Directory_and_Chronicle_1901 — Page 796

HONGKONG

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the parent lodge, the Zetland. The Sailors' Home occupies a site 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 also take place 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. There are two large Chinese Theatres, 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.

The

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 Trade Report and the Overland Čhină Mail, The Chronicle and Directory for China, Japan, Straits Settlements, &c., appears annually, published at the Daily Press office, China Review, which is devoted to reviews and papers on Chinese topies, is published once every two months. The native Press is represented by four daily papers-the Chung Ngoi Sun Po, which is the oldest and most influential, published at the Daily Press office; the 'a Tsz Yat Po, or Chinese Mail; the Tsun Wan Yat Po, and the Wai Sun Yat Po. There is a Portuguese weekly paper called O Porvir. The Govern- ment Gazette is published once a week.

There are several good hotels in Victoria. The principal one in the city is the Hongkong Hotel, close to the Clock Tower, and extending from the Praya to Queen's Road, a handsome building, six stories high, and containing 150 rooms. The Peak Hotel is situated at Victoria Gap, about 1,400 feet above the sea, and provides considerable accommodation.

INDUSTRIES

Manufactures are yearly increasing in importance. There are three large sugar refineries: the China Sugar Refining Co's establishments at East Point and at Bowring- ton, and the Taikoo Sugar Refinery at Quarry Bay. In connection with the first-named Company there is also a large Distillery, where a considerable quantity of rum is manu- factured. There is an Ice Factory at Bowrington, a large Rope Factory in Belcher's Bay, Steam Saw Mills at Bowrington, a Glass Manufactory and a Match Manufactory at Kowloon, a Feather Cleaning and Packing Establishment at Kennedytown, a Soap Factory at Shaukiwan, a Match Factory at Hungham, and two or three Engineering Works. The Green Island Cement Company has works at Deep Water Bay, on the south side of the island, and at Kowloon Bay, beyond Hongkong. A Paper Mill on a considerable scale, fitted with the best English machinery, was erected at Aberdeen in 1891. The works of the Hongkong and China Gas Company are situated at West Point, and those of the Hongkong Electric Company at Wanchai. The city is illuminated partly by gas and partly by the electric light, the latter having been introduced at the end of 1890. Among the industries pursued by the Chinese are glass blowing, opium boiling, soap making, vermilion and soy manufacture, tauning, dyeing; beancurd, toothpowder, and cigar making, boat building, &c., &c. The Hongkong Cotton Spinn- ing, Weaving, and Dyeing Company, Limited, has a mill of 50,000 spindles at So Kunpo, which commenced running with 12,000 spindles in June, 1899.

There is excellent Dock accommodation. The Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company, Limited, have three extensive establishments, one at Kowloon, one at Tai Kok Tsui, and the third at Aberdeen on the south side of the Island. The establishments of this company are fitted with all the best and latest appliances for engineering and carpenter's work, and the largest vessel in H.M's Navy has been received into the No. 1 Dock at Kowloon. The docks and slips are of the following dimensions:-Kowloon: —No. 1 (Admiralty) Dock-376 feet in length, 86 feet in breadth at entrance at top and 70