1929-04-03 — Page 8

WING SING & CO.

WHOLESALE & RETAIL DEALERS

in

ART & CURIO

Rare Old Ivoryware, Brassware, Amberware, Cloisonne, Lacquer, China Tea Sets, etc., etc.

70, Nathan Road, KOWLOON,

.\ Hong Kong.

IN AND AROUND HONG KONG

car

to

(Continued from Page 1.)

Chinese living in narrow streets where one can almost stretch handa across the "thoroughfare," and where glimpses may be had of typical Chinese life in all its varied phases.

A good combination is a bus or drive Aberdeen motor

(already referred to) and a tour through the Chinese fishing village. If time permits there is also a quaint little hamlet, Appllchau, which can be reached in a few minutes by sampan. The return journey from Aberdeen can be made by launch, in which case the scenery fringing the harbour approaches will be found very refreshing after the spell through the Chinese quar- ters of Aberdeen and Appllchau.

For the individual who cares not for the joys of motoring a casual walk through the heart of the city will reveal much of Interest in the way of public buildings and statues, including-although some way out -the University of Hong Kong There are taxicabs and jinrikishas, not to mention sedan chairs, but in the case of the two latter the legal iare should always be ascertained beforehand

the otherwise 83. "stranger within the gates" may find himself the victim of profiteer- ing.

Chair and Jinrikisha Fares For chairs the tariff is-two bearers--15 cents for the first ten minutes; 20 cents for a quarter of an hour; 30 cents fur half an hour; and 25 cents for every subsequent hour. For four bearers the fares are exactly double, with the excep- tion that every subsequent hour after the first la charged 40 cents.

Jnrikisha charges are: 10 cents for 10 minutes; 20 cent for a quarter of an hour, 30 cents for half an hour; and 10 cents for an hour.

Kowloon and New Territories A reference to

Kowloon has already been made in the third of the suggested tours-namely, to Castle Peak, Fanling, Taipo and Shatin.

A good afternoon's outing can be spent at Kowloon City, omnibuses to which run from the Star Ferry at Kowloon Point (10 cents fare from Hong Kong to Kowloon). En * route a glimpse is afforded of the whole of the Kowloon Bay, with Lyeemoon Pass in the distance, .

Eventually the granite wall of the old city of Kowloon will be reached, containing the old-time residence of the official represents- tive of the Emperor of China.

There is also a School for the Blind, where dainty articles may be purchased.

Returning by a bus marked "Yaumati" the tourist can alight in Jordan-road and spend an enjoy able time in King's Park, where are laid out football, tennis, and bowls grounds for various Clubs and institutions.

"home" of local cricket is the Hong Kong Cricket Club opposite Murray Barracks in Queen's Road.

on

It is this ground that interport matches are played, teams coming once in two years from Shanghai and less frequently from Malaya.

THE CHINA MAIL SPECIAL TOURISTS' SUPPLEMENT.

ANCIENT CHINESE CURRENCY

Demand Drafts Nearly 2,000 Years Ago!

"FLYING MONEY" OF TANG DYNASTY

note started from "Fei Chush," or "nying money!! of the Tang Dynasty and "chiantza" of the Sung Dynasty, o sample of which cam, however, at present be found.]

During the Sung Dynasty notes were extene.vely printed with no adequate reserve for the issuance, Paper notes were found every. where, or buying daily necessities, Lecturing at the Rotary Club at, rency kaown, the coin being in the paying taxes, and defraying public the Astor House Hotel recently, shape of a shovel. This was fol- expenses, in fact, for all sorts of Rotarian Mr. K. P. Hu of the Pe-lowed by Dau Pi" or knife cur purposes until the value of notes king-Mukden, Railway gave a most rency, the coin being in the shape dropped to about one per cent. interesting address Dn Chinese of a knife, another of the most The ill effect of the notes, however, Coins and Currency. He supple-commonly used implements for did not become serious as the de- limited to the mented his remarks with several harvesting grain and for general nom.nation was valuable specimens of ancient coins, use. One end of the coin was a "Kwan" or one thousand cash only. and photographic remnants of old round ended handle with a hole in During the Chin Dynasty, about currency notes. Among the latter the centre to facilitate tying to-the beginning of the thirteenth cen was an imprint of an old draft, gether and the other end a knife tury notes with denominations such bearing a chop signifying that it blade. This explains why the as oré hundred, four hundred, one was payable on demand at Chengtu, Chinese character "L" standing thousand "Kwan," or one million. Ten years later Nanking, and one other city, and for profit is composed of two char-cash, were issued. carrying a warning that fraudulent acters, knife and a grain, and also the value of the notes dropped to imitation of these drafts rendered has the meaning of sharpness. As auch an extent that notes with ag- the the guilty party liable to capital time went on coin took thegregated face value of 120 million "Kwan," or 120 billion cash, were Where to Dine or Stay

