HISTORY IN THE MAKING
'HỒN. MR. J. P. BRÁGA TRACES GROWTH OF KOWLOON AND NEW TERRITORIES
Respected for many years for his consistent Interest in the Improvement of Kowloon and the lensed Territories, the Hon. Mr. J. P. Braga enhanced his reputation by an able address on the subject given at the Rotary Club luncheon at the Hongkong Hotel Roof Garden yesterday.
The speaker traced the history of the peninsula from the perlod when it formed a mennce to the Hongkong settlers by reason of the pirates and marnuders who infested its hills, to the present day when It yields'a large revenue from its establish- ed position as an integral part of the Colony.
Sir Henry Pollock, himself an old resident here, recalled the days when Hongkong's defences were wide open to altnek ' from the opposite hills and clunnel, and said that the possession of land on the mainland was driven home to them as a necessary protection.
THE
HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 1935.
carried out with tact, discretion, and Peak to Tsun Wan Shatin and the imaginary boundary line between sympathy, with native customs and Lalchikok, joining Nathan Road ex- British and Chineso territory. This prejudicos. It will, therefore, be tension back to Salisbury Read-the geographical boundary consists of a realised how solicitous the Imperial starting point of a magnificent road narrow alley not more than about 15: | Government was in pursuing its that excitos universal admiration. feet wide, on one side of which, Le.,; polley of colonial administration that Loglen! development followed the the British side, the slope enjoy the has always regarded native customs introduction of wheeled vehicles for amenities of electric lighting and on and habits, whether religious or transport of passengers and goods. the other ground-nut oil and karosERD social, with consideration and In-The motor road opened up many ex-furnish the dim Hghts for their oc- variable sympathy.
cellent sites for residential purposes. cupants' needs. Mr. Chamberlain's instructions re-To-day a network of beautiful homes garding the early government of the covers the New Territories, mostly agricultural possibilities of the mala- Torritaries are almost a paraphrase buildings of the bungalow type with land in relation to the inhabitants of of Capt. Elliot's first proclamation to garden attached. Recently completed, this Colony. At the risk of imposing the Chinese Inhabitants of Hongkong the green porcelain-roofed Issued on the Int. February, 1841. residence of His Excellency the yout indulgence for a few minutes: summer on your good nature I would ask for By that proclamation the Chineko Governor standing on an elevation at looker. were "secured in the free exercise of Fanling commands an extensive view their religious rites, ceremonies, and of the country for many miles around,
be a kreat inducement to content and loyalty, to the popularising of British rule.' So true has this nxiom proved
work ia
I have not yet touched on the
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author's own phrase)-"sgized Wei-ese apparently under military direc- Convention included this most im-the Castle Peak Road are yearly known throughout the Colony. I ro- volent activity in the New Territories..
was the
jirler."
I have vivid recollection of the
Considerable
of the nucleus
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Ex
Now!
MAY BE PURCHASED BY JAPAN
the
under Chinos
In the early days of the Now social customs, and in the enjoyment A large number of the better-class Territories, na far as they are known of their lawful privato property and week-end residences of local "taipans to us, only very coarse Chinese crops interests. They would be governed, are to be found at Sheung Shui, were rained by the formers, auch na ponding Her Majesty's further plea- Including Sir Robert Ho Tung's house aweet potatoes, yam, taro and peanuts sure, according to the laws, customs, on its spacious and beautifully-laid- of an indifferent quality. With description of torture excepted)." and usages of the Chindeo | (every | out, grounds.
