JEWS (contd.)
594 27.
As I have pointed out, this scheme was delayed by the famous lawsuit, but was never abandoned. Generous assistance from leading Jews in the Colony was obtained and on Tuesday, May 7, 1901, the foundation stone of the present fine Synagogue in Robinson Road was laid by Mr. A. J. Raymond.
Among those present were Messrs. A. Howard, E. Kelly, E. Shellim, D. Haskell, R. Turnbull, S. Sassoon, S. A. Joseph, D. M. Moses, R. M. Ezekiel, J. Ezekiel, E. A. Hardoon, S. H. Michael, E. J. Moses, C. S. Gubbay, D. S. Gubbay, J. Fredericks, D. E. Ellis, A. S. Gubbay and Messrs. Leigh and Orange (architects).
In the course of a speech before laying the foundation stone, Mr. Raymond said that the Jewish Community was greatly indebted to the generosity of Mr. Jacob Sassoon who had defrayed the cost of the building, and to Messrs. Edward and Meyer Sassoon who had supplied the site.
Mr. Raymond informed the gathering that the Synagogue, when completed, would be dedicated to the Jewish Community of Hongkong, in memory of his beloved mother, Leah. He then laid the foundation stone with a silver trowel bearing the inscription: "Presented to A. J. Raymond, Esq., to commemorate the laying of the foundation stone of the New Synagogue, Hongkong, May 7th, 1901. Leigh and Orange, architects."
It was disclosed that the building, when completed, would be 80 feet by 40 feet and would cost $26,000. It was proposed during the ceremony that a school for Hebrew be erected on the vacant ground adjoining the Synagogue.
*******
TAIKOO
One of Hongkong's proudest possessions to-day is the Taikoo Docks. Here is an enterprise that does not go back even to the last century. Taikoo belongs almost to our own day and many a resident in Hongkong to-day will remember when work was commenced in 1900.
Looking through the records of 1901 the other day I came across a reference to the early construction work. The contractor, Mr. Tsan A. Keng invited a small party to the site to witness blasting operations. Those conversant with the topography of the island can easily imagine what Taikoo looked like before work on the new docks was started. Hills, rising to 500 feet, ran right down to the water level. The removal of these and the actual construction work was completed under the supervision of Messrs. Danby and MacDonald, who were brought out from Home specially for the work.
The hills were composed mostly of fractured granite with huge boulders embedded in red clay loam. Many difficulties were experienced in the blasting work. On the afternoon when the work was inspected, 2,000 tons of mullock were shifted by 40 shots of dynamite. Mr. W. B. Waters was in charge of the blasting party, and the Press at the time found cause to congratulate him on the fact that not a single life had been lost in the dangerous work.
Over 2,000 men were employed on the preliminary works and it was estimated at the time that more than two years would elapse before the docks could accommodate ships.
At a later date the complete history of the Taikoo docks will be printed, and the rapid strides made by the Company will then be described in detail.
**
****
HOW KAI TACK CAME TO BE MADE
(A bold enterprise that has made good)
We hear the name Kai Tack everyday, and most of us have been to the place, either to the Aerodrome or to the residential quarter, but how many of us know the origin of the name. It has quite a romance behind it and for the benefit of those who do not know it, I will give a resume below.
Over ten years ago, I am not sure about the exact date, but I have it on good authority that it was nearly 15 years ago a body of prominent Chinese business-men conceived the idea of filling in Kowloon Bay and for that purpose they formed a company under the name and style of the Kai Tack Land Investment Co., Ltd.
i
JEWS (contd.)
594 27.
As I have pointed out, this scheme was delayed by the famous lawsuit, but
Generous assistance from leading Jews in the Colony was was never abandoned. obtained and on Tuesday, May 7, 1901, the foundation stone of the present fine Synagogue in Robinson Road was laid by Mr. A. J. Raymond.
Among those present were Messrs. A. Howard, E. Kelly, E. Shellim, D. Haskell, R. Turnbull, S. Sassoon, S. A. Joseph, D. M. Moses, R. M. Ezekiel, J. Ezekiel, E. A. Hardoon, S. H. Michael, E. J. Moses, C. S. Gubbay, D. S. Gubbay, J. Fred- ericks, D. E. Ellis, A. S. Gubbay and Messrs. Leigh and Orange (architects).
In the course of a speech before laying the foundation stone, Mr. Raymond said that the Jewish Community was greatly indebted to the generosity of Mr. Jacob Sassoon who had defrayed the cost of the building, and to Messrs. Edward and Meyer Sassoon who had supplied the site.
Mr. Raymond informed the gathering that the Synagogue, when completed, would be dedicated to the Jewish Community of Hongkong, in memory of his beloved mother, Leah. He then laid the foundation stone with a silver trowel bearing the inscrip- tion: "Presented to A. J. Raymond, Esq., to commemorate the laying of the founda- tion stone of the New Synagogue, Hongkong, May 7th, 1901. Leigh and Orange,
architects."
It was disclosed that the building, when completed, would be 80 feet by 40 feet and would cost $26,000. It was proposed during the ceremony that a school. for Hebrew be erected on the vacant ground adjoining the Synagogue.
*******
TAIKOO
One of Hongkong's proudest posessions to-day is the Taikoo Docks. Here is an enterprise that does not go back even to the last century. Taikoo belongs almost to our own day and many a resident in Hongkong to-day will remember when work was commenced in 1900.
Looking through the records of 1901 the other day I came across a reference to the early construction work. The contractor, Mr. Tsan A. Keng invited a small party to the site to witness blasting operations. Those conversant with the topography of the island can easily imagine what Taikoo looked like before work on the new docks was started. Hills, rising to 500 feet, ran right down to the water level. The removal of these and the actual construction work was completed under the supervision of Messrs. Danby and MacDonald, who were brought out from Home specially for the work.
The hills were
Many difficulties were experienced in the blasting work. composed mostly of fractured granite with huge boulders embedded in red clay loam. On the afternoon when the work was inspected, 2,000 tons of mullock were shifted by 40 shots of dynamite. Mr. W. B. Waters was in charge of the blasting party, and the Press at the time found cause to congratulate him on the fact that not a single life had been lost in the dangerous work.
Over 2,000 men were employed on the preliminary works and it was estimated at the time that more than two years would elapse before the docks could accom- modate ships.
At a later date the complete history of the Taikoo docks will be printed, and the rapid strides made by the Company will then be described in detail.
**
****
HOW KAI TACK CAME TO BE MADE
(A bold enterprise that has made good)
We hear the name Kai Tack everyday, and most of us have been to the place, either to the Aerodrome or to the residential quarter, but how many of us know the origin of the name. It has quite a romance behind it and for the benefit of those who do not know it, I will give a resume below.
Over ten years ago
I am not sure about the exact date, but I have it on good authority that it was nearly 15 years ago a body of prominent Chinese business-men conceived the idea of filling in Kowloon Bay and for that purpose they formed a company under the name and style of the Kai Tack Land Investment Co., Ltd.
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