punishment and offering a reward form of the round end with the For the tourist cooped up at ses of 300 "Kwan" to those giving in handle omitting the blade. This worth only one tael of sycee! The

are many formation of such forgery. Mr. evolved into the round coin with a modern mark and rouble, there for days on end there facilities for lunch (or tiffin) Hu also exhibited a form of cur- aquare hole, which form has been fore, had nothing on China!!

Including the rency made of metal of the size in use to the present day. This

Ming Dynasty and dinner,

Hotel In Pedder and shape of an old-fashioned key, has been called "Chuan Pi," or During the Yuan Dynasty, about Hong Kong

Land Crawford's Rebut minus teeth. This, he said.spring currency, signifying the re-1280, a certain amount of reserve Street;

Des Voeux Road was used as a draft as early ag semblance between the currency was provided for the issue of notes. staurant, in

This imple and the spring water which is sup- Consequently the currency system (along which the tramcars run); the days of Christ. the King Edward Hotel, the Savoyment was engraved with a number posed to flow continuously without was greatly improved. Toward the end of the Dynasty, however, owing Hotel, and the Alexandra Restaur- of characters, some of them in interruption. ant in Ice House Street (directly goid, in order to prevent imitation.

As business grew and travelling to extensive military operations, so wharf), The draft was bought in one city became more frequent the demand many notes were issued that notes opposite the Star Ferry also the Kowloon Hotel and the and payment was returned on pre- for the medium of exchange in-with the face value of 50 taels

The creased. Carrying of coins became would not buy ten lbs. of rice. Hotel Kowloon sentation in another city.

in Peninsula

manufacture of this currency was elumsy and inconvenient, and some

Very few notes were issued dur- the minutes drive' from (a few

very complicated and ordinary per-substitute had to be sought.

ing the Ming Dynasty and the only Forry in a jinrikisha).

Paper Notes

samples left were printed during In Des Voeux Road and other suns could not do it.

It was said.in one of the Con- the Hung Wu period. streets there are many Chinese

fucian Classics that as early as the

Sign For Profit

There were no notes issued dur

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1929.

KWONG SANG

ART & CURIO

EXPERT,

JADE JEWELLERY, CHINESE ANTIQUES,

EMBROIDERY,

ART BLACKWOOD

FURNITURE.

St. George Building, Ice House Street, Opposite Star Ferry, `

One pair hand carved red Incquer Keenlung Vases A.D. 1736.

“FIVE DRAGON TEMPLE”

Giant Brass Image

A KOWLOON CITY PLACE OF WORSHIP

restaurants for those who like to days China was essentially an agri- first part of the Chow Dynasty, ing the. first part of the Manchu history of the giant "Chan Mo" vealed the

sample Chinese dishes:

The

Mr. Hu said that in the ancient

cultural country, consequently the about 1.000 B.C., a kind of currency Miscellaneous Information

principal assets of the people were note consisting of a piece of cloth Radio Telegraph Office

farming implements. In the pro-two inches wide by two feet long, (above the Post Office in Pedder cess of bartering, implements such chopped with a Government Seal, Street) is open day and night for as shovels, spades, ec., formed the was used. Probably this was the the transmission and reception of principal medium of exchange. earliest form of currency note ever radio, messages and for reporting "Tsan Pi," or shovel currency, was vessels entering the harbour. The therefore the earliest type of cur- charge to most vessels is 30 cents per word with a minimum charge of $3.

There are branches of the East-picturesque spot at the mouth of Com the Canton River, with the ruins of ern Extension, Telegraph pany and the Northern Telegraph the San Paulo, Canoes Gardens Company in Connaught Road and Grotto, and Fan-tan Gambling (facing the water front and just Saloons.

