1934-07-12 — Page 3

THE CHINA MAIL, THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1934.

DUAL DUTY OF ONE ESCALATOR WOULD BE

APPROXIMATELY 3,400 PEOPLE

USE PEAK TRAM EACH DAY

BACK TO THE PIONEER

DAYS OF 1885

But Receipts Show Big Decresse ORIGIN OF FIRST CABLE

In Recent Years

The Peak Tramway Company, which was taken over by John D. Humphrice and Son in 1802, eac. ries approximately 1,500 first- class passengers and 1,900 second- class per day. This represents a large decrease in 'receipt during the last few years profits having fallen $18,000 in three years.

Sir Elly Kadeerlu, one of the largest shareholder in the Com- pany is said to be favour of the scheme of extending the tramway to Queen's Road.

KOWLOON RESIDENT

INTERVIEWED

RAILWAY IN ASIA

MR. FINDLAY SMITH'S PLUCK IN FACE OF OPPOSITION

%

Of the thousands who travel on the Peak Tramway few ever give a thought to its origin and to the 'great task which its origi-] nators undertook to give us this convenient means of transit to the highest point on the Island. -

Very few of the old residents can remember the construc- tion of the tramway, which was started in 1885 and completed three years later, giving Hong Kong the first cable railway in Asia. Only after many years of study was the scheme carried

out.

Lady Southorn, wife of the Colonial Secretary, throws up the ball to start the exhibition basket- ball game which followed the opening ceremony of the Wanchal, Children's Playground. yesterday,

(King's Studio).

The names of those closely identified with the scheme are now but a memory in the Colony but a souvenir booklet, publish- ed by the China Mail at the opening of the track, reveals the im- TIME DECLARED

NOT OPPORTUNE

mense difficulties with which the promoters were faced.

The necessity of such a tram-, had actively Interested himself

way became apparent from the with the possibilities of construct- FOR NEW EXPENSE

Dr. Kotewall Believes

In Exchange.

HONG KONG ADVERTISED

BE FAR TOO EXPENSIVE

ESCALATOR-CONVEYOR WANTED

DOUBLE TRACKING FROM EXCHANGE IS

MONEY SAVED

LARGE QUEEN'S ROAD TERMINUS WOULD BE REQUIRED

LOCAL ENGINEER'S VIEWS

MR. FELIX A. JOSEPH'S ESCALATOR SCHEME FOR

THE EXTENSION OF THE PEAK TRAMWAY TO QUEEN'S ROAD, AS. A MEANS FOR OVERCOMING, TEDIOUS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE MILITARY AU- THORITIES HAS ROUSED CONSIDERABLE CONTRO- VERSY AMONG THE COLONY'S LEADING ENGINEERS.

YESTERDAY A SENIOR ENGINEER WHO DESIRED TO REMAIN INCOGNITO, EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT UPKEEP COSTS FOR SUCH FORM OF MECHANISM. WOULD COMPARE VERY UNFAVOURABLY WITH AN ELEVATED TRACK, FOR WHICH POWER FOR HAUL- TO-DAY AGE OF CARS IS ALREADY AVAILABLE. ANOTHER LEADING ENGINEER GIVES HIS VIEW- POINT.

LIKELY MOST

SATISFACTORY

Move Would Be Boon To Officers.

MR. FLEMING SPEAKS

Mr. W. Fleming, of Messrs. Shewan. Tomes & Co., and a re- sident of Hong Kong for many years, now residing at the Peak Hotel, told the China Ifail that he had always felt very strongly on the subject of the desirability of extending the Peak Tram down to Queen's Road.

Mr. Fleming, in humorous vein, recalled how the former superin- tendent of the Peak Tramway, Mr. C. B. Buyers, used to talk about the extension and other things in con- nection with the tramway. In FILIP TO INDUSTRY

those days, of course, there was no Sir, I was very interested in

[To the Editor, "China Mail"] . Jelectric engine, the tram being run Mr. F. A. Joseph's scheme briefly

Sir,-As the world is emerging with a steam engine. Mr. Buyers outlined in Tuesday's issue of from the throes of what is said used to joke about fixing up the your paper, although it gives rise by experts to be one of the great wire cable with an old plece of rope, to the question of practicability, est depressions of modern times,

[To the Editor, "China Mail."]