view to encouraging the farmers in At Fanling is situated the exclusive Kroup of anateurs assisted by a Gov. We learn from an official despatch 18-hole golf course of the Royal; ernment expert fluanced and organized The speaker said: There is 1898, and was signed by H.B.M. that one of the earliest questions Hongkong Golf Club in idenlur the first, agricultural show in 1927. Chinese proveth with which many of Minter Plenipotentiary, Sir Cloud which the Special Commissioner kad roundings. The greens ard kept in 1 was a great success. The efforts you are acquainted. It is that "he. MacDonald, on hellf of the Bri- land registration, with its thousands course compares favourably with the New Territories Agricultural A
to tackle was the very difficult ons of perfect "condition and. I am told, the of the proinoters and patrons of tha who rides the tiger dare mot dine tish Government, and by the foto mount." This proverbs supplied an illustrious Viceroy and famous minis of titles and innumerable lots asbest in Europe and America.
ciation have unquestionably produced wide- A littl ambulant author with the catching ter, 1 Hung-Chang, and Hou Yingying in their size and ag
beyond Fanling, at good results; and the Empire Fair of title of his book, "Riding the Tiger, hui, for the Government of China, read in their location as the extent Kwant, on Die Shataukok Road, is 1992, which for the first time in the ous of the most recent best sellers. The document bore the seal of the of the territory involved. It was tho the race course of the Fanling fant history of the Colony brought together The reference to the book is merely | Taung-li Yames, by which name the of State that "Security for all rea-steeplechase and cross-country trees a unique collection of New Territories
expressed conviction of the Secretary & Race Clab,
whero enjoyable to the notice of European residents. to emphasise the dangerous pat into Foreign Office was known in China sonable rights in regard to Innd willings are periodically held in winter. products, including fresh fish from which one is liable to fall—however under the, ok regime. able or versatile the author may be
Transfer Resisted
Repulse Bay Rival
Cheung Chau, and eggs and poultry of taking for accepted facts state- Upon relinquishing his government
Castle Peak promises to rival Re- was a striking instance of what the from Taipo, Fanling, and Un" Long, ments that are open to serious doubt. of the Colony, Sir Henry Blake res to be that it was only a very short pulse Bay as a popular acaste resort. New Territories can be nails to pra- To. Hlustrate my point, an excerpt Intel that "the taking over of the while ago that agricultural land in near the beach, a few are under cons-Fair, so ally organised by Mr. J. A. Several costly houses have been erected duen. The poultry section of the from the book in question serves my New Territory was not necomplished private ownership, not larger in area truction at the present time, and others. Alves, gave evidence of the pos- purpose admirably. The author without some would have his readers believe that inflamed the minds of the people by have been worth more than a few position on an eminence, known as the commercial scale in the New Terri-pleasing to'ile cyc
trouble....Agitators than nhout. two acres, tant could not are in contemplation. In after the Sino-Japanese War of 1894, false statements as to the result of dollars before the lensing of the Boulder Site," formation
unique sibility of poultry breeding on Territories with tropical verdure do SAGHALIEN'S FUTURE when Russia seized Port Arthur and our occupation to such an extent that Territories in 1898, changed hands at about completed for n summer bullt, the South Manchurian Railroad, armed resistance to the transfer was the price of $12,500-a price that idence for Sir Elly Kadoorie, whose model of a modern farm the gates of Kam Tin Hills on the Sheungshut rond tories. Among the beneficial resulta A group of white buildings of the England in a panie at, kering all the agreed upoti,... The Police and troops must have been beyond the Dream of belief and faith in the future of the which are hospitably thrown open by bears the legend "Ho Tung's Child refollowing the Fair, there in to-day a cottage type nestling at the feet of presente distributed-megning the who proceeded lease of Kwangchow-wan to
to Tulpo Ju pre Avarice to obtain by the the paratory to the ceremony of holsting owner.
original Territories has led him to acquire its proprietors to visitors. It is in Welfare Centre." These buildings French, and the "grabbing"
ut the Ang
the 17th. April, 1899, were
land, promote industries, and devolop the San Tin district Kinachow by Gormany (that to the attacked by a large number of Chin-
Origin of Shing Mun
of the New To the gift of Lady Ilo Tung; they undertakings that promise well for the Territories, and
London. April 23. its products are draw attention to the medical bene. It is pleasing to remember that the future. The numerous beaches along
The Oilandera Journal says that hal-wed and the lease of the Kowlomon Peninsula opposite Hongkong."
