Directory_and_Chronicle_1897 — Page 279

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HONGKONG

are small and unattractive structures. There is a Jewish Synagogue in Staunton Street, and two Mahomedan Mosques one in Shelley Street and the other at Kowloon, the latter being for the accommodation of the men of the Hongkong Regiment. There are also several Protestant mission chapels. St. Joseph's College, a school for boys managed by the Christian Brothers (Roman Catholic), occupies a large and handsome building on a prominent site below Robinson Road. The Italian Convent in Caine Road, educates a large number of girls, and brings up many orphans gratuitously. The Asile de la Sainte Enfance, in Queen's Road East, is in the hands of French Sisters, who receive and train up numbers of Chinese foundlings. The Roman Catholics also possess a Reformatory at West Point for Chinese boys, which is efficiently managed. Other denominations likewise support charitable establishments, conspicuous among which are the Diocesan Home and Orphanage, the Berlin Foundling Hospital on Bonham Road, which has a neat little chapel attached (in which services according to the Lutheran creed are performed), the Baxter Vernacular School, the Victoria Female Home and Orphanage, &c. St. Paul's College, situated between Pedder's Hill and Glenealy Ravine, was erected in 1850, and was originally founded for the purpose of giving a theological training to young Chinese and others intended for the ministry of the Anglican Church, but is now an ordinary school. A small chapel is attached. The college is the residence of the Bishop of Victoria, who is its warden.

The Protestant, Roman Catholic, Parsee, Jewish, and Mahomedan Cemeteries 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 charmingly situated and admirably laid out with fountain, flower beds, and ornamental shrubs. The principal Chinese cemetery is on the slopes of Mount Davis, near the Pokfolum Road, and is dismally bare and injudiciously crowded.

INSTITUTIONS.

There are several Clubs in the Colony. The principal are the Hongkong Club, in Queen's Road, opposite to the Post Office; the Club Germania in Wyndham Street, the City Club in Ice House Street, and the Lusitano Club in Shelley Street. There are also the Victoria Recreation Club, which possesses Bath and Boat houses and Gymnasium on the Praya near the Cricket Ground; a Cricket Club, a Football Club, a Polo Club, a Golf Club, a Hockey Club, a Rifle Association, and a Yacht Club. The Ladies' Recreation Club have several prettily laid out tennis courts and a pavilion in their grounds on the Peak Road.

The Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce have a room in the City Hall, and meet annually. The Committee form its executive, and the Chamber is frequently asked by the Government for its opinion on questions affecting commerce. The Freemasons are a numerous body, having no less than nine lodges. The Freemasons Hall, erected in 1865, is situated in Zetland Street, and belongs to the parent lodge, the Zetland. There is also a lodge of Good Templars. The Sailors' Home occupies a site on the Praya at West Point, and there is a Mission to Seamen. The British Mercantile Marine Officers' Association and the Institution of Marine Engineers have been formed and watch over the interests of those professions. The Hongkong Benevolent Society does good work among the indigent waifs occasionally cast destitute on the Colony. Among other institutions is the St. Andrew's Society, primarily established to ensure the fitting celebration of the anniversary of Scotland's patron saint.

The annual races are held at the latter end of February, under the auspices of the Hongkong Jockey Club, 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 the world. Gymkhanas are also held monthly during the summer. 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 residents and the garrison, and occasionally 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. Philharmonic Society also provides occasional entertainments; and the Smoking Concert Club meets monthly during the season. There are two large Chinese Theatres in Taipingshan, where the Chinese drama is pretty constantly on view. The Tung Hing Theatre, which was only completed and opened in 1892, is a fine building constructed on modern principles, and with special regard to the safety of the auditors. There are three daily papers published in English: the Hongkong Daily Press, which appears in the morning, the China Mail and the Hongkong Telegraph, issued in the evening. There are two weekly papers, the Hongkong Weekly Press and China Overland

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