Directory_and_Chronicle_1922 — Page 1066

HONGKONG

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magnificently situated, the houses, many of them large and handsome, rising, tier upon tier, from the water's edge to a height of over five hundred feet on the face of the Peak, while many buildings are visible on the very summit of the hills. Seen from the water at night, when lights twinkle among the trees and houses, the city, spreading along the shore for upwards of four miles, affords a sight not readily to be forgotten.

Nor on landing are the favourable impressions of the stranger dissipated or lessened. The city is fairly well built, the roads and streets are for the most part admirably made and kept, and many of the thoroughfares delightfully shaded with well-grown trees. The European business quarter occupies the middle of the city, from Pottinger Street to the Naval Yard, but with the exception of this limited area almost all the lower levels, especially the Western District, are covered by a dense mass of Chinese shops and tenements. The Botanic Gardens are situated just above Government House, and are tastefully laid out in terraces, slopes, and walks, with parterres of flowers. A handsome fountain adorns the second terrace. There is a bandstand, presented by the Parsee community (but never now occupied by a band), some aviaries, orchid houses, and ferneries, and seats are provided in every spot where a view is obtainable or shade afforded by the varied foliage. A fine bronze statue of Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of the Colony, 1872-6, erected by public subscription, stands above the second terrace looking down on the fountain. It was unveiled in November, 1887, by Governor Sir William Des Voeux. The chief public building is the City Hall, erected in 1866-9 by subscription; it contains a commodious theatre, numerous large rooms used for balls and public meetings (in one of which, known as St. George's Hall, is a fine portrait of the late Queen Victoria, presented by the late Sir Thomas Jackson, Bart., in 1900), a Library and a Museum-both of which, however, have a neglected appearance. In front of the main entrance is a large fountain presented in August, 1864, by Mr. John Dent, a former merchant of the Colony. Eastward of the City Hall is a fine open space or lung, in the shape of the Parade Ground, south of the road, and the Cricket Ground on the north. The latter is furnished with a neat Pavilion, and the turf is kept in perfect order.

The Post Office, an imposing building in which several other Government depart- ments are accommodated, occupies a site with frontages on the Praya, Pedder Street and Des Voeux Road. The Courts of Justice were designed by Sir Aston Webb and Mr. E. Ingress Bell, consulting architects to the Government of Great Britain. The foundation stone was laid in 1903 and the building was completed at a cost of $856,310 and opened in January, 1912. Occupying a site in the centre of Statue Square to the west of the Courts of Justice stands the Jubilee statue of H.M. Queen Victoria, the erection of which was postponed until this site became available; it was unveiled on the 28th May, 1896. The statue represents Queen Victoria seated on her throne, and is of bronze under a stone canopy. Close by, formerly stood a fine bronze statue of the Duke of Connaught, presented by Sir C. P. Chater to the Colony. It was unveiled by Sir William Gascoigne on the 5th July, 1902. This statue was removed in February, 1907, to a site on the waterfront near Blake Pier, and H. R. H. the Duke of Connaught, who paid a second visit to the Colony, this time as Inspector-General of the Forces, on February 6th, 1907, unveiled, in what is now designated the Royal Square, a fine bronze statue of the late King Edward, presented by Sir Paul Chater, C.M.G., and one of H. M. King George, presented by Mr. James Jardine Bell-Irving. A statue of H. M. Queen Alexandra, subscribed for by the Community as a memorial of the Coronation of their Majesties in 1902, and one of H. M. Queen Mary, presented by the late Sir H. N. Mody, were placed in the same Square in 1909. A new ferro-concrete pier is in course of construction at this point on the water front. Government House occupies a commanding situation, in picturesque grounds pleas- ingly laid out, a little above the European business centre. Victoria Gaol is a large and ill-designed structure, with its main entrance from Arbuthnot Road. A branch prison was opened at Lai-chi-kok, Kowloon, in 1920. The Police Barracks and new Central Station adjoin Victoria Gaol, as does the Magistracy, the reconstruction of which was practically completed at the close of 1914. The strength of the Police Force for 1921 was 1,341, of whom 185 were Europeans, 430 Indians, and 726 Chinese (including Water Police). The establishment for 1922 consists of 188 Europcans, 431 Indians, 550 Chinese, and 212 Water Police (composed of Chinese). The Fire Brigade in 1921 con- sisted of 45 Europeans. 2 Indians and 91 Chinese. A Reformatory was built and opened in 1900 at Causeway Bay, the cost of erection being borne by the late Mr. E. R. Belilios, C.M.G.; but the building has not been used for the purpose, the idea having proved im- practicable. The Eyre Diocesan Refuge, an institution founded for rescue work among the Chinese, is now housed in this building. The Lunatic Asylum consists of two small

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