the gas is conveyed by an 8-inch pipe. Gas engines with exhausters are placed there to draw the gas from the West Point works to the holders. From Wancliai gas is supplied to what is called the Eastern district, the West Point works supplying gan to the centre of the city. At Wanchai the two holders are of 160,000 cubic feet capacity and 100,000 cubic feet respectively, the latter being erected by the Barrowfield Ironworks, Glasgow.
LARGE IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED,
After all, among the many features of the gasworks which arouse the interest of the visitor there is none to be compared with the retort section. Perhaps because that is on account | obviated.
THE 1889 RAINSTORM,
..
of the force and rampageous character of the As previously mentioned the difficulties of retort houses. Perhaps it is due to a lingering supplying a town like Hongkong with light,: love of the doctrine which Calvia preached. | with all its varying levels, are enormous,
Race lotteries at the different private clubs may be looked forward to early next week, as soon as the official programme that will be promptly issued by the Clerk of the Course is made public..
Following are the times ------ Mr. Walker's sub, 1 mile, 7.33,
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Mr. Cruickshank's sub, and Derby, 1 mile, 36 4/5, 105, 1.53 2/5, 2.29.
Mr. Potts's fourth Derby, 1 mile, 37, 1.15,
2.23 1/5.
Mr. Mady's Derby, dark grey, r mile, 38, 15, 1.54), 2.37.
Mr. Dorabjec's sub, mite, (?), ( 7 ), ( ? ), z.ził, La France Rose, mile, (?), 35, 1.07. Mr. Mody's Derby, bay,mile, 38, 1.13 Mr. Mody's Derby, white, mile, 40, 1.18, 1.52 1/5.
Mr. Dorabjee's bay sub, mile, 37 1/5, 1.12. Mr. Macdonald's ioan and another, mile, 40, 1.19, 1.56, 2.24), 3.09).
Mr. Gresson's Ard Patrick and Polka. Sorry, time all missed.
Mr. Gresson's Zodiac, mile, (?), 40, 1.12. Mr. Houston's 2 subs., 1 mile, 38, 1.12, 1.16),
2.24.
35 1/5, 1.1, 1.43), hands down.
Mr. Grasson's a Derby, bay and grey,mile,
Beancake, 1 mile, 391. (7), 1.51 4/5, 2.26, 3.01).
Mr. Apcar's sub, 7 mile, (7), (?), 34.
2.29.
Mr. Moxon's Derby, 1 mile, 40 1/5, 1.17, 1.548,
Mr. Macdonald's 2 subs. 1 mile, (?), 1.16,
mile, 42), 1.22),
1.54, 2.31.
Mr. Mady's black sub,
1.58.
Meat Soup, mile, 1.12. Mr. Levy's Derby, 1 mile, 43, 1.20, 1.58, 2.35. Grafton and Tyra, 1 mile, 42, 1.20, 1.57 1/5, 35, 3.10, 3.44.
||
Į
|
$23
[Blackbird, 14 mite, 41, 1,22),2.05. 2/5, 1243, 3.43 4/5..
Halifax, 'mile, last half 35, 1.08. Forward, t mile, joined by Titmouse 1 mile, 35, 413, 1.51, 2 28 4/5:
Sport Royal, mile: $7, 1.29, 2.05), 3.30. Alladin, it mite, last mile, 36, 1.02, 1.47) 2.22 4/5.
Hijou and Professor in company, 438, 1.23, 206, 2,464, 3.31}.
mila,
Ching, 1 mile, 40, 1.20 2/5, 1.57 3/5, 2:33: 3.05.
Mick, I mile, 38, 1.18, 1.56, 2.29.
The Loafer and The Count raced together for 1 mile; their tinies were missed, so waxe those for Policy and Hacken Schmidt.
5. 5. S.'s Pihaps and l'haps Not, mile, 33 4/5, 1.09, 1.441
Fife, mile, 36 2/5, 1.08. Prairie King and Jungle King, 1 mile, 36). 1.13, 1.51 2/5, 2.30, 3.02).
