Old Hong Kong-2 — Page 12

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

EARLY AGITATION FOR RAILWAY - 1

A rather full history of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (British section) appeared in this series last year (see 29 and 30-5-34). However, there were several previous efforts to promote the project, which have not been included here, and are of some historical importance. It is intended to discuss these now.

As early as 1859, the idea of linking Hongkong to other places by rail arose. A plan to connect Calcutta to Canton and then to Kowloon by a railway was proposed by Sir MacDonald Stephenson, who put through some railway undertakings in India. The proposal first came before the Colony's business men in June 1859; and in February 1864, Sir MacDonald came himself to Hongkong and exhibited a large map showing how he proposed to connect Calcutta, Peking and Hongkong. The question as to whether this would benefit or injure Hong Kong's interests was much debated; but as the Chinese Government gave the matter no encouragement at all, it never got beyond the discussion stage.

It is interesting to find that local Chinese merchants favoured the scheme; in 1865, when the British Governor passed through Hongkong, they sent a deputation to urge on him that the British Government support the plan.

Page 853

It is likely that the idea of connecting Hongkong (via Kowloon) to Canton by railway arose soon after the peninsula was acquired (in 1860). We certainly find the matter discussed at the beginning of the Seventies.

For instance, a local newspaper, the China Mail, on November 22, 1872, states, rather un-prophetically:

"A second correspondent (who might advantageously have expressed his desire for easy travelling over a less eccentric-looking signature) writes to the Daily Press to confirm the views of the writer, whose proposition to lay a line of railroad at Kowloon we recently noticed. He charges us with seeming to entirely overlook the object of constructing such a railroad, which, he assumes, would induce the Chinese to invite us to lay down a line to Canton &c. We did not overlook it; we simply said, and still think, it would be useless. All that a very short railroad in British territory would do, would be to illustrate its mechanical advantages, and of these the natives have but little doubt. But it would, in no way, illustrate the business facilities which render a railway desirable.

"The advantage of laying a line of rail, in the first place at the North, would simply be those of impressing the provincial authorities with the fact that it was of no use making absurd complaints against local lines, while the principal officials of the Empire were actually seeing and using a similar line themselves. By all means let us have a line to Canton as soon as possible: but let us bear in mind that no Viceroy, even if personally well-disposed, and able to guarantee the good conduct of the peasantry in his provinces, will venture to father a railway until thoroughly assured of superior approval. It is under this conviction that we write as we do: and we may add that our own opinion is that held by nearly all foreign and native officials.

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EARLY AGITATION FOR RAILWAY - 1 A rather full history of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (British section) appeared in this series last year (see 29 and 30-5-34). However, there were several previous efforts to promote the project, which have not been included here, and are of some historical importance. It is intended to discuss these now. As early as 1859, the idea of linking Hongkong to other places by rail arose. A plan to connect Calcutta to Canton and then to Kowloon by a railway was proposed by Sir MacDonald Stephenson, who put through some railway undertakings in India. The proposal first came before the Colony's business men in June 1859; and in February 1864, Sir MacDonald came himself to Hongkong and exhibited a large map showing how he proposed to connect Calcutta, Peking and Hongkong. The question as to whether this would benefit or injure Hong Kong's interests was much debated; but as the Chinese Government gave the matter no encouragement at all, it never got beyond the discussion stage. It is interesting to find that local Chinese merchants favoured the scheme; in 1865, when the British Governor passed through Hongkong, they sent a deputation to urge on him that the British Government support the plan. Page 853 It is likely that the idea of connecting Hongkong (via Kowloon) to Canton by railway arose soon after the peninsula was acquired (in 1860). We certainly find the matter discussed at the beginning of the Seventies. For instance, a local newspaper, the China Mail, on November 22, 1872, states, rather un-prophetically: "A second correspondent (who might advantageously have expressed his desire for easy travelling over a less eccentric-looking signature) writes to the Daily Press to confirm the views of the writer, whose proposition to lay a line of railroad at Kowloon we recently noticed. He charges us with seeming to entirely overlook the object of constructing such a railroad, which, he assumes, would induce the Chinese to invite us to lay down a line to Canton &c. We did not overlook it; we simply said, and still think, it would be useless. All that a very short railroad in British territory would do, would be to illustrate its mechanical advantages, and of these the natives have but little doubt. But it would, in no way, illustrate the business facilities which render a railway desirable. "The advantage of laying a line of rail, in the first place at the North, would simply be those of impressing the provincial authorities with the fact that it was of no use making absurd complaints against local lines, while the principal officials of the Empire were actually seeing and using a similar line themselves. By all means let us have a line to Canton as soon as possible: but let us bear in mind that no Viceroy, even if personally well-disposed, and able to guarantee the good conduct of the peasantry in his provinces, will venture to father a railway until thoroughly assured of superior approval. It is under this conviction that we write as we do: and we may add that our own opinion is that held by nearly all foreign and native officials.

