Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 1101

HONGKONG

1015.

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. Sir Paul Chater desired to add a statue of the Prince of Wales in commemoration of His Royal Highness's visit in April, 1922, but, at the Prince's request, the money ($50,000) was invested instead for the local branch of the British Legion and the Ex-Active Service Men's Association.. 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 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. An additional Magistracy was opened at Kowloon in 1924. The strength of the Police Force for 1930 was 270 Europeans, 745 Indians, 882 Chinese and 240 Water Police (composed of Chinese).

The total authorised strength of the Fire Brigade (including Motor Ambulance Service) for 1930 was 280, comprising (Europeans) 12 officers; (Chinese) 120 firemen, and 32 motor drivers, 32 float men, and 71 other ranks. 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 idea having proved impracticable, the building was taken over by the French Convent. The Lunatic Asylum consists of two small buildings, one for Euro- peans and the other for Chinese, below Bonham Road in the western part of the town. Adjacent is the Government Civil Hospital. The Alice Memorial Hospital is a useful and philanthropic institution; affiliated with it is the Nethersole Hospital on Bonham Road. The Royal Naval Hospital occupies a small eminence near Bowrington, and the Military Hospital, a fine range of buildings, completed in 1907, occupies a com- manding site above Bowen Road. The Hongkong University, a large and handsome building erected in a commanding position at the west end of the city, was opened in 1912. Queen's College, a commodious structure, which stands on a site having its chief frontage on Hollywood Road is the home of the chief Government educational institution in the Colony. King's College, a fine building accommodating nearly a thousand students was opened in 1926 in Bonham Road. The Belilios Public School for Girls, in Gough Street, is the chief Government centre of female education. Extensive new buildings for St. Stephen's Girls' College, however, have been erected on a site between Park Road and Lyttleton Road. The foundation-stone was laid by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales during his visit to the Colony in April, 1922, and the building was opened by Lady Stubbs in January, 1924. The Tung Wa Hospital, a Chinese institution, which has been of great utility in the Colony, was considerably enlarged in 1903, and new plague wards were added in 1909. A new wing, to provide accommodation for 120 patients, was completed in 1921. A Tung Wah Eastern Hospital was opened in 1929 by Sir Cecil Clementi at the Caroline Hill Road. A well-designed Plague Hospital for Chinese, situated at Kennedy Town, was also built at the expense of the Chinese community. In April 1930, Mrs. Southorn (wife of the then Acting Governor the Hon. Mr. W. T. Southorn) presided at the laying of the foundation stone of the Hongkong War Memorial Hospital on Mount Kellet. There is accomodation for about 50 European patients, while provision was made in the plans for an extension which will accommodate from 30 to 50 more. An up-to-date X Ray department and two excellent operating theatres are features of the new hospital. The Barracks for the garrison are extensive, and the buildings belonging to the Naval Establishment are spacious if not substantial. The chief cantonments lie on both sides of the Queen's Road, between the Cricket Ground and Arsenal Street, Wanchai. Representations have been made to the Imperial authorities to relinquish this area in order that it may be available for the constantly growing needs of the commercial community. Terms for the surrender of the property have been offered to and accepted by the local Government, but owing to the general trade depression since the strike in 1925, the matter was dropped and has not been subsquently re-opened. The town has spread to the East on the new Praya, and building developments are proceeding so rapidly there that it promises to become the most thriving district in the Eastern part