Ultimately order was restored partant provision for safeguarding coming more popular not only with A title beyond, at Pingslins, a new fer to the "Sunny" Leghorn Farm.
Kadourie Kindness
Japan is trying to purchase And the withdrawal of the troops was What is the true history of the attended by demonstrations of good was provided that "there will be picnic parties from Ilangkong,
the natives of the New Territories: bathers from Kowloon but also with farm, bearing the description, "The their origin to Sir Elly Kadoorle and with a view to securing valuable The activities in that direction owe northern Saghallen from Russia eession of Old Kowloon 7 I must lake will from the inhabitants, to whom your memory back to earlier the presence of the troops brought inlitants of the district lacluded in largely frequented by
ILP
ue expropriation or expulsion of the
New Life," and specialising in the his sons, Messrs. Lawrence and flumice oil deposits which the U.S.S.R. period than the leasing of the New freedom from taxation, security of within the Extension, and that,
The famous Castle Prak Monastery cearing of pedigreed Leghorns, is in Kadoorio, on the cecasion of after has never adéquately developed Territories in order the give you a their property, and a market for theirjutad is required for public ollees, for Its picturesque rockery and lovele There are several other similar the late Mrs. R. M. Dyer was ono of Japan in the event of war- Buddhist the initial stages of development. noon pienie to Castle Peak Bay when fearing the seizure of the plant by if pilgrkos and in visited by Europeans true historical background. So little produce. was thought of the value of Kowloon, Sir (then Mr.)
poultry farms. fortiüication, or the like, for uleiul garden James Haidano į
Inid out after the char
the party. The poverty of the V-Renter or of its possibilitles of develomnent, | Stewart Lockhart, at one time Ite-urposes, it shall be bought at a fair icteristically Chinese
lagers of Tun Mun and their alimenta style. One
Lady Ho Tung's Work At the time of its cession
The lower part of the island of fo the gistrar General (the then title of the
method to et across from one side
appealed to our Shanghal visitors and British, that the Deed of Lease re-holder of the present office of Swere- 3 morning when, Sir Cecil Clementi the ascent to the Monastery in for the would be an unpardonable emission E. and Felix A; Joseph, and Mr. E., after the Russo-Japanese war, the
of the Bay to the other before making When speaking of the farms, it their friends the brothers Messes, Saghalien was ceded
Le Japan elted that **Tsimshatsui and neighbourhood, consisting for the Colonial Secretary, painted er invited an offeini party an a visis to visitor to be derived in slipper fruits were credit not given to the founder M. Raymond, who, then and there portion above Latitude 50 north most part of barren bills that cannot first Special Cotamissioner for the Shine Min Gorge when the water-propelled by sumpor women at the of the "Tung Ying Hluk Po, that is contributed substantial monetary gifts remaining in Russian hands.
warks project was about to commence, ours wearing the singular be cultivated, has formed a place of New Territories, e estimated that after touring the whole of the Shing covering made up of a dark-blue hand- farm at Sheung Shui. In the very modest organisation, to render medicallis 14,000
head-Sir Robert Ho Tung's experimental which formed
The area of the ceded territory rekart for thieves and outlaws, who, the total revenus from taxation coukli un area, an open air mecting was kerchief folded diagonally and tied early days of the New Territories. aid to the villagers of the avalling themselves of the immediate be placed at £16,000, That being the held with the Chinese representatives under the chin.
