Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 1107

HONOKONG

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Company maintains a fleet of eleven steam and motor tugs and launches and 114 lighters of from 50 to 200 tous capacity; its godowns (including separate buildings for extra hazardous, hazardous and non-hazardous goods and bonded warehouse for storage of dutiable goods) have a total capacity of about 300,000 measurement tons. An open space (343,343 sq. ft.) is also provided for storage of timber and other cargoes not requiring cover. The newer godowns are equipped with electric conveyors and electric cranes. Sixteen cargo cranes are operated on shore and five afloat, with a lifting capacity up to 25 tons. There is additional accommodation at West Point, the principal Chinese business quarter. A large staff of Swatow coolies, trained to handle cargo, is employed and housed by the Company, which also maintains an effective force of detectives and watchmen to prevent robberies and pilferage

Holt's Wharf has a frontage of 1,600 ft. and an area of 108,000 sq. ft. The storage accommodation comprises five, four and two-storey warehouses with a capacity of 25,000 measurement tons. A large fleet of tugs and lighters is also maintained. Both these wharves are connected by special siding with the railway.

With cargo delivered from transit godown, the system is for consignees to obtain Agents' countersignature to their Bills of Lading, after which the Bills of Lading are stamped off for delivery at the Godown Office, and consignees go to the godowns where their cargo is delivered to them, seven days' free storage (not counting date of arrival) being allowed, after which overtime is charged. Only a portion of a steamer's cargo is taken direct by consignees from transit godowns, the balance usually being trans- ferred to storage godowns under instructions from the consignees, the greater part of the merchandise being held under lien to the various banks. Warrants are issued for such cargo and the merchants issue Delivery Orders as and when required.

THE PEAK DISTRICT

A well-made but steeply-graded mountain road leads up from the centre of the city to the summit of Victoria Peak, with numerous other paths branching off from it at Victoria Gap along the adjoining hills. A tramway, on the wire rope system, runs to the Victoria Gap, the lower terminus being close to St. John's Cathedral. It was opened to traffic on the 30th May, 1888. Passengers can alight at the Kennedy, Bowen, May, and Plantation Roads, where stations are provided for their accommodation. The Military acquired the commodious Mount Austin Hotel at Victoria Gap for the purpose of a sanatorium in 1897. The Peak Club is domiciled in a neat building at Plunkett Gap near the point of junction with Chamber- lain Road and Mount Kellett road. It was erected in 1902 and enlarged in 1912 by the addition of a second storey. The Peak Church, an unpretending structure after the similitude of a jelly mould, was opened for worship in June, 1883. Extensive accom- modation for visitors is afforded at the Peak Hotel. The Peak Hospital is situated at Victoria Gap, just above the Peak Hotel. The Victoria (Jubilee) Hospital occupying a breezy site on Barker Road, was opened by Sir Henry Blake on November 7th, 1903, partly as the result of public subscription. A new block was added to it in 1923. Yet another hospital, named "The Matilda Hospital," is situated at the southern corner of Mount Kellett. It was built at a cost of about $350,000 and opened in 1906. The expense of erection and maintenance are borne by the estate of the late Mr. Granville Sharp, who devoted the bulk of his fortune to provide such an institution for the benefit of persons needing it who are of European or American birth. A further hospital, the War Memorial Nursing Home, is in course of erection on Mount Kellett Road.

The road from Victoria Gap westward leads to Victoria Peak, which is 1,823 feet above the sea and rises almost abruptly behind the centre of the city of Victoria. On the summit is placed the flagstaff, from which the approach of the mails and other vessels is signalled. Not far from the summit of the Peak, on a most command- ing site, stands Mountain Lodge, the summer residence of H.E. the Governor, which was erected in 1901. Another road northward from Victoria Gap and known as Lugard Road was completed in 1920, and, with Harlech Road, encircles Victoria Peak. From there a road leads down to the West end of the City. Another road in a directly opposite direction leads from Victoria Gap to Magazine Gap, where a second hill village of foreign residences has been formed on the southern side of the hills at an area of about 900 feet above the sea. There is also a road from Victoria Gap down to Pokfolum and Aberdeen, and at the side of this, about half a mile from the Gap, a small granite cross has been erected. This bears the inscription :-"W. W. H., 1869" and marks the place where Mr. Holworthy, an officer of the Ordnance Department, was murdered and robbed. The Peak roads are lighted by incandescent gas lamps.