Directory_and_Chronicle_1912 — Page 1336

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HONGKONG

THE RURAL DISTRICTS

There are several villages on the island, the largest of which is Shau-ki Wan, situate in a bay in the Ly-ee-mùn Pass, a great resort of Chinese fishing craft. Aberdeen, known to the Chinese as Shek-pai-wan, on the south of the island, possesses a well sheltered little harbour, also much frequented by fishing craft. Two large docks of the Hongkong and Whampoa Dock Company are situated there, and add to the importance of the place. Pokfolum, on the road to Aberdeen, about four miles from Victoria, was formerly a place of resort for European residents in the hot weather, and some elegant bungalows were erected in pleasant and picturesque situations, commanding fine sea views and cool breezes, but since the development of the Peak district Pokfolum has been comparatively neglected. The sanitarium of the French Missions is located at Pokfolum, and is a fine building with an elegant chapel attached. The Dairy Farm is also situated there. Wong-nai Chung is snugly located at the head of the valley of that name and is the most accessible of all the villages from Victoria. Stanley, situated in a small bay on the south-east of the island, was once the site of a military station, but the barrack buildings have been pulled down, and the village is now stationary. A cemetery on the point contains numerous graves of British officers and soldiers. One of the places most in favour with pedestrians who are not afraid of a good long tramp is the little village of Tytam Tuk, nestling among trees at the mouth of the stream of the same name, which here enters Tytam Bay, the most extensive inlet on the southern coast. There are good carriage roads from Victoria both to Aberdeen and Shau-ki Wan and bridle roads to Stanley and Tytam, and as a memorial of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria a new road round the body of the island was constructed. Saiwan is a small village picturesquely situated in Saiwan Bay, just outside the Ly-ee-mùn Pass, and is also much frequented by pienic parties. In the belies that it was a healthy locality, small barracks were erected there early in the 'fortiesf but the experiment proved most disastrous, for in five weeks out of a detachmen, of 20 English soldiers five died and three more were removed in a dangerout condition. The buildings were therefore soon abandoned. Shek O is a small but prettily located village occupying a small valley shut in from the water on the eastern coast, not far from Cape D'Âguilar.

KOWLOON AND OTHER DEPENDENCIES

Across the harbour is the dependency of British Kowloon. Some four square miles of the peninsula was first granted in perpetual lease by the Kwangtung Government to Sir Harry (then Mr.) Parkes, but was definitely ceded to Great Britain in 1860 by Article VI. of the Peking Convention. Yau-ma-ti, the principal village, has increased in population, and bids fair soon to become an important town. There is a considerable Chinese junk trade at this place, and amongst other industries is a preserved ginger factory. Gas Works were erected heire in 1892, and the settled portion of the peninsula is lighted with gas; electricity is also now largely used, the generating station being at Hunghom. Waterworks were established in 1895, but with the rapid growth in the population, further provision was necessary, and the new waterworks now almost completed provides for the supply of a million gallons daily. Three regiments of Indian infantry are stationed at Tsim-tsa Tsui, where barracks and officers' quarters are located and a Mahommedan mosque has been erected. At Tsim-tsa Tsui, too, a number of European houses have been. erected and numerous gardens laid out, and this portion of the peninsula, which faces Victoria, is gradually developing into a European residential settlement A. fine bund, with a massive granite wall, has been constructed there, and an extesive range of godowns built and several fine wharves made for discharging cargon and coaling. During 1905 and 1906 extensive reclamation works were carried out extending eastward from the godown company's property to Hunghom. Messrs. Butterfield & Swire have erected extensive godown accommodation on the reclamation. The same period will also be remembered by the building of two churches at Kowloon St. Andrew's, in Robinson Road being the gift of the Hon. Sir C. P. Chater, C. M. G. and the Roman Catholic Church in Des Voeux Road, the gift of Dr. S. A. Gomes. There are two hotels, one possessing large accommodation. The Kowloon British School was erected in 1901 on Robinson Road at the expense of Mr. Ho Tung. The Navy maintains a small naval yard, subsidiary to the principal establishment on the Hongkong side. A well equipped Observatory is situated on Mount Elgin; and a large and handsome Police Station for the Water Police occupies an eminence just

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