Lanarks and others, & mile, 33, 1.06). Desperation, inilo, (?), ( 2 ), 1.54, 2.31. Maréchal Niel Rose, mile, 361, 1.11), 1.448" Danny Mann, Mr. Crug up, was unique in his performance of twice round the inner course. EARLY BIRD.
THE RACES.
We are indebted to Mr. T. F. Hough; clerk of the course, for a copy of the official pro- graithe, just issued, for the forthcoming races. Following are the entrants for the Derby, to be raced for on the 22nd prox
Mr. A. V. Apcar's......... Cebu, Mr. Armand's ............ Pickanniny. Mr. Buxey's.......Invincible Rose. Do. ................... Lamarque Rose.
..Empress of India
Rose.
Do.
10.
............. The Gem Rose. Mr. Ellis Kadoorie's ... Cascade,, Mr. H. W. Looker's...... Danny Maan. Mr. D. Macdonald's...... Highland Chief. Mr. G. C. Maxon's ......Noniination." Mr. N. Mumford's ......l'at. Mr. John Peel's
Do.
Do.
Mr. G. H. Potts'
Do.
Do,
Do.
Mr. Wingard's Do.
Mr. Worthy's.......
.....Cotswold, ***...... Croome.
.Ledbury.
Umbrian King. Norman King, Tuscan King. ..Saxon King. Esquimalt. Halifax. The Spirtle,
THE WEST POINT BUILDING Co., ED.
Following is the sixteenth report of the general agents to the ordinary meeting of shareholders, to be held at the company's" offices, Victoria Buildings, at 1145 am. (on Monday, the 30th last-
Gentlemen, the general agents now submit to you a statement of the affairs of the com. pany, and balance sheet for the year ending 31st December, 1904.
The net profits for the year, including the' amount brought forward from the previous year, amount to $41,79711. From this amount an interim dividend of $1.50 per share has al- ready been paid, and alter writing off directors! and anditor's fees, it is now proposed to pay a final dividend of $1.70 per share, making, a total dividend for the twelve months of $3.20 per share, and to carry forward the balance of $1,247.1 to credit of a new profit and loss account,
DIRECTORS.
Hon. Mr. C. W. Dickson having retired, Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson has been appointed in his stead, and this appointment now requires confirmation.
Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson and Mr. A. J. Ray- mond retire by rotation, bat offer themselves for re-election.
AUDIT.
The accounts have been audited by Mr. C. W. May, who offers himself for re-election.
A. SHELTON HOOPER, Secretary to the Hongkong Land lovestment and Agency Co., Ld, General Agents for the West Point Building
Go, Li
Hongkong, toth January, 1905.
Following is the balance sheel to 31st De-
cember, 1904. Liabilities.
Capital
....$625,000.00
Accounts payable........................... Balance of profil and loss
account...............................$11,797.11 Lessinterim dividend paid 18,750,00
A large crowd of ladies and gentlemen, among whom were several new comers, was on the course at an early hour this morning. Operations commenced before the break of day, and a big list of ponies went out to gallop. The King's and The Rose's were in strong evidence. Among the more notable achievements was that of Danny Mans, the Derby pony discarded by the Ewo stable and bought over by Mr. Looker, by whom the con testant for the blue riband of the season has been entrusted to Mr. Craig who, of the bud ding jockeys in Hongkong, perhaps gives pro. mise of most success in the equestrian line. This is, however, the opinion of some, and may te taken seriously or not according as the per- Cost of property formance of the rider is judged. Danny Mann may, or may not, be a Derby horse for Derby honours, but if he is in the straight when the winner passes the post he might obtain the judge's verdict as being at the tail end of the large batch promised for the race of the season, Mr. Craig galloped his charge over the inner course twice round this morning in what, by some, was considered a "good" (sic) time. The swiftness of the pace may fairly be ima gined when it is said that in the romp home Mr. Craig lost his head gear. His "rapid" time was missed.
