Old Hong Kong-2 — Page 287

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

Y. M. C. A.

The European T.M.C.A. in Hongkong celebrates its thirtieth birthday to-day, 1st May, 1934. In view of this anniversary, I propose to give in brief the history of the institution, together with a short account of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. and its activities over a slightly longer period of years.

By virtue of its seniority, I will take the Chinese Y.M.C.A. first.

1128

In the closing years of the last century, leading figures in the local Chinese community began an agitation for the opening of a branch of the Y.M.C.A. in Hongkong. Meetings were held, and eventually an invitation to open a branch here was sent to the English National Council of the Y.M.C.A. A reply was received from this body, stating that the English Council was not in a position to assist, but recommended that the International Committee of North America be approached, as that body was beginning work in China about that time.

Accordingly, a request was sent to the International Committee, and the upshot was that in 1899, the Rev. W. J. Southam of Wickliffe College, Toronto, came to Hongkong to organise a branch of the Y.M.C.A. He spent some time studying Cantonese and doing preliminary organisation work. Then, in December 1901, rooms for the Chinese Y.M.C.A. were opened in Des Voeux Road, on the spot where On Lok Yuen's restaurant now stands. When these premises were found inadequate, the organisation took rooms immediately across the street, and, still later, moved to 34, Queen's Road Central, where the King's Theatre is now situated.

The Chinese Y.M.C.A. has always had the interests of students at heart, and has done everything in its power to offer them some of the amenities of home life.

About 1910, a decision was taken to erect a hostel in Bridges Street and on March 9, 1912, the foundation stone was laid by the Governor, Lord Lugard (then Sir Frederick Lugard). The large gathering which attended the ceremony included: the Right Rev. Bishop Banister, Rev. C. H. Hickling, Rev. T. Pearce, Rev. R. Steward, Mr. A. Bryer (the architect), Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. Lerrigo, Mr. F. G. White (secretary of the European Y.M.C.A.), Mr. Mohler (of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.), Mr. E. Ralphs, Mr. A. H. Harris (Commissioner of Customs), Mr. T. M. Elliot (acting secretary of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.). General Secretary (Mr. McPherson), was on leave at the time.

It was stated after the ceremony that a traveller, Mr. E. Bibby, was one of the first to take an interest in the project, through the offices of the Rev. C. H. Hickling.

The first gift of £1,000 came from the Venerable Archdeacon of New Zealand and was used to purchase the land from the Government. The Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird and Lord Overton each gave £1,000. Mr. Stevens contributed $5,000 and Mr. Leonard $1,000, Both these gentlemen were Americans.

Mr. A. Bryer was the architect and Mr. Lam Woo the contractor.

The building was occupied on March 1, 1913.

Not long after, the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. were found to be inadequate, and plans were prepared for a new building which was opened on October 10, 1918, opposite the students' hostel in Bridges Street. The erection of this new building was made possible by the philanthropy of two Americans, Mrs. W. E. Blackstone and Mr. C. K. McCormack, both of Chicago, who donated $75,000. The directors of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. raised the $50,000 necessary for the purchase of the site.

