Directory_and_Chronicle_1883 — Page 233

HONGKONG,

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The chief religious buillings are: S. John's Cathedral (Anglic in), which occupies a commanding site above the Păra le Ground, and is a Gothic church of considerable size but with few pretensions to a chitecture. It has a square tower, with pinn ucles, over the western porch, and possesses a peil of bells. A handsom› stained window in the east end, over the altar, is the chief adornm nt of the interior. S. Peter's (Seamen's) Church, at West Point, close to the Sailors' Home, is a neat Gothic erection with a spire. It also bas a stained glass window, pr sented in 1878. 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 ior about 500 persons. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Wellington Street, is a remarkably plain but commodious struc'ure with small twin domes. A site has been secured an i plans drawn or a new Gothic building of much more imposing appearance and dimensions. S. Joseph's Church, in Garden Roa 1, is a neat edifice erected in 1876 on the site of one destroyed by the great typhoon of 1874; and there are several smaller Catholic mission churches. There is also a Jewish Synagogue in Hollywood Road, and a Mahomedan Mosque in Mosque Street. St. Joseph's College, a school for boys managed by the Christian Brothers, occupies a large and handsome building on a comman ling site in the centre of the city. The Roman Catholics possess a Reform itory for Chinese boys and several charitable and educational institutions, which are very efficiently managed. O her denominations likewise support establishments of the sa ne character, conspicuous among which are the Diocesan Home and Orphanage, the German Foundling House, Baxter Verna- cular School, &c.

The Protestant, Roman Catholic, Parses, and Mahome lan C. meteries occupy sit 's in Wong-nai Chung Valley, and are kept in good order. The Protestant Cemetery is almost a rival to the Public Gard ns, being admirably laid out and charmingly situated,

There are s veral Clubs in the Colony. The principal are the Hongkong Club, the Club Germania, and the Lusitano Club. There is a R creation Club, which possesses Bath and Boat houses on the Praya near the Cricket Ground, a Cricket Club, and a Yacht Club, all kept up with considerable spirit.

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The annual races are he d at the latter end of February on the Race Course in Wong-nai Chung Valley, at the east end of the town, a beautiful spot enclosed by fir-clad 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 th world. Most of the races ar 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 go up every year by the garrison, and occasional swimming matches and b at races take place. There is an Am teur Dramatic Club, the members of which give several performances in the City Hall Teatre during the season; and the Choral Socity also provides a series of entertainments. In addition to the attempts mad by the colonists to provide amusemen s, itinerant companies frequently visit Hongkong, and give perform.nces.

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There is exell nt Dock accommodation for the larg st vessels. The Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limitel, have three extensive establishments, two at Kowloon, the other at Ab rdeen. The Docks of this com any are fittel with all appliances for engineering and carpenter's work, and are seldom empty. At the Aberdeen ocks the largest ironclads and mail steamers can be and are frequently docked. There are other establishments at which ship-building is carried on, and s me good sized steamers have been launched in the Colony. Her Majesty's Naval Yard likewise contains machine shels ad fit ng shops on a large scle, and repairs can be effected to the machinery of the British men-of-war with great exp addition.

There are few good hotels in the Colony. The only establishments are the Hongkong Hotel, close to the Clock Tower, and the Stag, in Queen's Rol, both of which are c ntral.y situated.

There are three daily papers published in English, the Hongkong Daily Press which appears in the morning, the China Mail, issued in the evening, and