Directory_and_Chronicle_1880 — Page 203

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HONGKONG.

The chief religious buildings are: S. John's Cathedral (Anglican), which occupies a commanding site above the Parade Ground, and is a Gothic church of considerable size but with few pretensions to architecture. It as a square tower, with pinnacles, over the western porch, and possesses a peal of bells. It possesses one handsome stained window in the east end, over the altar. S. Peter's (Seamen's) Church, at West Point, close to the Sailors' Home, is a neat Gothic erection with a spire. It also is adorned with a stained glass window, presented in 1878. S. Stephen's (native) Church, in Taipingshan, is a plain building with a bell turret. Union Church is a pleasing edifice in the Italian style of architecture, with a spire, and contains accommodation for about 500 persons. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Wellington Street, is a remarkably plain but commodious structure with small twin domes. S. Joseph's Church, in Garden Road, is a neat edifice erected in 1876 on the site of one destroyed by the great typhoon of 1874; and there are several smaller mission churches. There is also a Jewish Synagogue in Hollywood Road, and a Mahom dan Mosque in Mosque Street. The Roman Catholics possess a Reformatory for Chinese boys and several charitable and educational institutions, which are very efficiently managed. Other denominations likewise support establish- ments of the same character, conspicuous among which are the Diocesan House and Orphanage, the German Foundling House, Baxter Vernacular School, &c.

The Anglican, Roman Catholic, Parsee, and Mahomedan Cemeteries occupy sites in Wong-nai Chung Valley, and are kept in good order. The Anglican cemetery is almost a rival to the Public Gardeus, being admirably laid out and charmingly situated.

There are several Clubs in the Colony. The principal are the Hongkong Club, the Club Germania, and the Lusitano Club. There is a Recreation Club, which possesses Bath and Boat houses on the Prava near the Cricket Ground, a Cricket Club, and a Yacht Club, all kept up with much spirit.

The annual races are held at the latter end o: February on the Race Course in Wong-nai Chung Valley, at the east end of the town, a beautiful spot enclosed by fir-crowned hills. On this occasion the whole colony makes holiday, and the stands and course are crowded with one of the most motley collections of humanity to be seen in any part of the world. Most of the races are run with North China ponies, and there is generally good sport. A regatta is held in December in the harbour, but it does not evoke the same enthusiasm as the races. Athletic Sports are also got up every year by the garrison, ani occasional swimming matches and boat races take place. There is an Amateur Dramatic Club, the members of which give several performances in the City Hall Theatre during the season; and the Choral Society provides a series of Amateur Concerts in St. Andrew's Hall. The Regimental Baid has now for some time given promenade concer.s in the Public Gardens about every fortnight during the summer. In addition to the attempts made by the colonists to provide amusements, itinerant companies frequently visit Hongkong, and give a series of performances.

There is excell nt Dock accommodation for the largest vessels. The Hongkong, and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited, have two extensive establishments, one a Kowloon, the other at Aberdeen. The Docks of this company are fitted with all appliances for engineering and carpenter's work, and are seldom empty. At the Aberdeen docks the largest ironclads and mail steamers can be an are frequently dockel. The Cosmopolitan Dock is also a capacious dock 560 feet long, and is situate at Sam-shui Pò, in British Kowl on. There are two paten' slips, which were purchased last year by t e Hongkong a d Whampoa Dock Company, and o: her smaller establ sm nts a which ship-building is carried on, and some gool sized steamers have been launched in the Colony. Her Majesty's Naval Yard also contains machine sheds and fitting shops on a large scale, and repairs can be effected to the machinery of the British men-of-war with great expedition.

There are several g od hotels in the Colony. The principal establishments are the Hongkong Hotel, close to the Clock Tower; Hotel de l'Univers, in Wyndham

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