Why Mr. Victor Labrum

time when the more wealthy re-ing a tramway to Victoria. Gap Does Not Go To Peak sidents of Hong Kong began to from the low levels of the island, build detached villas and ter-but he was a practical and at the The genial proprietor of the well-races on the healthy southern same time cautious man who sound- known printing firm, Ye Olde Prin-slopes to escape the sun-baked, fed his ground carefully before tak- terie. Limited, Mr. V. C. Labrum, stifling atmosphere of the city, in a step. He then spent a num- smilingly admitted that he had noti Their enjoyment of the pure, cool ber of years studying the problem,

The Honourable Dr. R. H. been on the Peak for a number of breezes of the mountain tops, how- and only when he knew precisely years, because he does not enjoy ever, entailed long journeys to and what he proposed to do, did he set Kotewall expressed very keen in- climbing 1,000 feet up the Garden from the city in "four-pieceo" about putting his plan into executerest in the Peak Tramway Ex-and in this connection I should it is indeed refreshing to see that ete. It was Mr. Buyers who always Road hill.

chairs. The inconvenience to the tion.

This man, who has been rightly tension when interviewed by the like to make a few observations enterprise is still the keynote of insisted that his life was one of Aft. Labrum told the China Maittired business man of returning to

the old established Colony concerns. continual "ups and downs,"-con- that probably, like himself, many his home on the "topside" in the called "Our Stephenson," was faced China Mail, saying, "I think it

stantly go up and down to look other Kowloon residents would be evening, borne by coolics labouring with numerous obstacles as soon as would be to the benefit of the of a more or less technical char-One has only to look around the streets of Hong Kong to witness

glad to go

up to the Peak from painfully and slowly up the steep his scheme was made known. Colony to have the Peak tram

Any idea of one escalator to per- the bold foresight of our business after the Peak Tram.

leaders, and it is by no means sur- Mr. Fleming expressed the idea time to time, to enjoy the scenery slopes of the Peak Road; and the biggest stumbling block took the and salubrious atmosphere in which inhumari task imposed on the chair-form of a rival Company which line extended down to Queen's

"But I foresee certain form the dual duty of raising pas prising to me that the Peak Tram that the present military buildings the Pankites dwell, but that as confies was realised from the begin- was immediately started to do pre- Road.

for in- sengers from Queen's Road level way Company are seriously con- and grounds were very shabby and loug as the lower station remained ning, but there was no one here to cisely what he proposed to do. difficulties, such as,

Then, too, he had to contend with [stance, the acquirement of land to viaduct level and then to the templating the extension of their unattractive, and probably not too remedying half way up the hill-side it was take the initiative in

comfortable, and that he supposed opposition from the residents of from the Military authorities for unlikely that many persons would matters.

Lower Station can, I think, be track the Queen's Road. what the purpost... the Peak, although on

Such a scheme, obviously, would the military officers would be very use the Peak tram for pleasure

"If the Government has to pay ruled out on the score of expense give further flip to local industry, glad to have new, modern build- ground they opposed him. is not Then came Mr. Alexander Find-recorded. It is to his credit that he for the land, then I do not think due to its unusual nature, and I venture to say that, in the ings, which might be paid for by could step out of a tieksha at the lay Smith, formerly of the High-surmounted all obstacles and finally that the present time is opportune, vertical space requirements in the long run, the enterprise would be the Peak Tramway Company or corner of Queen's Road," said Mr. and Railway Company, Scotland. had the satisfaction of seeing his owing to the unprecedented depres Lahrum, "and get on to the Peak We,.bave it on record that as early scheme a reality, Tram and be at the top within a 1876, twelve years before the tramway came into existence, he seven or eight minutes."

trips.

