TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES
In considering the amenities of life in Hongkong provided by modern ice factories and dairy farms, we must also pay attention to the essential means of communication which were entirely lacking in the early days of the Colony. We know, of course, that sailing ships were the chief means of carrying both merchandise and mails, and the early steamers, which were in operation a few years after the founding of Hongkong, were not very much quicker, when we consider their limited engine-power and the long route round the Cape. The telegraph was entirely absent, and the telephone which we expect to find in every home to-day, was a new invention not even tried out in the East. Radio, of course, had not yet been dreamed of.
The early application of electrical communication to the Colony, however, shows the enterprise of those pioneering merchants, who dwelt here when Hongkong was developing into the important mart it is to-day. In the early Sixties, we find, telegraphic communication had already been introduced, though at first it was entirely a local service. It gave the Colony the distinction, however, of having the first electric telegraph service in any part of China or the China Coast.
The first telegraph built in China was created by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. in 1863, from their main office at East Point to their branch office in Hongkong, a distance of about two miles.
....
The second was built through the enterprise of Mr. B.A. Reynolds. It extended from Woosung, opposite Shanghai, to the beacon at the mouth of the Yangtsze, and was intended to telegraph the arrival of vessels.
The third was built by an American firm, Messrs. Russel and Co., and extended from their main office on the Bund in Shanghai, to Kin-bee-Yuen, their wharves and godowns, a distance of about half a mile.
In 1869, a Police telegraph was erected in Hongkong.
However, cable services between Hongkong and other ports were not started until 1871. The first, providing direct communication with Shanghai, was started on May 26 in that year; the next, with New York and London on June 8; and that between Hongkong, Saigon and Singapore on August 1.
Telegraphic cable connexion was extended to Manila in May, 1880, and to Canton two years later, March 1882.
The Eastern Extension and Great Northern Companies were Colony's pioneers in this direction.
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Page 186
TELEGRAPHS AND TELEPHONES
In considering the amenities of life in Hongkong provided by modern ice factories and dairy farms, we must also pay attention to the essential means of communication which were entirely lacking in the early days of the Colony. We know, of course, that selling ships were the chief means of carrying both merchandise and mails, and the early steamers, which were in operation a few years after the founding of Hongkong, were not very much quicker, when we consider the ir limited engine-power and the long route round the Cape. The telegraph was entirely absent, and the telephone which we expect to find in every home to-day, was a now invention not even tried out in the East. Radio, of course, had not yet been dreamed of.
The early application of electricel communication to the Colony, however, shows the enterprise of those pioneering merchants, who dwelt here when Hongkong was developing into the important mart it is to-day. In the early Sixties, we find, telegraphio communication had already been introduced, though at first it was entirely a local service. It gave the Colony the distinction, how- ever, of having the first electric telegraph service in any part of China or the China Coast.
The first telegraph built in Chine was created by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. in 1863, from their main office at Bast Point to their branch office in Hongkong, a distance of about two miles.
....
The second was built through the enterprise of Mr. B.A. Reynolds. It extended from Rootung, opposite Shanghai, to the beaco: at the mouth of the Yangtsze, and was intended to telegraph the arrival of vessels.
The third was built by an American firm, Messrs. Russel and Co., end extended from their main office on the Bund in Shanghai, to Kin-bee-Yuen, their wharves and godowns, a distance of about half a zile.
In 1869, a Police telegraph was erected in Hongkong.
However, cable services between Hongkong and other ports were not started until 1871. The first, providing direct communioetion with Shanghai, was started on May 26 in that year; the next, with New York and London on June 8; and that between Hongkong, Saigon and Singapore on August 1..
Telegraphic cable connexion was extended to Manila in May, 1880, and to Canton two years later, March 1882.
The Eastern Extension and Great Northern Companies were Colony's pioneers in this direction.
Page 185Page 186
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