Directory_and_Chronicle_1885 — Page 262

HONGKONG.

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The chief religious buildings are: S. John's Cathedral (Anglicu), which occupies

■ commanding site above the Para le Ground, and is a Gothic church of considerable size but with few pretensions to architecture. It has a square tower, with pinnacles, over the western porch, and possesses a peal of bells. A bandsome stained window in the east en 1, over the altar, is the chief ad rnment f the interior. S. Peter's (Seamen's) Cuurch, at West Point, close to the Sailors' Home, is a neat Gothic erection with a spire. It also has a stained glass window, presented in 1878 S. Stephen's (native) Church, in Taipin shan, is a plain builling with a bell turret. Union Church is a pleasing edifice in the Italian style of arc'i'ecture, with a spire, and contains a com- modat on or about 500 persons, but owing to lack of financial support has had no regu- larpastor since August 31st, 1884. The Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Wellington Street, is a remarkably p'ain but commodious structure with small twin domes. A site bas been secured and prepared above Glenealy, ani a new Gothic building of much more imposing appearance and dimensions will shortly he built there. S. Joseph's Courel, in Garden Roa, is a neat editice moted in 1876 on the site of one destroyed by the great typ' oon of 1874; and there a several smaller Catbolic mi-sion «burches, There is als a Jewish Sy agogue in Holl we od Road, and a Mahomedan Mosque in Mosque Street. S. Joseph's Colle e, bool 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 esse-8 a Reform story for Chinese boys and several charitable and educational institutions, which are very efficiently managed. O.her denominations likewise support establishments of the sau e claracter, conspicuous among which are the Diocesan Home and Orphanage, the German Foundling House, Baxter Vernacular School, &.

The Pio'e-tant, Roman Catholic, Par see, and Mahomelan Cometeries occupy sites in Wong-nai Chung Valley, and are kept in good order. The Protestant Cemetery is almost a rival to the Public Gardens, being admirably laid out and charmingly situated.

There are & veral Clubs in the Colony. The principal are the Hongkong Club, the Club Germania, in Wyndham St., and the Lusitano Clubin Shelley St. There is a R crea- tion Club, which possesses Bath and Boat houses on the Praya near the Cricket Ground, a Cricket Club, a Gun Club, and a Yacht Club, all kept up with considerable spirit.

The annual races are held at the latternd of February on the Race Course in Wong-nai Chung Valley, at the east end of the town, a beautiful spot enclosed by fir-cla hills. On this occasion the whole clony makes oliday, and the stands and course are crowded with one of the m st motley collections of bumanity to be seen in any part of th well. Most of the races ar: run with North China ponics, and there is generally good sport. A regatta is held in December in the harbour, but it does not evoke the same nthusiasm as the rices. Athletic Sporta

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are also got up every year by the residents and the garrison, and occasional swimming matches and boat races take place. There is an Amteur Dramatic Club, the members of which give several performances in the City Hall Theatre during the sason; and the Choral Soci-ts also provides a series of entertainments. In addition to the attempts made by the colonists to provide amus men's, itinerant co upapies frequently visit Hongkong, and give performances.

There is exellnt Dock accommodation for the largest vessels. The Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limite, have three extensive establishments, two at Kowloon, the uthor at Aberdeen. The Docks of this com, ang are fitel with all appliances for engine-ring and carpenter's work, and are seldom empty. Ano ber large dock is in course of construction by the Company a Kowloon in which the largest ironclads can be received. There are other establishments at which ship. building is carried on, and s me good sized steamers have ben lunched in the Colony Her Majesty's Naval Yard likewise contains machine sheds and fi ting shops on a large sele, and repairs can be effected to the machinery of the British men-of-war with great expedition.

There are several good hotels in the Colony. They are, the Hongkong Hotel, close to the Clock Tower, the Victoria Hotel, facing the Queen's Road and the Pray, and the Saag, in Queen's Road, all of which are entrally situated.