Steamers leave Hong Kong on beyond the Hong Kong Club). These are open day and aight for week days at 8 am and 2 p.m. the transmission of cablegrams to and Macao at 8 am, and 2 p.m. Passage 4 hours. Single journey any part of the world.

Cable rates are: To Europe via Suez, .$1:65 per word; to America, $1.70 to $2.30; to Canada, $1.90 to $2.30; and to Australis, $1.35.

The postage rates are: Four cents per ounce to British terri- turies and China; 10 cents per ounce to America and other for- eign countries.

Travellers' cheques can be cash- ed and payments made on letter of credit issued by other bankers, by Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son, the O.P.R., and the American Ex- presa Co.

The principal exchange banks are The Hong Kong and Shang- hai Banking Corporation, Charter- ed Bank of India, Australia, and China, the Mercantile Bank of India, the Banque de l'lado-Chine, and the City National Bank of New York (International Banking Corporation)-atl situated in

Queen's Road Central.

For other useful information concerning Hong Kong the tourist may be recommended to purchase a copy of the "Dollar Directory" published at SA. Wyndham Street.

CANTON

As an alternative a visit may be commended to Kowloon Tong, The Commercial Capital and which lies off the main bus and most interesting City of South nolor road in Kowloon, namely, China, is in direct com- Nathan Road. This is destined to|munication with Hong Kong be a model settlement and garden by steamer railway.

There city combined, and the self-are daily services of steamers contained houses, each with a strip both directions. The Journey. Is of garden, are a distinct change about 6 to 8 hours by steamer, from the row upon row of flata according to steamer and tide, and which the vehicles pass in hours by train. Nathan and other roads in Kow- loon.

4

On arrival in Canton visitors are met by an experienced and compet- Lovers of lawn bowls are well ent guide who has conducted the catered for. Besides the rinks of principal visitors through this fas- the Club de Recreio at King's Park cinating City for many years. The there are bowling greens at the tour usually embraces Chun-ka-chi Kowloon Bowling Green Club, in Ancestral Temples, Temples of Austin Road (off Nathan Road), the 500 Genil, City of the Dead. the Kowloon Cricket Club, and the Kingfisher's feather, Work-Jade, Kowloon Dock. Tennis can be had. Ricepaper picture Painters, at many Club courts at King'a Flowery Pagoda, Jade Stone Park, at the United Services Club Street, Old Embroidery Shops and (opposite King's Park,) the Kow-Sai Hing Street, etc.

loon Cricket Club, and the Kow- For the guidance of those whose loon Bowling Green Club. Football time, , is limited, the following. is played at King's Park and on itinerary is given.

the ground of the Kowloon Football Club. facing the harbour in Chatham Road. Cricket is provid-

ed at King's Park and at the Kow- loon Cricket Club.

.. Sport in Hong Kong

On the Island there is no end to

One Whole Day in Canton Leave Hong Kong Arrive Canton Leave Canton

10 p.m. 7 to 8 am, 4.80 p. Arrive Hong Kong (about)

11 to 12 p.m. The fare provides first class

the variety of outdoor aport to be travel tickets, breakfast, lunch and indulged in or watched, the prin- dinner, service of competent pri cipal ground being at Happy vate Guide for sightseeing by

*Valley, which can be reached in a sedan chair to City of the Dead,

very short time by tramcar, taxi-

cab, or motor car, not to mention

the slower jlarikisha If time is no

Flowery Pagoda, Ancestral Temple, etc.

Tours of longer duration": "and

object. There is a fine Racecourse, including passage by 8 a.m. steamer where races are held at various may be arranged. periods from the middle of Teb plication.

rusry to the beginning of Decem.***

ber.

MACAO

Fares on sp

Of other sports to be had at Happy Valley, there are football A Portuguese. Colony and the ("soccer and Rugby codes), pioneer settlement of the Far East, cricket, baseball, and tennis. The being founded in 1557. It is a

$4 and return $7.

to

There is also a special excursion

Macao every Sunday leaving Hong Kong at 9 a.m., returning at 3.30 p.m., return fare $5; week-end excursion, returr. fare $6.00.

HONG KONG HEIGHTS

For the information of visitors the following list of

some of the highest points on the island and Mainland is published:-

Island. Victoria Peak Signal Station Mt. Parker

used in China.

But the actual use of the paper

SWATOW DRAWN WORK CO.

14, Pedder St.

| (next to Jardine, Matheson & Co.)

