858
Perhaps by way of a bad omen, Mr. H.N. Mody received a severe shock that afternoon while inspecting the mill. The visitors were ascending to the top floor by an ingenious lift consisting of a succession of wooden steps attached to an endless belt. Mr. Mody stepped on to one of the small wooden "platforms" and was taken to the top. On arrival there he delayed jumping off and the belt continued towards the place where it turned. Realising his danger, Mr. Mody jumped backward just in time and, falling, struck the floor heavily with his hip and head. The severe shock caused semi-unconsciousness. Dr. Thornicraft speedily attended to him, and Mr. Rennie, Sir Paul Chater and the other members of the party assisted by every means in their power. Restoratives were administered, and after hasty medical examination, the injured man was carried in a litter to the launch Canada which steamed at once to Hongkong. Fortunately the injuries were not considered serious. On inquiry later it was stated that Mr. Mody, although suffering from contusions and shock, was much better, and was able to converse with his friends,
Everything went well with the mills at first. The S.C.M. Post of April 15, 1907, reports:
A few days ago His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G., the Governor of Hongkong, made an inspection of Junk Bay Mills. He went out from Hongkong to Junk Bay on the yacht Canada, accompanied by the Hon. Sir Paul Chater, Mr. H.N. Mody, Capt. Coleman, A.D.C., and Mr. Rennie. A most minute inspection was made over every portion of the property, including the machinery, blowing plant, pig sties, the dwelling hulk "Maple Leaf", the hospital, surgery, etc.
His Excellency expressed himself very much pleased with what he saw, especially with the working of the Diesel oil-engines. Interviewed on the subject by a representative of the South China Morning Post he said:
"My general impression was that the Mills were economically and efficiently conducted. I do not know enough about the trade to say whether the enterprise will be the success which the promoters seem to anticipate, but I cannot conceive that wheat can be converted into good flour more economically than is done at Junk Bay. I would draw your attention to my remark in the report of the Blue Book in 1905, pointing out the great necessity for new industries in the Colony to compensate for changing conditions as regards trade. From that point of view the establishment of these Mills is, as I then remarked, a matter of great moment to the Colony. From another standpoint it is very obvious that a large store of flour, and wheat within the line of our defences might be of considerable importance in time of war with a Maritime Power.
"A new road is being made towards Customs Pass and it is probable that an extension of this road to the Mills at Junk Bay will be found necessary in the near future. The shores of this bay offer suitable sites for new industries, and this part of the Colony is likely to receive considerable development within the next few years."
Unfortunately, as we shall see in the next article, these hopes were doomed to disappointment.
2.
858
Perhaps by way of a bad omen, Mr. H.N. Mody received c severe shook that afternoon while inspecting the mill. The visitors were ascending to the top floor by an ingenious lift consisting of a succession of wooden steps attached to an endless belt. Mr. Mody stepped on to one of the small wooden "platforms" and was taken to the top. On arrival there he delayed jumping off and the belt continued towards the place where it turned. Realising his danger, Mr. Mody jumped backward Just in time and, falling, struck the floor heavily with his hip and head. The severe shock caused semi-unconscious- ness. Dr. Thornicraft speedly attended to him, and Mr. Rennie, Sir Paul Chater and the other members of the perty assisted by every means in the ir power. Restoratives were administered, and after hasty medical examination, the injured man was carried in a litter to the launch Canada which steamed at once to Hongkong. Fortunately the injuries were not considered serious. On inquiry
later it was stated that Mr. Mody, although suffering from contusions and shock, was much better, and was able to converse with his friends,
•
Everything went well with the mills at first. The S.C.M. Post of April 15, 1907; reports:
A few days ago His Excellency Sir Matthew Nathen, K.C.M.G., the Governor of Hongkong, made an inspection of Junk Bay Mills. He went out from Hongkong to Junk Bay on the yacht Canede, accompanied by the Hon. Sir Paul Chater, Mr. H.N. Mody, Capt. Coleman, A.D.C., and Mr. Rennie. A most minute inspection was Trade over every portion of the property, including the machinery, blowing plant, pig sties, the dwelling hulk "Maple Leaf", the hospital, surgery, etc.
His Excellency expressed himself very much pleased with what he saw, especially with the working of the Diesel oil-engines. Interviewed on the subject by a representative of the South China Morning Post he said:
"My general impression was that the Mills were economically end efficiently conducted. I do not know enough about the trade to say whether the enterprise will be the succees which the promoters seem to anticipate, but I cannot conceive that wheat can be converted into good flour more economically then is done at Junk Bay. I would drew your attention to my remark in the re- port of the Blue Book in 1905, pointing out the great necessity for new industries in the Colony to compensate for changing con- ditions as regards trade. From that point of view the establish- ment of these Mills is, as I then remarked, a matter of greet moment to the Colony. From another standpoint it is very obvious. that a large store of flour, and wheat within the line of our zefences might be of consider able importance in time of war with
Maritime Power.
"A new road is being made towards Customs Pass end it is probable that an extension of this road to the Mills at Junk Bay will be found necessary in the near future. The shores of this bay offer suitable sites for new industries, end this part of the Colony is likely to receive considerable development within the next few years."
Unfortunately, as we shall see in the next article, these Ropes were doomed to disappointment.
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