No_5_1955 — Page 9

NEW DAIRY FARM BUILDING

MANSON HOUSE

74 78, NATHAN ROAD,

K. I. L. 6362

Architects:-

Messrs. Harriman Realty Co., Ltd.

The site occupied by The Dairy Farm, Jee & Cold Storage Co., Ltd., för their restaurant and bakery department, at the corner of Nathan Road and Humphreys Avenue is to be redeveloped. Construction will start later in the year on a building. 15 storeys above street level, to be known as Manson House,"

The Company began in 1886 as a dairy farm; unfortunately, about ten years later, rinderpest carried off the whole of the herd and th: Company went into liquida- tion. Later that year 1896 the pre- sent Company was incorporated, also as a dairy farm.

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In 1904, the Company took over the agency for the meat trade from Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, and this was the start of its retail meat trade and ships' victualling business. The Dairy Farm ac- quired the Hongkong Ice Company from Jardine's in 1918, since when there has been a great expansion in ice making and cold storage.

The first down-town retail branch of the organization was opened in 1934 in the

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Architects' perspective drawing of "Manson House" looking towards the corner of Nathan Road and Humphreys Avenue, with a photograph (below left) of part of the old building it will replace.

former St. Francis Hotel Building: prior Road House, and Gloucester Lounge in to that branches were operated at The 1935; and Windsor House in 1941. Peak, Quarry Bay (Taikoo Dockyard), Lower Albert Road, Nathan Road. Hung- hom Kowloon Dock) and Essex Crescent. A branch was later opened in Prince Ed- ward Road.

In 1940, the Company moved its Head- quarters froni Lower Albert Road to Windsor House and in 1941 the present Windsor House shop was established.

At first, only light refreshments Were served but demand compelled entry into the restaurant business, which has con- siderably expanded since the war and now includes catering for aircraft and for par- ties and functions outside the Company's premises.

The latest developments to be initiated in the Colony by the Dairy Farm are in the fields of Quick Freezing Fish and Sea Food, and Self Service Shops.

From 1934. the Dairy Farm began to extend its activities in the Soda Fountain business, establishing a number of Soda Fountains in the following localities: St. The Company's association Francis Hotel, and Repulse Bay Garden Nathan Road site dates back about 20 Kiosk in 1934: 78 Nathan Road, Tin Kau years, but nothing much is known of its

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