square miles and proximity of the City of
Victoria, ense, the Secretary of State Instructed of the numerous villages within the
Lady Ho Tung tailed quivily und un- Territories. These worthy efforts Population is about 300,000. constantly cross to Hongkong, and the Governor that that amount was
were charitably alded by eminent commit. depre-Intions in that settle the income that flis Excellency would Taun Wan district that will be sub-ment, has taken place between. Kow-model experimental farm. Those who Hongkong Rotarians of the medical the position of Hongkong under the
industrial develop ceasingly to lay out her 00 neres as a ment to the serious injury of British have at his disposal for the first year merged when the Shing Mun Dam is loon and Castle Peak during recent know of her carlies efforts and the profession and were merged later, old regime was simply ludicrous. Be subjects who can obtain nu regress or two for expenditure upon the Now completed. It was on the question of years. To mention a few of the new personal inconveniences she endured after long negotiations, in the larger fore the New Territories were taken against these Garniders."
Territories. That expenditure was in Price for the resumption of land that industries that have been introduced in designing and laying out her ex- organisation Under the direction. Lycemun Pass and half the waters the St. John Am- over all the northern shore of Details of Territory
the nature of initial cost of a simple farmers had their own view as during the last few years:
the conferener took place. The Chi in this section of the New Territories much of appreciation of those ploncer- of the Honourable the Director of of the Pass were
tensive grounds cannot withhold.a full bolance Brigade. To combat the allegation I have administration which ut .frat Just quoted, I need maly cite the first amaunted
Sanitary to the value; so had the Government. little more than super- Sir Cecil Clementi, through the Hon. Standard-Vacuum
Services, jurisdiction, as was the area extend- two lines of the preamble of the rising local bodies and protecting life Dr. Kolewall who acted as inter- Laichikok necessitated extensive,
of the ing efforts that are at the present day Medical and The large oil installation
bearing fruit. Lady Ho Tung's farm travelling clinics have been organised ing from there right sway to the west Convention for the Extension of and property. The farger question of preter, dressed the gathering, and clamation of the foreshort, At Tyun port of the Empire cont
Company #t
received special mention in the Re- and are controlled by officers of the of the range of kills behind the Kuw Hongkong. It is formally stated in the expentiture on public works was!
Re- Medical Department. By happy loon Peninsula. That would show that document that whereas it has left over for subsequent consideration pointed out that the land on which Wan Bay the Texas Company kources Commission, and the products combination of all these benevolent how true was the Preamble of the for many years past been recognised as the Territories progresaeth, When the villages stood would be required established its oil depot. The Hume of her farm and the experimental efforts, they have since developed into Convention in saying that that an extension of Hongkang terri. Sir James Lockhart returned to the
for a most important public purpose, Pipe Works will be found
in this nature of her work at Sheung Shui the establishment of clinica distributed necessary to extend our boundaries tory is necessary for the proper de Secretariat. Mr. F. R. Halifax was for the big Shing Mun Reservoir to pipes for the second harbour pipe line the Home and Cottage Industries to the deserving farmers who owe
namely, that of providing the ground district; this factory supplied the furnished on extensive field of enquiry throughout the New Territories that for the proper protection of the fence nu profertim of the Cany, appointed the first District Magistrale,
in connection with the local section are to-day such a blessing and boon Colony. It has now been ageved between the The Magistrate's residence, known.118
supply much-needed water for tho augment the water supply of Hong-
As the speaker had pointed out, Governments of Great Britain and "Island House," occupies a most inhabitants of Hongkong. He assured kong. The Pure Cane Molasses Co. Committee, of which her husband. Sir no muck to their henefactors for the the aim of the Government had al- Chinn that the imita af British prominent and picturesque position the Chinese villagers that the Gov-af Landes have their tanks for Robert Ho Tung, was Chairman, and assistance obtained in maternity cases ways been to improve conditions for territory shall be enlarged under then the Taipo Bond below the bridge. treat would treat them fairly and storage of molasses in bulk on the by whom the report of that local and the alleviation of Buffering in the inhabitants of the New Territories Lense to the extent indicated, general- it is a conspicuous landnork
that if the sites were to be resumed reclaimed shores of Sham Tseng Uny.mitted to the Imperial Government. is heir.