"It would be fine, indeed, if one

Of Course,

OPINION IS

MR. FINDLAY SMITH

UNANIMOUS

THAT THE PEAK TRAM EXTENSION is most desirable

and

THAT WATSON'S FRUIT SQUASHES ARE MOST DELICIOUS

A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD.

Alexandra

Buildings

Telephone

20469

IF YOU MUST TOIL TO THE LOWER TRAM STATION,

FORGET THE CLIMB BY KEEPING

A GOOD SUPPLY OF

MARCHANT'S GOLD LABEL

>

to await you on arrival at the Peak

JARDINE, MATHESON & CO., LTD.

Import

Telephone

Department

30311

MARCHANTS

His

acter.

15

to

With the coming Government in exchange for the

sion we are passing through. This viaduct body. The latter would fully justified.

of more prosperous days, the Peak required strip of land along Garden is a time for strict economy rather be necessary to allow the steps population is certain to expand Road. LOW-LEVEL SCHEME FAILS

than fresh expenditure.

return on the underside of the automatically bringing heavier Mr. Findlay Smith was primarily "If, however, the land could be'

traffic to the tramway and, as e structural frame. interested in a high-level tramway, acquired, not by purchase, BUT

These two difficulties could-pos-public, utility, the Tramway Com-Company are anxious to make the extension. but the proposed but also saw the possibilities of a BY EXCHANGE, then I am in sibly be overcome by, the substitu-pany owe it to their patrons to scheme, as shown in the sketch in low-level tramway system and favour of the extension,

"My view is that, apart from the tion of an ordinary type escalatórį provide more accessible means of the Sunday Herald, entails the petitioned the Government in 1881

i.e. from transport. Wishing your camerassing of military land which with regard to both achernes greater convenience to the public for the first stage Eventually his rivals were left with using the Peak tram-and this Queen's Road level to viaduct (paign every success. the low-level scheme and Mr. Find convenience would be substantial level, and for the remainder a lay Smith concentrated on the Peak-Hong Kong as a whole would non-stepped "escalator" or line which he had constructed, benefit by the extension."- whereas the low-level scheme did Dr. Kotewall went on

veyor,

con-

Observer

VERY POSSIBLE.

the military authorities. In the past have been reluctant to part with.

Such a short sighted policy on the part of the military is difficult to say, The gradient of the viaduct un

[To the Editor, "China Mall”.]

to understand, as the extension of not go farther than the Initial "The beauties and advantages of der these circumstances would re-

Sir. In these modern days of

the existing line to Queen's Road vladuct atage of trying to raise capital to Hong Kong as a health resort, quire careful thought and would undertake it. It was then shelved, particularly in the cool months, need to be such that a firm foot-mechanical and electrical con-

trivances which have been invented would be carried on a and Hong Kong did not have its are, I am afraid, not sufficiently hold could always be obtained. low-level trams until nearly twenty well-known outside the Colony."

The conveyor would reduce the for the betterment of the world at which would not interfere with

necessity rest on military land. years later. But that is another "Hong Kong, during some months vertical space requirements on large, and to make life easier for military property, but would of marked by visitors to our Colony, The suggested new lower sta- story and is mentioned here only of the year, is excelled by few the viaduct, which, apart from all concerned, it has often been re- because it will be found that the places for natural beauty and giving an improved appearance, two schemes were so closely iden- salubrity of climate", he said, "In would give a considerable saving why they have to walk a consider-tion would cover a portion of the able distance up Garden Road be-grounds of the present Officers tified that it is impossible to write clear, fine weather the prospects in materials and construction. fore they reach the necessary con-Mesa at the corner of Garden the history of the one without from the Peak are simply enchant- Balustrading would be necessary veyance to transport them to the Road and Queen's Road, but would mention of the other.

not necessitate the altering or re-... ing.

on the viaduct, and with this loftier dominion of the Peak. The Government of Hong Kong,

ovat- But what about our residents,moval of the existing building. "At present, some people visit-could be incorporated an