The best store for all kinds of Embroideries, Silk Shawls &

Linen Goods,

FOR ALL THE LATEST

BOOKS

and

MAGAZINES

Feet.

1823

1774

call and see the large selection at

1734

Mountain Lodge The Eyrie

1725

THE EXCELSIOR CO.

1725

Peak Hotel

1305

Taikoo Sanatorium

1000

-877

Bowen Road (filterbeds) 207

Mainland

Feet:

3124 1971

16, D'Aguilar Street. (next to Flower Street) Hong Kong and PENINSULA HOTEL Kowloon

Mt. Davis

Taimoshan Kowloon Peak

honour.

"Five Dragon Temple" at Kow-ed great divine prodigy on differ- loon City is well worth the trouble ent occasions, and much more in of visiting as it contains many the Yuen and Ming Dynasties. objects of interest to the Euro- When the Emperor Shai Tso of pean. Hanging on the wall is a the Yuen Dynasty first establish- scroll in English which gives the ed his capital at Peking, he re- appearance of his or "Pak Tai" as it is known in Divine Tortoise and Snake on the bynasty. The military operation against the Tai Ping Kebellion dur- the vernacular, an image over 500 Ko Leung river in the 18th moon year, prophesying the ing 1800 necessitated the printing years old reposing on the altar of of the

foundation of the Sung Dynasty. of notes both in tael and in cash.

Mr. Tsang Foo, the local coal- A temple was therefore built for The relative values of the notes

Seventy-four years were so fixed that 200 cash would merchant is mainly responsible his worship. be equivalent to one taxi in notes. for the temple's, erection, having later, on a "Tin Shau" festival in The Government banks at Amoy, purchased the brass idol from the Yan Chung Dynasty he again Foochow, and Tientsin were first to Canton, and supervised the build showed his appearance in Mo circulate these notes. Although ing outside his villa and school. Tung Hill. the notes were supposed to be legal A typical example of foreign in. tender, even the Government taxfluence in Chinese life is notice- bureaux were unwilling to accept able in Mr. Taang's house which them. Then the Government had adjoins the temple. The grounds to fix a percentage at which the contain buildings of strictly Chin- taxed amount could be paid in ese type and the semi-European notes. Even for this the publie did type while a Chinese pond has nov want to accept notes. Officials two foreign-style rowing boats in tried to doctor the issue and merit and the garden has a wind made in cleants manipulated the exchange of driven water condenser notes to get profit The value of Illinois, US.A. notes dropped. Foreign merchants There are images worked in on the other hand bought the notes brass of a tortelse and a snake n is Emperor Shing Tso. He is | at a great discount to pay the per- which represent the deities who great, divine and awe-inspiring.

centage of import taxes allowed carry out God's benevolent orders. Under him

Kam Luk Temple. Therefore, the Kam Lak Temple was built, and the Five Dragon Mouastery was renovated to make offerings to him every year. In the years of the Emperor Wing Lok of the Ming Dynasty, great development was again made to In this Templa and Monastery. the record of the Mo Tung Hill by Wong To-kwan, will be found. the following quotations:-"Power-

То

peace prevailed at by regulation. The Government That the natives of Kowloon at-home and abroad, All this was bureaux had to accept. It was said tach much importance to the owing to the help of Chan Mo, that, principally through these temple is evident from the large who came down to guide the 6 manipulations, one clerk in the incense containers bestowed in Armies of the Emperor. Ministry of Finance, while having the place of worship. an official salary of 80 or 40 taels, owned

property worth, 50 to 60 millions!

Squeeze Stopped

It was not until the Government

"Chan Mo" Below we give an interesting translation:-

award bis services, great repairs were made to, his Temples. Then prosperity reigned throughout the Empire, and the power of the Em- peror was extended to the farthest Indeed the different

country.

was more

History of the brass image of had bought back the notes at a fix- the god "Chan Mo" in the Five temples built in honour of Chan ed price that this system of squeeze Dragon Monastery.

Mo were as numerous as stars in from these manipulations stopped. "Mr. Tsang Shiu-wing alias the sky." This shows that the Since the introduction of modern Tsang Foo bought the image at worship of this god banking, more emphasis was laid Canton for a sum of $1,200. It zealous in the Sung Dynasty than on the reserve, the printing, and|

issuance.