section of the Commission was sub cases of allments to which he flesh and, if his memory served blm right, ly, on the annexed map." The land
the owners would be accommodated Near by are the Revenue Advance
buildings of the
the Government refrained from col covered by the extension secured un-
under similar if not better conditions Hongkong Brewery Co., which is aup-
An extensive orchard of recent date
Defence Question Compare the £16,000 of 1808 with der the terms of the Kowloon Con- the. revenue collected during 1933, besides receiving.
fecting taxes from the Chinese re in other parts of the New Territories, plying a beverage of increasing poput Talpo is that of a prominent Chin- Mr. M. K. Lo, President, called on sidents there for the first few years. vention involved an ores DA the win the Northern District accounted pensation. The amount of such com- 18anufacture
monetary com-larity Two large factors for these gentleman fram Canton who en- Sir Henry. Pollock to thank the The President welcomed the fol- mainland of 256 square miles, and of for totul collection of a little over penuation was to be left over
Towing guests: Messrs. Noel, Hugh, the islands. 90 square miles, being a $200,000 and the District Office South determination.
bricks are to-day in Jays the distinction of having been speaker. for active operation nt Castle Tenk. They at one time an uncrowned king."
Sir Henry said he was probably James and Tony Braga, sons of the total of 376 square miles, or 240,640 about $10,000, the total collections
are the South Chion Brick Works and The Ma On Shan Fann in the Shatin one of a very few people present who speaker: Mr. J. M. da Rocha, Mr. Acres in all. To carry out a for the two districts falling short of
the Ceramic Brick Works, both Chin-district in another worthy of mention; could remember Hongkong before the M. II. Lo, Mr. J. D. Litton, and Mr. trigonometrical, and cadastral survey $800,000 by only $30,000. This large
It is in European ownership.
New Territories were taken ovor. F. C. Parnwell (England), a staff of surveyors and denarcators totul does not take into account the history
I have spoken enough on the early ese-owned and operated.
The Botanical & Forestry Depart. The first move in the taking over An invitation was received from of the New Territories. I was obtained from the Surveyor revenue collected by the Imports and will ouw proceed within the finit of
Agricultural Advance
nient malitzing its nursery at process was made by the Navy League the Canton, Rotary Club to all mem- General's department of India. When Exports Department. So that during my time shortly to outline the pre- Light & Power Co.'s comprehensive Golf Course. The stand erected by
With the completion of the China Sheungshui on the borders of the of which he was honorary secretary bers and their Indies to attend the it was completed 316,926 lots had the thirly odd years of British
at that time and for sometimo after. Club's Charter Day dinner at heen demarcated. The Lanil Court, ministration, the
ad-sent-day development. Ils most scheme for the supply of electricity Mr. H. Green, its superintendent, and It was obvious then to those who Nam Yuen Restaurant from 8 p.ni. on' which had been established for dealing Territories has increased more than girding the Territories for 665 miles Territories it is reasonable to expect al agricultural show, never fails
the striking feature is the circular road for light and power to the New his staff, of green exhibits at the considered matters of defence that | April 26, with holdings and nud claims, con- firefeld. At the present time, auch from the Star Ferry Pier. The first increased commercial and industrial to attract attention. The reafforesta sidered Ters than 166,231 cases. has been the wonderful progress in and the main road to be constructed development throughout the Terrion of the hills, in pursuance of the The territory in divided into eight development that, upon
single was the ono to Teipo Market a dis- tories. The electric supply service Forestry Department's settled policy districts and forty-seven sub-districts. scheme for the provision of potable tance of 18 miles at a cost of nearly encircles the whole of the New Terri of clothing those bills with camphor Those best knowa are Shatin, Taipo, water for the inhabitants of the quarter million dollars. Then by torles, and branches off Fanting to trees and the pine, among Fanling, Sheungshul, Autou, Un-long, Colony, that known as the Shing Mun regular stages the road was Pingshan, Castle Peak, and Tsun-wan. Waterworks and their
