Directory_and_Chronicle_1932 — Page 1001

HONGKONG

WHARVES AND GODOWNS

915

Cargo is handled both in midstream and at wharves. In the former case transit by means of lighter or native junk is the rule. Steamers surrounded five deep on either side by native craft are consequently a normal feature of Hongkong Harbour.

The Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, Limited, owns a water frontage 2,000 feet in length at Kowloon, the total area of its pro- perty being 1,201,350 square feet. It has nine berths capable of berthing steamers 650 feet in length with a draught of 32 feet at lowest spring tides. A new wharf, 800 feet in length, and 60 feet in breadth, is in course of con- struction. Light railway lines facilitate the transfer of cargo to or from transit godowns or from steamer to steamer at the wharves. A railway siding connects the premises with the Kowloon-Canton Railway. The Company maintains a fleet of eleven steam and motor tugs and launches and 114 lighters of from 50 to 200 tons capacity; its godowns (including separate buildings for extra hazardous, hazardous and non-hazardous goods and bonded ware- house 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 con- signees 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 transferred 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 branch- ing 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

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 Plun- kett Gap near the point of junction with Chamberlain 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 accommodation 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