Following are the times:-
Ledbury, mile, (7), (7), 1.57, 2.23. Set, I mile, 38, 1.13, (?), 2.27, Polka, 1 mile, 39, 1.19, 1.58, 2.32. Ca Canny and Grafton, in company, a mile, galloped in darkness; time missed.
Highland Fling and a grey pony, one mile in company, 47, 1.30, 2.06), 2.40.
Wee Macgregor escorted by Highland Chief, 14 mile, 431, 1.27, 2.07, 2.43), 3.18.
Highlander, with his stable companion High- and Laddie, it mile, 45, 1.26, 2061, 2.47 2/5, 3.21.
Zodiac, 1 mile, (?), 36), 1.14 4/5, 1.458. Black Monday and Mr. Johnstone's K.0.5.B. in company, 14 mile, (?), 34, 1.13. 1.49, 2.24).
Scottish King, 4 mile, 40, 1.17, 1.58, 2.29. 3.00.
Heather King, 1 mile, 35, 1.11, 1.45 3/5, 2.33, 3.54 3/5.
Desert King, mile, 34 1/5, 1.09 2/5, 1:43. 2.21 1/5, 2.53 1/5.
Highland King, it mile, 36, 1,108, 1:45.
Saxon King, 17 mile, 39, 1.12, 1.49, 2.24 2/5, 257.
Cast........
PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT.
Dr.
December 31, 1904.
795.87
Assets
23,047.11
$648,842.98
$611,830.80
37,012.18
$648,842.98
$3,247-75
565.37
Crown rent and rates,
9,042.14
12
Repairs to buildings, &c.......
2,197,50
11
Commission to agents,
2,128.13
Interim dividend of $1.50 for
half-year,
18,750.00
If
Balance to be appropriated as
follows:-
Directors' fees,
$500.00 50.05
To Fire insurance..................
Charges,
ト
Auditor's fees,
Dividend of $1.70 per sh., 21,250,00 Balance to be carried to
new account... 1,247,10
23017.11
$58,978.00
Cr. January 1, 1904.
December 31st, 1904.
$1,362.54
56,224.14.
1355.32
36.00
38,978.pp
By Balance brought forward,
By Rent.com
Interest....
14
Serip fees.....
Norman King tried conclusions with his Examined, Derby partner over 1 mile, 37, 1.13, 1.49, 2.27, 3.01.
La France Rose, 1 mile, 35, 1.11, 1.46, 2.183. Lamarque Rose, 1 mile, 34 1/5, X.08 3/5, 145, 12.20.
A SHELTON Hooper, Secretary to the Hongkong Land Investment & Agency Co., Ldụ
General agents for the. West Point Building
Co., Ld.
Directors:
C. P. CHATER, A. J. RAYMOND, I have compared the above statement with the books and vouchers of the company and have found the same to be correct.
C. W. MAY,
Auditor, Hongkong, toth January, 1905..
"Coronet Rose, mile, (7), 36, 1.11, 1.45.
Mr. Mody's two Derby probables were sent out together and negotiated the distance of it mile in the best time of the morning, 32, 1.06, 1.40 4/5, 2,19, 2.55 4/5. ---
Ard Patrick and Lyra were the next couple | THE HONGKONG LAND INVEST- to come under attention. mile, 381, 1.18. 1.56, 2.28.
Mr. John Peele's Derby entrants, Cotswold and Croome followed and the time-keeper's register for their mile trot was 38, 1.17 4/5, 1.55 3/5, 2.27.
Nomination, 1 mile, 39, 1.15, 1.51, 9.27, 3.014. Spirtle, I mile, 37, 1/131, 1.52, 3.54 3/54·· Squaler, I mile, 37 1/5, 1.131; 1-498) #6331,
MENT AND AGENCY CO., LD.
Following is the sixteenth report of the board of directors to the ordinary meeting of share. holders to be held at the Company's offices, Victoria Buildings, at noon on Monday, the 30th inst.
Gentlemen, the directors have now to submit I'to you a general statement of the affair of the