With the exception of measures 8 feet high, and weighs in the reign of Yuen, and there- over 1,000 catties. At the left of fore his temples could be found the panic of 1918 the large Govern-

ita robe are inscribed the 13 everywhere in the Empire. ment Bank notes were reldom quet-characters, "Yam Chai Tak Li

Made At Peking led at a discount.

Rotarian Young thanked Mr. Hu

dress.

WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF CHINESE LACQUER WORK.

Kwong Tung Chu Chi Shi Pok

This brass image was manufac- in behalf of the Club for his ad-Kim Kun Im" (Imperial Inspector- tured under the supervision of a General of Canton Shipping and native of Tai Hing of Shun Tin. Salt Commissioner), but the part From this we can tell that it was beneath this has been torn away made at Peking and during the At the right corner are found the Dynasty of Wing Lok. The date 17 characters, "Tai Ming Man Lák | Kwai Man of the Emperor Mau Sam Shap Yat Nin Shui Chi Kwai Lik inscribed thereon is the date Mau Kwai Chau Kat Yat Kin" of the erection of the Temple and (manufactured on a lucky day in not the date of the manufacture the 9th moon of the Kwai Mau of the image. The Imperial In- year, ie, the Thirty-First year of spector-General of Canton Ship- Mau Lik of the Great Mingping, and Salt Commissioner' en- Dynasty). On the back of the graved on the image. was the image there are 21 characters in builder of the Temple, but unfor 3 rows, which read thus:-"Pak | tunately his name has been torn King Shun Tin Fu Tai Hing Yuen off. However, during the Dynasty. Cheung Chiu Wong Tso Kun Tso of Shan Chung many servants of Chu Chi To Shi Tong To Chan" the Imperial Household were sent (manufactured under the super- out to make heavy levies on the vision of Cheung Chin and Wong income of merchants, and from Tso of the Tai Hing District of this we can deduce that the image the Shun Tin Prefecture, Peking was brought to Kwong Tung from and Tong To Chan, the Priest in Peking by one of such servants, Charge). The image was the pro- and was enshrined in a temple at perty of the Sze Tsz Shim. Lam | Canton after the name of the Monastery, and that it fell into manufacturer and the date of the hands of some ordinary in manufacture had been engraved dividuals after the political change on it,

HINESE lacquerware was first invented by the Shen Shao Lang Kee family, of Forchow, in the Chienz Lang Dyvester Models are first made of clay and rob sequently covered with a layer of fine silk and lacquer. Each layer takes from three weeks to two months to dry, and as many as thirty layers are frequently employed on each piece. The above screen took nearly five years to complete, and is said to be the finest example of the work ever made. Descendants of the original family made this screen which is on view at Komor and Kemor's Salon,

in the San Hoi year. On refer- Alas over 500 years have elaps- ence to some Taoist Authorities,ed since the Wing Lok Dynasty. it has been found that "Chan Mo" The image was removed from was born in the 3rd moon of the Peking to Canton, and again from 3rd year of the Emperor Hof of a Taoist Temple into a Buddhist the Tsui Dynasty. He was born Monastery and just some time ago. a divine sage. He took oath to it had a narrow escape from be remove all evil spirits, and to pro-ing destroyed. Can it be the case teet the people He gave up his that even a lifeless object has its secular life, and took up the study time of prosperity and misfortune?

The Temple

of Taoism. After pursuing his study inMo Tung Hill for 43 Now Mr. Tsang having obtain-

NOW years, he succeeded in becoming ed the image, has erected a an immortal He took the North temple for it at Kowloon under. under his protection. He showed the name of the Five Dragon his appearance on the solicitation Temple the very original name of of any man, and suppressed any the Monastery from which it evil spirit when asked to. He came. This history is written for came down among the, people the advice of those who may wor- every. Kang San or Kap Taz day ship the god and pray him to re and every 3rd or 7th day, to re-move any cause of misfortune. move all causes of misfortune. Written by the True Retired If is stated in the Annals of the Scholar of Kowloon on the 15th Mo Tung Elll that the place of the 12th moon of the Yam Shuf where Chan Mo resided in retire year (81.1.23),

ment, was the Five Dragon Chop of Chan, Pak-to. Monastery During the Dynasties Chop of the True

Retired

of the Emperors Tong Tal Chang Scholar of Kowloon (nom-de plume and Sung Chan Chung, he show. | of Chan Pak-to).