Directory_and_Chronicle_1884 — Page 130

HONGKONG.

This, the most eastern of British possessions, is situate off the coast of the Kwangtung province, at the mouth of the Cauton river. It is distant about 10 miles from Macao and 90 from Canton, and lies between 22 deg. 9 min. and 22 deg. 1 min. N. lat., and 114 deg. 5 min. anÌ 114 deg. 18 min. E. long. The name of the island (Hung Kong) signifies Good Harbour. Hongkong is a Crown Colony and was celed to Great Britain by the Chinese Government in 1841. The Government is admi nistered by a Governor, a ded by an Excutive Council of five officials. The Legis. lative Council is presided over by the Governor, an 1 is composed of the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer, the Surveyor-General, aud the Registrar-General, and five unofficial meml» rs.

The island is about 11 miles long and from 2 to 5 broad; its circumference in about 27 miles. It consists of a broken ridge of lo.ty hills, with few valleys of any extent and scarcely any ground available for cultivation. It is well wa red by numerous streams, many of which are perennial, and from the waterworks at Pok- folum water of excellent quality bu' in limited quantity is supplied to all parts of the city of Victoria. New and extensive waterworks at Taitam to provide an ample supply were commenced at the close of 1882.

The harlour of Hongkong is one of the finest an1 most beautiful in the world, having an area of ten square mil s, and with its diversified scenery and varied soip- ping, presents an animated and imposing sp ctacle. It consists of the sheet of water between the island and the mainland, and is enclosed on a'l sides by lofty bills, unfortunately bare of foliage, except where trees have been plant d near the city, but pleasingly green during the south-west monsoon. An extensive scheme of af resta.

tion has, however, lately been commenced. The City of Victoria is magnificently situated, the houses, many of them large and handsome, rising, tier upon tier, from the water's edge to a height of several buadred feet on the face of the Peak, while several bungalows are visible on the very summit of the bills. Seen from the water at night, when laups twinkle among the trees and bouses, the city, spreading along the shore for upwards of four miles, affords a sight not to be forgotten.

Nor on landing are the favourable impressions of the stranger dissipated. The city is well built, the roads and streets are for the most part admirably ma le and kept, the Public Gardens almost unrivalled for their beauty, and many of the thoroughfares delightfully shaded with well grown trees. Hall, erected in 1866-9 by subscription; it contains an elegant theatre, numerous The chief public building is the City large rooms used for balls and public meetings, an excellent and valuable Library, and a Museum yearly increasing in importance. The Government Offices, Supreme Court House, and Club are plain but substantial structures. Government Hou-e occupier a commanding situation, in picturesque grounds pleasingly laid out, in the centre of the city. The Gaol is a large and massive structure, but the accommodation afforded by it is not in excess of the large demands made on it, owing to the inroads of the criminal population of Kwangtung being so constant and persevering. The Civil Hospital is a large but plain building in Taipingshau. The Government Central School, a most important institution, having som six hundred pupils, is very badly housed at present, but will soon be removed to a new and commodious structure. The Tung Wa Hospital, a Chinese institution, occupies a large and roomy building. The barracks for the garrison are large, and constructed with great regard to the health and comfort of the troops, and the buildings belonging to the Naval Establishment are substantial and spacious. inconvenient place, which is entirely given up to the patives owing to its repulsive condition; a new market will, however, soon be erected. The Praya wall, which was reconstructed in 1879-80, is a work of much solidity and strength, reflecting the greatest credit on the Survey Department. It is faced with large blocks of dressed granite and backed with concrete, and pres nts a good effect from the water. Clock Tower, near Peddar's Wharf, was erec: d by public subscription in 1862, and the illuminated clock was presented to the Colony by the firm of Messrs. Douglas Lapraik & Co.

The Cent Market is a dirty and

The

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HONGKONG.

The clef religious buildings are: S. John's Cathedral (Anglicin), which oc upies ▲ commanding site alore the Para 'e Ground, and is a Gothic church of considerable size but with lew pretensions to a chitecture. It has a square tower, with pinnacles, A handsome stained window over the western porch, and possesses a peil of bells.

S. Peter's

in the east add, over the altar, is the chief adornment of the interior. (Seamen's) Cuurch, at West Point, close to the Sailors' Home, is a neat Gothic ercion with a spire. It also has 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 dome. A site has been secured and prepared above Glenealy, alaus drawn for a new Gothic building of much more imposing appearance and dimensions. S. Joseph's Church, in Garden Roa, 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 «burches. There is also a Jewish Synagogue in Hollywood Road, and a Mabowedan Mosque in Mosque Street. S. Joseph's College, a school for boys managed by the Christian Brothers, occupies a large and handsome building on a commanding site in the centre of the city. The Roman Catholics possess a Reformatory for Chinese boys and several charitable and educational institutions, which are very efficiently managed. O her denominatio us likewise support establishments of the sane elaracier, conspicuous among which are the Diocesan Home and Orphanage, the German Foundling House, Baxter Vernacular Selocl, &».

The Protestant, Roman Catholic, Paisee, and Mahc nclan Cemeteries occupy sit s in Wong-Dai Chung Valley, and are kept in good order. The Protestant Cemet.ry is almost a rival to the Public Gard ns, being admirably laid out and charmingly

situated.

There are several Clubs in the Colony. the Club Germania, and the Lusitano Club. There is a Recreation Club, which The principal are the Hongkong Ciuh, 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.

The annual races are beld 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 set 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 barbour, but it does not evoke the same enthusiasm as the rices. Athletic Sports

are also got up every year by the residents and the garrison, and occasional swimming matches and boat races take place. There is an Am tour Dramatic Club, the temers of which give several performances in the City Hall Theatre during he 6 ason; and the Choral Society also provides a series of entertainments. In addition to the attempts made by the colonists to provide amusemen's, itinerant companies frequently visit Hongkong, and give performances.

There is excellent Dock accommodation for the largest ress ls. The Hon kong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited, have three extensive establishments, two at Kowloon, the oth. r at Ab. rdeen. The Docks of this company are fitted with all appliances for engineering and carpenter's work, and are seldom empty. Ano'ber larg duck is in course o construction by the Company a Kowloon in which the largest ironclads caule received. There are other establishuients at which ship- building is carried on, Colony. Her Majesty's Naval Yard likewise contains machine sheds and fitting and s me good sized steamers have been launched in the shops on a large scale, and repairs can be effected to the machinery of te British men-of-war with great exp dition.

There are several good hotels in the Colony. They are, the Hongkong Hotel, close to the Clock Tower, the Victoria Hotel, on the Praya, Stainfield's Family Hotel, Wyndham Street, and the Stag, in Queen's Road, all of which are centrally situated.