The enterprise of the Peak through the Hon. Mr. John Macnelling the Colony do not go up to head covering which would pro-who daily toll up Garden Road or Price, the then head of the Public the Peak because of the difficulty teet

in passengers Inclement Battery Path in all weathers and Tramway Co. for this extension Works Department, rendered the of getting to the Lower Tram Sta- weather, and at

the same in all temperatures to catch the faworthy, of the support of the Company every possible assistance tion. It is true that some tourists time protect the machinery. This Tram for higher altitudes? What whole community and it is hoped In the carrying out of the work, go to the Peak by motor car. latter would be essential if main a blessing it would be for them that the Government will do every- and Sir John Pope Hennessy, That ride is doubtless pleasant, tenance charges were to remain if the Peak Train could be extend-thing in its power to influence the K.C.M.G., Sir George Ferguson but the tramway offers certain reasonable.

ed to the corner of Garden Road War Office to grant the necessary,

land for this essential and'im

Bowen, G.C.M.G. Sir William anique views at different stages With regard to the Queen's Road and Queen's Road! Henry March, K.C.M.G. during of the Journey which a motor ride entrance, this would occupy 6 Can this project be accomplish-portant project.

EARLY PIONEERS

their several administrations, took does not give."

considerable area, as, in additioned? Yes. The Peak Tramway great interest in it, giving their Dr. Kotewall concluded by say to the entrance hall, space would full support to the enterprise. ing, "With the Lower Tram Sta- be needed for the two sets of

tion made more accessible, I am machinery. t The Company also received most sure many more people will visit

The escalators in use in London the Peak, and tourists will go tangible proofs of approbation from Sir George William Des Veuz away with happy remembrances underground stations are approxi- of the Colony that may become mately four feet wide and handle K.C.M.G., head of the Government the means of advertising Hong several thousand passengers per

was the first, with Hong.. The advantage thus gained, hour. Taking into consideration} Lady Des Voeux and a party of is not to be measured in terms of the length of the friends, to travel on the line on dollars and centa," he concluded "escalator-conveyor and the like-

in 1888, who

Its completion.

The Company owed a large share ENGINEERING FEAT

QUITE SIMPLE

Mr. Vagnone Speaks From Experience

proposed

ly traffic requirements, it would

appear that a track of two feet

wide would be sufficient. Money thus aaved could be devoted to double tracking with reversible machines, thereby providing, "a" stand by and facilitating main- tenance.

of their success to the faithful ser- vices of the Hon. P. Ryrie and Mr. James B, Coughfrie, of the Consulting Committee; and to Mr. James Anderson, of the firm of the then general managers, during whom the construction was 'succees-

Thanking you for your valuable fully carried on until the opening Mr. O.. Vagnone, well-known re- space and wishing you every auc- day, in spite of the extremely presentative of European machin- cesa lu your endeavour to promote arduous and difficult nature of the ery manufacturers and a resident an improvement in the Peak Tram- work.

at the Peak Hotel, was very em- way service. Mr. J. F. Boulton, A.M.I.C.E., phatic in his expression of opinion whose name is also identified with that the Peak tram should be. the history of the Peak tramway, brought down to Queen's Road, say- acted as Resident Engineer, but ing that he hoped and believed that,

Engineer

from failure of health, arising from it the China Mail continued the gineering feat is really quite a the trying nature of his duties, he agitation in the proper manner simple one, compared with the big had to leave the Colony a year be- until public sentiment was fully, things, along the same line, that fore the completion of the tramway aroused the Military authorities have been done in various coun- Mr. W. Smith, M.IO.E. (Glasgow would not hold out against the tries in Europe and elsewhere. University) was Consulting En-unanimous desire of the people of He wished the China Mat- all gineer.

success in its efforts to secure this Vagneno thinks the en-lboon for the Colony,

(To be Continued.)

the Colony.

Interested

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UP THE HILL TO THE PEAK TRAM, TO GO HOME

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