taken the district of Shutaukok on the Bri- varieties, known among the Chinese contingent beyond to Fanling and thence by way tish border. Visitors to this farthest | as There are 33 Island within the works, the expenditure of about of Sheangshui to Au Tau and Ping-point of the New Territories will have pine, is converting the amphitheatre na mici chuno, c... harae's tail lensed territory. Some of these, are $15,000,000 is contemplated on this shab, uninhabited, and most of them are magnum opus of the Public Works
It was continued vin Castle been struck by the curious sight of of hare bills in the valleys of the New very small and of little or no im- Department. That it bad been portiner Of the islands thonix visualised even at that distant date principal ones are Ts'ing I, Ma Wan, that the catchment areas supplied by Lautao, Ping Chou, Ch'cung Chau, the high mountain ranges might sup and Lamma. The two best known to ply ground for the construction of Europeans are the islands of Lantao storage reservoirs to increase the and Cheung Chau which, at the time water supply of the Colony if an! of their being taken over had when necessary, n citation of the population of 6,860 and 5,000. re- jopinion of Mr. Ormsby, the Director spectively. Lanino is larger than of Public Works at the time, will Hongkong
suffles. Turtle Hunting Little or no Improvement is notice construction of such a reservoir on Mr. Ormsby considered that "the able there, but Cheung Chau has the southern or chatern slope come into prominence for wo rea-Tainio Shan for the supply of water your. First, as a summer resort for ta Kowloon was very desirable, in foreign Protestant missionaries sent-order to meet the wants of the rapid- tered over the South-Western pro-ly increasing towns on that peninsula, vinces of China, and for its nagni-by gravitation, and thus set free the ficent bathing benches. The waters large acreage then reserved as around Ch'oung Choo furnish exentchment area, and render it possible callent fishing ground. The catches to dispense with the expensivo pun by the large fleet of fishing, junks ping establishment." The are brought daily to the markets of station was erected in the district of pumping Hongkong and Kowloon, and find Yaumati, not far from the bungalow ready sale. Residents and visitors "Delmarin the ownership of my Indulge in turtle bunting on the fare-grandfather, Mr. Delfino Noronha, ahore of the Island.
who enjoyed the distinction of being
Tevenue of
.
of
At the Ume of the leasing of these the first European realdont to settle Territories, the total population, in on the mainland and who built the the absence of any oficial census, was first brick-and-mortar allting In estimated at 100,000. The population Taumati when the police were housed is made up of, Puntin, Hakkas, and in a matshed put up on the grounds Tankar. The Puntis are the natives of the present Magistracy in that and are considered the aristocrats, district. My grandfather owned Farm The Hakkes are known amongst the Lots 2 and 3 with a magnificent beach Chinese as "Strangers"; they are on the foreshoro when, as a child. Immigrants from the North and have nearly sixty years ago, I took a preference for settling on the first loasons in swimming. higher land; becauio of this pre- ference they have been called "Chin-
Consideration for. NativeK
my
oss flighlandera." They do not don From the outset, the instructions the Highland kilts, however, nor are from His Majesty's Secretary of they in the habit of Imbibing the State for the Colonies to the Gover- mollow Highland dow of Vat They nor of Hongkong made the, Governor are a hardy ruce and their womenfolk clearly to understand that the Naw are distinguished by a circular bambon Territories should be regarded as on Chead our fringed with a, blue-dyodį integral part of the Colony, and, as cotton vell for protection against the | such should be brought under the un when working in the fields. The general administration of the Colony. Tonkos, aru the boat people, who in- Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, tho then habit the creeka and waterways. Secretary of State, wrote to the late The Kowloon Convention was made Bir Henry J. Binko that tho ad- Pekin on the 0th day of June, ministration of the laws, should be
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