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Y. M. C. A. The European T.M.C.A. in Hongkong celebrates its thirtieth birthday to-day, 1st May, 1934. In view of this anniversary, I propose to give in brief the history of the institution, together with a short account of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. and its activities over a slightly longer period of years. By virtue of its seniority, I will take the Chinese Y.M.C.A. first. 1128 In the closing years of the last century, leading figures in the local Chinese community began an agitation for the opening of a branch of the Y.M.C.A. in Hongkong. Meetings were held, and eventually an invitation to open a branch here was sent to the English National Council of the Y.M.C.A. A reply was received from this body, stating that the English Council was not in a position to assist, but recommended that the International Committee of North America be approached, as that body was beginning work in China about that time. Accordingly, a request was sent to the International Committee, and the upshot was that in 1899, the Rev. W. J. Southam of Wickliffe College, Toronto, came to Hongkong to organise a branch of the Y.M.C.A. He spent some time studying Cantonese and doing preliminary organisation work. Then, in December 1901, rooms for the Chinese Y.M.C.A. were opened in Des Voeux Road, on the spot where On Lok Yuen's restaurant now stands. When these premises were found inadequate, the organisation took rooms immediately across the street, and, still later, moved to 34, Queen's Road Central, where the King's Theatre is now situated. The Chinese Y.M.C.A. has always had the interests of students at heart, and has done everything in its power to offer them some of the amenities of home life. About 1910, a decision was taken to erect a hostel in Bridges Street and on March 9, 1912, the foundation stone was laid by the Governor, Lord Lugard (then Sir Frederick Lugard). The large gathering which attended the ceremony included: the Right Rev. Bishop Banister, Rev. C. H. Hickling, Rev. T. Pearce, Rev. R. Steward, Mr. A. Bryer (the architect), Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. Lerrigo, Mr. F. G. White (secretary of the European Y.M.C.A.), Mr. Mohler (of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.), Mr. E. Ralphs, Mr. A. H. Harris (Commissioner of Customs), Mr. T. M. Elliot (acting secretary of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.). General Secretary (Mr. McPherson), was on leave at the time. It was stated after the ceremony that a traveller, Mr. E. Bibby, was one of the first to take an interest in the project, through the offices of the Rev. C. H. Hickling. The first gift of £1,000 came from the Venerable Archdeacon of New Zealand and was used to purchase the land from the Government. The Right Hon. Lord Kinnaird and Lord Overton each gave £1,000. Mr. Stevens contributed $5,000 and Mr. Leonard $1,000, Both these gentlemen were Americans. Mr. A. Bryer was the architect and Mr. Lam Woo the contractor. The building was occupied on March 1, 1913. Not long after, the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. were found to be inadequate, and plans were prepared for a new building which was opened on October 10, 1918, opposite the students' hostel in Bridges Street. The erection of this new building was made possible by the philanthropy of two Americans, Mrs. W. E. Blackstone and Mr. C. K. McCormack, both of Chicago, who donated $75,000. The directors of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. raised the $50,000 necessary for the purchase of the site.

Baseline (Original)

Y. M. C. A. The European T.M.C.A. in Hongkong celebrates its thirtieth birthday to-day, 1st May, 1934. In view of this anniversary, I propose to give in brief the history of the institution, together with a short account of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. and its activities over a slightly longer period of years. By virtue of its seniority, I will take the Chinese Y.M.C.A.first. 1128 In the closing years of the last century, leading figures in the local Chinese community began an agitation for the opening of a branch of the Y.M.C.A. in Hongkong. Meetings were held, and eventually an invitation to open a branch here was sent to the English National Council of the Y.M.G.A. A reply was received from this body, stating that the English Council was not in a position to assist, but recommended that the International Committee of North America be approached, as that body was beginning work in China about that time. Accordingly, a request was sent to the International Committee, and the upshot was that in 1899, the Rev.W.J. Southam of Wickliffe College; Toronto, came to Hongkong to organise a branch of the Y.M.C.A. He spent some time studying Cantonese and doing preliminary organisation work. Then, in December 1901, rooms for the Chinese Y.M.C.A. were opened in Des Voeux Road, on the spot where On Lok Yuen's restaurant now stands. When these premises were found inadequate, the organisation took rooms immediately across the street, and, still later, moved to 34, Queen's Road Central, where the King's Theatre is now situated. The Chinese I.M.C.A. hay always had the interests of students at heart, and has done everything in its power to offer them some of the amenities of home life, About 1910, decision was taken to erect a hostel in Bridges Street sad on March 9, 1912, the foun lation stone was laid by the Governor, Lord Lugard (then Sir Frederick Lugard). The large gathering whichattended the ceremony included: the Right Rev.Bishop Banister, Rey.C.H.Hickling, kev. T. Pearce, Rev.R.Steward, Mr.A. Bryer (the architect), Hon.Dr.Ho Kai, Mr. Lerrigo, Mr.F.G. White (secretary of the European Y.M.C.A.), Mr. Mohler (of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.), Mr.E. Ralphs, Mr.A.H. Harris (Commissioner of Customs), Mr.T.M. Elliot (acting secretary of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.). General Secretary (Mr. McPherson), was on leave at the time. The It was stated after the ceremony that a traveller, Mr.E. Bibby, was one of the first to take an interest in the project, through the offices of the Rev.C.H. Hickling. * The first gift of £1,000 came from the Venerable Archdeacon of New Zealand and was used to purchase the land from the Government. The Right Hon.Lord Kinnaird and Lord Överton each gave £1,000. Mr.Stevens contributed G$5,000 and Mr. Leonard G$1,000, Both these gentlemen were Americans. Mr. A. Bryer was the architect and Mr. Lam Woo the contractor. The building was occupied on March 1, 1913. Not long after, the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. were found to be inadequate, and plans were prepared for a new building which was opened on October 10, 1918, opposite the students! hostel in Bridge's Street. The erection of this new building was made possible by the philanthropy of two Americans, Mrs. W.E. Blackstone and Mr.C.K. McCormack, both of Chicago, who donated 0$75,000. The directors of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. raised the $50,000 necessary for the purchase of the site.

