397
To take Aberdeen Street, we know that it commemorates the Earl who was Foreign Secretary at the time, and after whom the village of Aberdeen (see 13-1-34) was also named. The erection of buildings here went on actively from the outset of the settlement of Hongkong. It is on record that by 1844 the original Anglo-Chinese College had been established in the London Mission premises, which were on the corner of Aberdeen and Staunton Streets. When the official division of the central city area into three districts - Sheungwan, Chungwan, and Hawan - was decided upon in July, 1844, the two intervening boundary lines were taken as Aberdeen Street, conveniently running down the slope almost at right angles to Queen's Road; Eliot's Vale (named after Captain Eliot, the first Administrator, and now called Glenealy ravine) also forming a convenient line down through Wyndham Street.
3
and
In the old picture reproduced here, it might be noted that the roadway to the right, the end of which is barely indicated in the sketch, is evidently Wellington Street. Looking at the locality to-day, we realise how conditions have changed, and feel the more grateful to the artist for having left us this vision of the less congested past.
Besides, the perusal of old newspaper records, one of the more prolific sources of information for a historian is an examination of old maps and plans. It is easy to visualise changes which have taken place when one compares a plan of Hongkong in 1841, for instance, with one drawn five years or so later, and then a series dating through the successive decades up to recent times. There is a certain fascination in thinking that where heavy motor traffic now runs there used to be a seabeach, and where Chinese tenements cover the less salubrious parts of the city, the taipans of the old had residences, and their ladies walked through well-kept garden paths. It is hoped to deal in more detail, subsequently, with this aspect of local history, but a preliminary summary of important changes, shown by comparison of the first sale plan of the Colony dated 1841 (the year of foundation) with the city area as we know it to-day, might be given here.
We have already referred to early military buildings. Barracks of a more or less makeshift nature are shown in 1841 at West Point and in the present area where Murray Barracks and the Naval Yard stand. This area has therefore been used by the Services in unbroken tenure. Several other points, however, are cleared up by inspection of these old plans and one or two legends disposed of.
There has been a persistent legend that the first Government House was situated at Spring Gardens, the eastern part of our present Wanchai. This is shown by the old sketch-plan to be a fallacy, probably based on the fact that several pretentious European houses were actually built in the early years at Spring Gardens, as Chief Justice occupied, on the hill adjoining. This will be dealt with in some detail in a later article.
1
The association with the Botanic Gardens may also account for the legend, as it is established that the first gubernatorial residence was situated a little higher up the slope than at the present day, in a portion of the present public Gardens.
16.
397
To take Aberdeen Street, we know that it commemorates the Earl who was Foreign Secretary at the time, and after whom the village of Aberdeen (see 13-1-34) was also named. The erection of buildings here went on actively from the outset of the settlement of Hongkong. It is on record that by 1844 the original Anglo-Chinese College had been established in the London Mission premises, which were on the corner of Aberdeen and Staunton Streets. When the official division of the central city area into three districts Sheungwan Chungwan and Hawan - was decided upon in July, 1844, the two intervening boundary lines were taken as Aberdeen Street, conveniently running down the slope almost at right angles to Queen's Road; Eliot's Vale (named after Captain Eliot, the first Administrator, and now caled Glenealy ravine) also forming a convenient line down through Wyndham Street.
3
and
In the old picture reproduced here, it might be noted that the roadway to the right, the end of which is barely indicated in the sketch, is evidently Wellington Street. Looking at the locality to-day, we relise how conditions have changed, and feel the more grateful to the artist for having left us this vision of the less congested past.
Besides, the perusal of old newspaper records, one of the more prolific sources of information for a historian is an examination of old maps and plans. It is easy to visualise changes which have taken place when one compares a plan of Hongkong in 1841, for instance, with one drawn five years or so later, and then a series dating through the successive decades up to recent times. There is a certain fascination in thinking that where heavy motor traffic now runs there used. to be a seabeach, and whère Chinese tenements cover the less salubrious parts of the city, the talpans of the old had residences, and their ladies walked through well-kept garden paths. It is hoped, to deal in more detail, subsequently, with this aspect of local history, but a preliminary summary of important changes, shown by comparison of the first sale plan of the Colony dated 1841, (the year of doundation) with the city area as we know it to-day, might be given here.
We have already referred to early military buildings. Barracks of a more or less makeshift nature are shown in 1841 at West Point and in the present area where Murray Barracks and the llaval Yard stand. This area has therefore been used by the Services in unbroken tenure. Several other points, however, are cleared up by inspection of these old plans and one or two legends disposed of.
There has been a persistent legent that the first Government House was situated at Spring Gardens, the eastern part of our present Wanchai. This is shown by the old sketch- plan to be a fallacy, probably based on the fact that several pretentious European houses were actually built in the early years at Spring Gardens, as Chief Justice occupied, on the hill adjoining · This will be dealt with in some detail in
a later article.
1
The association with the Botanic Gardens may also account for the legend, as it is established that the first gubernatorial residence was situated a little higher up the slope than at the present day, in a portion of the present public Gardens.
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