DEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON-1(cont.)
progress marked its expansion and development. To-day it may be called the Mecca of eastern commerce. And, as unkind Fate wills that further expansion cannot be possible, on any extensive scale, it was well for British interests that the new territory on the other side of the harbour should be looked at as the one wide domain which called for development.
"As we have stated again and again, and we do not pose as prophets, the future of Kowloon is assured. What manner of man is he who journeys to and fro on the ferry boats, watches the hustle and bustle of commerce (which is but in its infancy), sees signs of enterprise and progress, and learns the opinions of perspicacious speculators and residents, but who is convinced that the Kowloon side of the harbour is to know a measure of development and prosperity not thought of by our predecessors in their wildest dreams. At present, there is, as a Britisher would champion not because he is an unsociable being, but that the line of demarcation between the Celestial and the European might be drawn a British reservation. It is on the sides if not on the brows of majestic hills, not sought after to-day. The Britisher is content with the undeveloped plain. But, we are not too sanguine when we aver that many years will not pass by ere Kowloon has an efficient electrical tramway system." Actually, the advent of motor engines led to the use of converted lorries as omnibuses, and then to the more modern bus service of the present day.
"Building operations on an extensive scale are being carried on with tireless energy. Roads are being cut out, and bright and attractive little villas suitable for the man of limited means rear their heads. The whole face of the land is being changed. Where prickly thorns were wont to assert their wide domain, now stately palms and lovely ferns meet one's gaze. On every side there is development, progress, and the civilising influences so characteristic of a European community.
"Contrast the general scheme of laying out Kowloon with that which must have obtained in the old days when Hongkong as we see it to-day was planned. Verily, as an expert confessed yesterday to us, 'Our forefathers were shortsighted; they had no idea what the place would develop into.' Its narrow streets, and its 'fragrant' alleys, make it by no means a city ever to compare with that which is to rise on the other side of the harbour.
"To-day, what do we see? A comprehensive scheme (in Kowloon) for enveloping a very large area with 100 feet roadways. Such highways will be a lasting testimonial to the governing body and the officials of to-day."
DEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON 2
The article yesterday referred to various plans for the development of Kowloon, which had been set on foot just over thirty years ago. A portion of a special write-up in the S.C.M. Post was quoted which showed how observers were already prophesying a great deal of the progress which we observe to-day. One of the features of that earlier development was the making of new roadways, and the extension of the existing ones; also the changes which were taking place at Tsimtsatsui, where a new ferry pier was mooted, and a portion of what we now know as Haiphong Road was closed to traffic in connection with wharf developments.
I give to-day the remaining portion of the special comment appearing in the S.C.M. Post on December 23, 1904:
"Early in the spring we shall see all vehicular and pedestrian traffic along the wharf suspended. To-day he who patronises the rickshaw men is very soon brought to recognise the ever-present danger of being thrown out, and the conviction rises that for the man out East insurance policies are certainly desirable. But this fear may in the immediate future be minimised, if not dispelled, for there will be no need of a jolting ride in a rickshaw along the wharf and over the rugged part of lower Elgin Road. A new pier for the ferry boats is to be erected shortly - commodious, and more in keeping, we trust, than that which is honoured with the name of 'pier' to-day. The ferry company might erect a structure in harmony with the scheme now in course of evolution.
DEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON-1(cont.)
вод அ.
progress marked its expansion and development. To-day it may be called the Mecca of eastern commerce. And, as unkind Fate wills that further expansion cannot be possible, on any extensive scale, it was well for British interests that the new territory on the other side of the harbour should be looked at as the one wide domain which called for development.
"As we have stated again and again, and we do not pose as prophets, the future of Kowloon is assured. What manner of man is he who journeys to and fro on the ferry boats, watches the hustle and bustle of commerce (which is but in its infancy), sees signs of enterprise and progress, and learns the opinions of perspicacious speculators and residents, but who is convinced that the Kowloon side of the harbour is to know a measure of development and prosperity not thought of by our predecessors in their wildest dreams. At present, there is, as a Britisher would champion not because he is an unsociable being, but that the line of demarcation between the Celestial and the European might be drawn
a British reser- vation. It is on the sides if not on the brows of majestic hills. not sought after to-day. The Britisher is content with the undeveloped plain. But, we are not too sanguine when we aver that many years will not pass by ere Kowloon has an efficient electrical tranway system "Actually, the advent of motor engines led to the use of converted lor ries as omnibuses, and then to the more modern bus service of the present day).
T
Spe
It is
. . . . #
"Building operations on an extensive scale are being carried on with tireless energy. Roads are being cut out, and bright and attractive little villas suitable for the man of limited means rear their heads. The whole face of the land is being changed. Where prickly thorns" were wont to assert "their wide, domain" now stately palms and lovely ferns meet one's gaze. On every side there is development, progress, and the civilising influences so characteristic of a European community.
"Contrast the general scheme of laying out Kowloon with that which must have obtained in the old days when Hongkong as we see it to-day was planned. Verily, as an expert confessed yesterday to us, "Our forefathers were shortsighted; they had no idea what the place would develop into." Its narrow streets, and its "fragrant" alleys, make it by no means a city ever to compare with that which is to rise on the other side of the harbour.
"To-day, what do we see? A comprehensive scheme (in Kowloon) for envelop- ing a very large area with 100 feet roadways. Such highways will be a last- ing testimonial to the governing body and the officials of to-day."
DEVELOPMENT OF KOWLOON 2
A por-
The article yesterday referred to various plans for the development; of Kowloon, which had been set on foot just over thirty years ago. tion of a special write-up in the 5.0.M. Post was quoted which showed how observers were already prophesying a great deal of the progress which we observe to-day. One of the features of that earlier development was the making of new roadways, and the extension of the existing ones: also the changes which were taking place at Tsimtsatsui, where a new ferry pier was mooted, and a portion of what we now know as Haiphone Road was closed to traffic in connection with wharf. developments.
I give to-day the remaining portion of the special comment appearing in the S.C.M. Post on December 23, 1904:
"Early in the spring we shall see all vehicular and pedestrian traffic along the wharf suspended. To-day he who patronises the rickshaw men is very soon brought to recognise the ever-present danger of being thrown out, and the conviction rises that for the man out East insurance policies are certainly desirable. But this fear may in the immediate future be minimi- sed, if not dispelled, for there will be no need of a jolting ride in a rickshaw along the wharf and over the rugged part of lower Elgin Road. A new pier for the ferry boats is to be erected shortly - commodious,
and more in keeping, we trust, than that which is honoured with the name of "pier" to-day. The ferry company might erect a structure in harmony with the scheme now in course of evolution.
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