No_6_1955 — Page 61

THE HONG KONG ELECTRIC CO., LTD.

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Arch feel's impression of the new Station building when empleted,

The Company is one of the oldest firmed, the building, plant and machinery water pumping project. This cancellation power companies in the world. being expenditure passed and it was decided to would obviously result in the loss of a incorporated on the 24th January, 1889. capitalise the Company in the sum of considerable part of the revenue and, in

W. H. Wickham was then resident in the Colony as Far Eastern representative of Messrs. Johnson and Phillips, and he was engaged to draw up a complete plan for plant and equipment together with costs. The first estimate of costs was as follows:-

Machinery

$ 120,000 Freight Building

$300,000.

Messrs. Danby and Leigh were instruct- rd, as architects. to supervise the build ing. The same firm and in the name of Messrs. Leigh & Orange, are still connect ed with the Company in a similar capacity.

addition, the plant for pumping had already been ordered with its attendant financial commitment. After six months of re-negotiation with Government, it was finally decided that the arc lamps should be increased by 14 to 64 and that Govern- ment would pay a lump sum to the Com- The first cost of the Company had been pany for the loss of the pumping contract. forecast with the knowledge that a cer-

The work of erecting engines and boilers tain income would be derived from the commenced in June 1890 and the supply so are lamps and the power provided for of electricity under the contract began on pumping water to the Peak. At the end ist December. 1890. Owing to a defect The Statutory Meeting was held on 25th of the first year, however, Government in the design of the lamp fittings the May 1889 at which the Board was con- indicated that they wished to cancel the

Total

30,000

24,0x0

$ 174.000

Photograph of the Station taken about 1924.

lighting was however interrupted during the second week of supply, but after the defects had been remedied the lamps proved so satisfactory that 14 more were lit in the following May, with a further contract to supply more, and by the end of 1891, 75 street lamps were lit and over too incandescent lights.

In 1891 Mr. W. H. Wickham was ap pointed Engineer and Manager on agree- ment at a salary of $270 per menzem. It is interesting to note that when Mr. Wickham retired from the Colony he was appointed London Agent and served in that capacity until 31 when he retir- ed, and he is still enjoying retirement the age of over 40 years.

at

Was

was

During 1891 a spirit of pessimism prevalent regarding the future of the Com- pany and indeed, great difficulty encountered when calling up Capital. OF the original share issue many were can- celed as the first call had not been paid.

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