2026-05-02 11:26:01 · Baseline

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Y. M. C. A.

By virtue of its seniority, I will take the Chinese Y.M.C.A.first.

1128

In the closing years of the last century, leading figures in the local Chinese community began an agitation for the opening of a branch of

the Y.M.C.A. in Hongkong. Meetings were held, and eventually an invitation to open a branch here was sent to the English National Council of the Y.M.G.A. A reply was received from this body, stating that the English Council was not in a position to assist, but recommended that the International Committee of North America be approached, as that body was beginning work in China about that time.

Accordingly, a request was sent to the International Committee, and the upshot was that in 1899, the Rev.W.J. Southam of Wickliffe College; Toronto, came to Hongkong to organise a branch of the Y.M.C.A. He spent some time studying Cantonese and doing preliminary organisation work. Then, in December 1901, rooms for the Chinese Y.M.C.A. were opened in Des Voeux Road, on the spot where On Lok Yuen's restaurant now stands. When these premises were found inadequate, the organisation took rooms immediately across the street, and, still later, moved to 34, Queen's Road Central, where the King's Theatre is now situated.

The Chinese I.M.C.A. hay always had the interests of students at heart, and has done everything in its power to offer them some of the amenities of home life,

About 1910, decision was taken to erect a hostel in Bridges Street sad on March 9, 1912, the foun lation stone was laid by the Governor, Lord Lugard (then Sir Frederick Lugard). The large gathering whichattended the ceremony included: the Right Rev.Bishop Banister, Rey.C.H.Hickling, kev. T. Pearce, Rev.R.Steward, Mr.A. Bryer (the architect), Hon.Dr.Ho Kai, Mr. Lerrigo, Mr.F.G. White (secretary of the European Y.M.C.A.), Mr. Mohler (of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.), Mr.E. Ralphs, Mr.A.H. Harris (Commissioner of Customs), Mr.T.M. Elliot (acting secretary of the Chinese Y.M.C.A.). General Secretary (Mr. McPherson), was on leave at the time.

The

It was stated after the ceremony that a traveller, Mr.E. Bibby, was one of the first to take an interest in the project, through the offices of the Rev.C.H. Hickling.

The first gift of £1,000 came from the Venerable Archdeacon of New Zealand and was used to purchase the land from the Government. The Right Hon.Lord Kinnaird and Lord Överton each gave £1,000. Mr.Stevens contributed G$5,000 and Mr. Leonard G$1,000, Both these gentlemen were Americans.

Mr. A. Bryer was the architect and Mr. Lam Woo the contractor.

The building was occupied on March 1, 1913.

Not long after, the rooms of the Y.M.C.A. were found to be inadequate, and plans were prepared for a new building which was opened on October 10, 1918, opposite the students! hostel in Bridge's Street. The erection of this new building was made possible by the philanthropy of two Americans, Mrs. W.E. Blackstone and Mr.C.K. McCormack, both of Chicago, who donated 0$75,000. The directors of the Chinese Y.M.C.A. raised the $50,000 necessary for the purchase of the site.

Old Hong Kong-2 — Page 287

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