named because of the storehouse in which blocks of ice, imported from North America, were kept (see 6-9-33). The low building running at right angles to the waterfront was most probably the first ice-house: the premises still standing at the bottom of Battery Path apparently came later into use.
Battery Path as we know it to-day was then non-existent, but the battery was already, of course, in position (see 30-6-33). We can readily understand the choice of this rocky projection, ideal for the gun-mounting, traces of which remain to-day. As this picture shows, a portion of the steep bluff has since been cut away to enable the pathway to be constructed. The roof and upper portion can be seen of the first building, to be erected where the National City Bank now stands, while on the other side, where we now have Duddell Street, the artist has drawn a house in course of erection, still covered by scaffolding. Behind that, just east of Wyndham Street, is a clear view of Pedder's Hill, with the original Harbour Office on top; and the original Hongkong Club building is discernible immediately beyond, on the Queen's Road corner. The prison and old magistracy are to be noticed in the background to the extreme left, on the higher ground, almost exactly on the same site as they are to-day.
The whole view is one of newness; there is that atmosphere of a recently-founded settlement; and there could be no more vivid idea given of the growth of the city since those early years.
398
A note on Murray Battery might be added. There is still part of an old gun-pit next to the small building used by the Boy Scouts, while a dismantled gun has lain for some years near the Government Offices extension. The Hongkong Telegraph of February 16, 1882, notes: "We observe considerable alterations going on at the Murray Battery commanding the Queen's Road. The old 'smooth bores' are being replaced by Armstrong rifled cannon, and the embrasures altered so as to command the most populous streets of the City."
The area was subsequently acquired by the Government; one of the instances of military land reverting to the civil authorities. Its use as a battery was long ago discounted by improvements in defensive armament and the general expansion of the Colony.
The third of the series of old views of Hongkong, drawn in the early years by Mr. Bruce, is reproduced to-day. It gives a view of Jardine, Matheson's from Causeway Bay, in 1846, and shows how part of that area has since been altered. Yet the actual spit of land at East Point used by Jardines is practically unchanged. In the distance, we can discern, at sea-level, the old godowns (erected in 1843) and bungalow, still standing (see 2-8-33). To the left are the old buildings erected at the same time for the use of the heads of the firm, and now included in the Lee Gardens property. It is interesting to observe the large, full-rigged sailing ship alongside Jardines' wharf, where no doubt she was unloading or taking on some rich cargo.
9.
named because of the storehouse in which blocks of ice, imported from North America, were kept (see 6-9-33). The low building mining at right angles to the water- front was most probably the first ice-house: the premises still standing at the bottom of Battery Path apparently cane later into use.
Battery Path as we know it to-day was then non- existent, but the battery was already, of course, in position (see 30-6-33). We can readily understand the choice of this rocky projection, ideal for the gun-mounting, traces of which remain to-day. As this picture shows, a portion of the steep bluff has since been cut away to enable the pathway to be constructed. The roof and upper portion can be seen of the first building, to be erected where the National City Bank now stands, while on the other side, where we now have Duddell Street, the artist has drawn a house in course of erection, still covered by scaffolding. Be- hind that, just east of Wyndham Street, is a clear view of Pedder's Hill, with the original Harbour Office on top; and the original Hongkong Club building is discernible . immediately beyond, on the Queen's Road corner. The prison and old magistracy are to be noticed in the back- ground to the extreme left, on the higher ground, almost exactly on the same site as they are to-day.
The whole view is one of newness there is that atmosphere of a recently-founded settlement; and there could be no more vivid idea given of the growth of the city since those early years.
398
A note on Murray Battery might be added. There is still part of an old gun-pit next to the small building used by the Boy Scouts, while a dismantled gun has lain for some years near the Government Offices extension. The Hongkong Telegraph of February 16, 1882, notes. "We observe considerable alterations going on at the Murray Battery commanding the Queen's Road. The old "smooth bores" are being replaced by Armstrong rifled cannon, and the embrasures altered so as to command the most populous streets of the City."
The area was subsequently acquired by the Govern- ment one of the instances of military land reverting to the civil authorities. Its use as a battery was long ago discounted by improvements in defensive armament and the general expansion of the Colony.
The third of the series of old views of Hongkong, drawn in the early years by Mr. Bruce, is reproduced to-day. It gives a view of Jardine, Matheson's from Causeway Bay, in 1846, and shows how part of that area has since been altered. Yet the actual spit of land at East Point used by Jardines is practically unchanged. In the distance we can discern, at sealevel, the old godowns (erected in 1843) and bungalow, still standing (see 2-8-33). To the left are the old buildings erected at the same time for the use of the heads of the *firm, and now included in the Lee Gardens property. It is interesting to observe the large, full-rigged sailing ship alongside Jardines wharf, where no doult she was uploading For taking on some rich cargo.
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