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EARLY AGITATION FOR RAILWAY - 1 A rather full history of the Kowloon-Canton Railway (British section) appeared in this series last year (see 29 and 30-5-34). However, there were several previous efforts to promote the project, which have not been included here, and are of some historical importance. It is intended to discuss these now. As early as 1859, the idea of linking Hongkong to other places by rail arose. A plan to connect Calcutta to Cant on ana then to Kowloon by a railway was proposed by Sir Mac- Donald Stephenson, who put through some railway undertakings in India. The proposal first came before the Colony's business men in june 1359: and in February 1864, 3ir MacDonald came himself to Hɔngkɔng and exhibited a large up showing how he proposed to connect Calcutta, Peking and Hongkong. The question as to whether this would benefit or injure Hong Kong's interests was much debated; but as the Chire se Govern- mont gave the matter no encouragement at all, it never got beyond the discussion stage. It is interesting to find that local Chine se merchant s favoured the scheme; in 1865, when the British passed through Hongkong, they sent a deputation to urge on him that the British Government support the plan. 853 It is likely that the idea of connecting Hongkong (via Kowloon) to Canton by railway arose soon after the peninsula was acquired (in 1860). We certainly find the matter dis- cussed at the beginning of the Seventies. For instance, a local newspaper, the China Mail, on November 22, 1872, states, rather un-prophetically: "A second correspondent (who might advantageously have expressed his desire for easy travelling over a less eccentric- looking signature) writes to the Daily Press to confirm the views of the writer, whose proposition to lay a line of railroad ut Kowloon we recently noticed. He charges us with seeming to entirely overlook the object of constructing such a railroad, which, he assumes, would induce the Chinese to invite us to lay down a line to Cancon &c. We did not overlook it; we simply Said, am still think, it would be useless. All that a very short railroad in British territory would do, would be to illustrate its mechanical advantages, and of these the natives Aave but little doubt. But it would, in no way, illustrate the business facilities which render a railway desirable. "The advantage of laying a line rail, in the first place at the North, would simply be those of impressing the provincial authorities with the fact that it was of no use making absurd complaints against local lines, while the principal officials of the Empire were actually seeing and using a similar line themselves. By all means let us have a line to Canton as soon as possible: but let us bear in mind that no Viceroy, even if personally well-disposed, and able to guarantee the good conduct of the peasantty in his provinces, will venture to father a railway until thoroughly assured of superior approval. It is under this conviction that we write as we do: ani we may add that our own opinion is that held by nearly all foreign and native officials.

2026-05-02 10:49:19 · Baseline

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EARLY AGITATION FOR RAILWAY - 1

As early as 1859, the idea of linking Hongkong to other places by rail arose. A plan to connect Calcutta to Cant on ana then to Kowloon by a railway was proposed by Sir Mac- Donald Stephenson, who put through some railway undertakings in India. The proposal first came before the Colony's business men in june 1359: and in February 1864, 3ir MacDonald came himself to Hɔngkɔng and exhibited a large up showing how he proposed to connect Calcutta, Peking and Hongkong. The question as to whether this would benefit or injure Hong Kong's interests was much debated; but as the Chire se Govern- mont gave the matter no encouragement at all, it never got beyond the discussion stage.

It is interesting to find that local Chine se merchant s favoured the scheme; in 1865, when the British passed through Hongkong, they sent a deputation to urge on him that the British Government support the plan.

853

It is likely that the idea of connecting Hongkong (via Kowloon) to Canton by railway arose soon after the peninsula was acquired (in 1860). We certainly find the matter dis- cussed at the beginning of the Seventies.

For instance, a local newspaper, the China Mail, on November 22, 1872, states, rather un-prophetically:

"A second correspondent (who might advantageously have expressed his desire for easy travelling over a less eccentric- looking signature) writes to the Daily Press to confirm the views of the writer, whose proposition to lay a line of railroad ut Kowloon we recently noticed. He charges us with seeming to entirely overlook the object of constructing such a railroad, which, he assumes, would induce the Chinese to invite us to lay down a line to Cancon &c. We did not overlook it; we simply Said, am still think, it would be useless. All that a very short railroad in British territory would do, would be to illustrate its mechanical advantages, and of these the natives Aave but little doubt. But it would, in no way, illustrate the business facilities which render a railway desirable.

"The advantage of laying a line rail, in the first place at the North, would simply be those of impressing the provincial authorities with the fact that it was of no use making absurd complaints against local lines, while the principal officials of the Empire were actually seeing and using a

similar line themselves. By all means let us have a line to

Canton as soon as possible: but let us bear in mind that no Viceroy, even if personally well-disposed, and able to guarantee the

good conduct of the peasantty in his provinces, will venture

to father a railway until thoroughly assured of superior approval. It is under this conviction that we write as we do: ani we may add that our own opinion is that held by nearly all foreign and native officials.

Old Hong Kong-2 — Page 12

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