Directory_and_Chronicle_1921 — Page 1054

HONGKONG

INSTITUTIONS

969

There are several Clubs in the Colony. The principal are the Hongkong Club on the New Praya, the Club Germania in Kennedy Road (closed shortly after the outbreak of the war and now occupied as a school by the Christian Brothers), the Club Lusitano in Shelley Street, the Phoenix Club on the Praya, and the Nippon Club in Des Voeux Road. The Hongkong Club is a handsome building replete with every modern comfort; a large annexe was completed in 1902. The Peak Club is domiciled in a pretty building at Plunkett Gap, and possesses tennis and croquet lawns on land adjoining. There are also the United Services Recreation Club, Cricket Clubs, Football Clubs, a Polo Club, a Golf Club, a Hockey Club, a Chess Club, 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 rooms in the Chartered Bank Building and meet annually. The Committee form its executive, and the Chamber is frequently asked by the Government for its opinion on questions affecting commerce. There is a branch here of the China Association, with its separate Committee. The Freemasons' Hall, erected in 1865, is situated in Zetland Street, and belongs to the parent lodge, the Zetland. The Sailors' Home occupies a site at West Point, and there is a Mission to Seamen. The Institution of Marine Engineers watches over the interests of that profession. The Hongkong Benevolent Society does good work among the indigent waifs occasionally cast destitute on the Colony. The Helena May Institute for Women, named after Lady May, situated in Garden Road, was opened on September 12th, 1916. Among other institutions are the St. Andrew's Society, primarily established to ensure the fitting celebration of the anniversary of Scotland's patron saint; the St. George's Society, started in 1917; the Constitutional Reform Association, started in 1917, primarily, as its name implies, for the purpose of obtaining a more representative form of Government; and the Kowloon Residents' Association.

The annual races are held in the month 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. Gymkhanas also take place monthly during the summer. Regattas are held in December in the harbour but they do not evoke the same enthusiasm as the races. Athletic Sports are also held every year by the residents and the garrison, and occasionally swimming matches and boat races take place. There is a Philharmonic Society and also an Amateur Dramatic Club, the members of which give occasional performances in the Theatre Royal during the season. There are three large Chinese Theatres, where the Chinese drama is almost constantly on view.

There are four daily papers published in English: the Hongkong Daily Press and the South China Morning Post, which appear 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 China Mail. The Directory and Chronicle for China, Japan, Straits Settlements, &c., has been issued annually since 1863 from the Daily Press Office. The native Press is represented by five daily papers-the Wah Sheung Chung Wui Po (with which is incorporated the Chung Ngoi San Po, the oldest vernacular journal, published at the Daily Press Office); the Wa Tsz Yat Po, or Chinese Mail; the T'sun Wan Yat Po, the Kung Wo Po and the Tai Kwong Po. There is also a small Japanese paper called the Hongkong Nippo. The Government Gazette is published once a week.

There are several good hotels in Victoria, the leading ones in the city being the Hongkong Hotel, extending from Queen's Road to Des Voeux Road, and the King Edward Hotel, situated in Des Voeux Road. The Peak Hotel is situated at Victoria Gap, about 1,400 feet above

the sea, and provides considerable accommodation. A palatial building on Kennedy Road, erected as a residence for the late Mr. E. R. Belilios, c. M.G., but never occupied by him, has been converted into a private hotel, and named Kingsclere. On the other side of the island a hotel at Repulse Bay was opened on New Year's Day, 1920, by the H.E. Sir R. E Stubbs. In Kowloon there are the Station Hotel and the Palace Hotel.

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