A.S. WATSON & CO.
In the course of reading up records on old associations one comes across a number of names of firms which did business here in the earliest years of Hongkong's history. Some of these long-established companies have already been referred to, and others will be dealt with from time to time. One of the firms that can trace its foundation to the first year of the Colony is A.S. Watson and Company. The records regarding this concern are not quite complete, and I have not been able to trace the name of the man who actually founded the firm, nothing being known about him except that he was a naval surgeon. If any reader can supply the required information I shall be grateful. Watson's commenced as the Hongkong Dispensary, a name still retained for the dispensing department. Its first location was in a humble matshed, as was the case with many other old-established Hongkong firms. Now it is one of the leading concerns in the Colony.
An excellent condensed history of Watson's, so far as can at present be traced, was given in the chairman's speech at the annual meeting of the company in 1916, and I cannot do better than quote therefrom.
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The business was started in 1841 by a naval surgeon, a matshed at Possession Point, under the name of the Hongkong Dispensary. Then, as its name implied, it was solely a dispensary, and was concerned almost entirely with supplying the medical necessities of the soldiers and sailors stationed out here. Two or three years later, the location was removed to permanent quarters at 16, Queen's Road Central. The earliest letter the firm possesses is dated November 30, 1845, and is signed by Dr. J.H. Young. In this letter, he advises the retention of the old name "Hongkong Dispensary".
Dr. Young left in 1850 and several others in turn carried on the business until the arrival of Mr. A.S. Watson in 1858, who gave the business the name by which it is now generally known.
On October 19, 1859, the business was burnt to the ground and temporary quarters were obtained elsewhere pending the rebuilding of the destroyed premises. The new building which was put up was occupied until 1904, when the firm removed to the newly built Alexandra Buildings.
The former premises were on the corner of D'Aguilar Street, where On Lok Yuen's soda fountain is now located.
In 1866, Mr. Bell was the owner of the business, and in that year he was joined by Mr. J.D. Humphreys. The latter in 1874 became sole proprietor. The business gradually ceased to be purely a local dispensary. An aerated water department, Chinese department and wine department were added, small at first, but gradually expanding to the big proportions they hold in the company's affairs to-day. Branches were started at all the important treaty ports and in Manila.
These brought into life the Hongkong warehouse and laboratory, which, started at first solely for the purpose of keeping branches supplied, have developed a not inconsiderable wholesale and manufacturing business in Hongkong.
In 1885, the concern was converted into a limited liability Company. In 1891, the firm's Jubilee being coincident with that of the Colony, it was celebrated with illuminations on an extensive scale.
A.S. WATSON & CO.
In the course of reading up records on old associations one comes across a number of nemes of firms which did business here in the earliest years of Hongkong's history. Some of these long-established companies have already been referred to, and others will be dealt with from time to time. One of the firms that can trace its foundation to the first year of the Colony is A.S. Watson and Company. The records regarding this concern are not quite complete, and I have not been able to trace the name of the man who actually founded the firm, nothing being known about him except that he was a naval surgeon. If any reader can supply the required informa tion I shall be grateful watson's commenced as the Hongkong Dispensary, a name still retained for the dispensing department. Its first location was in a humble matshed, as was the case with many other old-established Hongkong firms. Now it is one of the leading concerns in the Colony.
An excellent condensed history of Watson's, so far as can at present be traced, was given in the chairman's speech at the annual meeting of the company in 1916, and I cannot do better then quote therefrom.
1094
·
in
The business was started in 1841 by a na vel surgeon, a mstshed at Possession Point, under the name of the Hongkong Dispensary. Then, as its neme implied, it was solely a dispensary, and was concerned almost entirely with supplying the medical necessities of the soldiers and sellors stationed out here. Two or three years later, the location was removed to permanent quarters at 16, queen's Road Central. The earliest letter the firm possesses is dated November 30, 1845, and is signed by Dr.J.H. Young. this letter, he advises the retention of the old name "Hongkong Dispensary".
In
Dr. Young left in 1850 and several others in turn carried on ́ the business until the arrival of Mr. A.9. Watson in 1858, who gave the business the name, it is now generelly known by.
On October 19, 1859, the business was burnt to the ground and temporary quarters were obtained elsewhere pending the re- building of the destroyed premises. The new building which was put up was occupied until 1904, when the firm removed to the newly built Alexandra Buildings.
The former premises were on the corner of D'Aguiler Street, where On Lok Yuen's soda fountain is now located.
In 1866, Mr. Bell was the owner of the business, and in that year he was joined by Mr.J.D. Humphreys. The latter in 1874 became sole proprietor. The business gradually ceased to be purely a local dispensary. An aerated weter department, Chinese department and wine department were added, small at first, but gradually expanding to the big proportions they hold in the company's affairs to-day. Branches were started at all the important treaty ports and in Manila.
These brought into life the Hongkong warehouse and laboratory, which, started at first solely for the purpose of keeping branches supplied, have developed a not inconsiderable wholesale and manufactur- ing business in Hongkong.
In 1885, the concern was converted into a limited liability Company. In 1891, the firm's Jubilee being coincident with thet of the Colony, it was celebrated with illuminations on an extensive scale.
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