Another section is published to-day of the old map of Hongkong drawn in the late Sixties or early Seventies, and first published about 1873. This section shows the Bowrington and Sookunpoo districts, with the whole of East Point, and there are several features of a most interesting nature.
Bowrington (or Bowring's Town) was so named after Sir John Bowring, who was Governor of Hongkong from 1854 to 1859. It is worth noting how the name of Causeway Bay arose; there is an old causeway marked in the map, which appears to have been absorbed into the road along the waterfront.
The fact that Hongkong's first public gardens were situated at Happy Valley is also indicated here. They occupied a site where the Craigengower, Police and Civil Service Clubs are now accommodated. The idea originated with Rev. Dr. Charles Gutzlaff (who was Chinese Secretary to the Government) in 1848, and a committee was appointed by the Government to select a site. Happy Valley, then the principal place of residence, was the natural selection. In 1860-61 the present Botanic Gardens were commenced, and the older place gradually went out of favour, becoming a mere recreation ground.
East Point Hill, on which the residence of Jardine's taipan stood, in use for many years, is now known as Lee Gardens (see 4-8-33); and the place marked as "J.M.Co's office" in this old map is now a combined godown and residence; in town in 1864, and the old place being converted later into a junior mess for employees of the firm.
It is also interesting to note the No. 1 Police Station, still in use to-day (see 3-10-33). Behind that is shown Leighton's Hill (now known as Leighton Hill). The only reference I can find to the name is in an old chronicle which refers to Messrs. F. Leighton and Company purchasing some land on the Central waterfront in June 1841, being thus early pioneers of Hongkong. There is no further local reference to the firm by 1847, and it seems to have gone out of existence here after a few years.
Some of the Colony's earlier enterprises are also shown. The former Royal Mint Street marks the location of the mint (see 13-7-33), which existed for a while; and the ice manufactory (see 6-9-33), sugar refinery, and distillery, mark other old industries. The distillery is worthy of research, and perhaps some reader will be able to help here. All I can discover is that the proprietor was a Mr. John Jack, (who died in the Colony in 1878) while the distillery itself had to go into liquidation in August, 1873. A record of 1860 gives Mr. John Jack as being a carpenter and shipwright at Capt. J. Lamont's shipping slipway at East Point; so we may assume that he founded the distillery some time in the Sixties. But what did he distill? If there ever was a Hongkong whiskey it deserves some record.
Various names of places and streets in this map are easily explained. We have Morrison Hill, after the Morrison (father and son) who did so much in fostering the early Anglo-Chinese liaison (see 3-8-33); Russell Street (seemingly after the old American firm of Russell and Co., later incorporated in Shewan, Tomes, and Co.); Sharp Street
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8.
Another section is published to-day of t he old map of Hongkong drawn in the late Sixties or early Seventies, and first published about 1873. This section shows the Bowrington and Sookunpoo districts, with the whole of East Point, and there are several features of a most interesting nature.
Bowrington (or Bowring's Town) was so named after Sir John Bowring, who was Governor of Hongkong from 1854 to 1859. It is worth noting how the name of Causeway Bay arose there is an old causeway marked in the map, which appears to have been absorbed into the road along the waterfront.
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The fact that Hongkong's first public gardens were situated at Happy Valley is also indicated here. They occupied a site where the Craigengower, Police and Civil Service Clubs are now accommodated. The idea originated with Rev. Dr. Charles Gutzlaff (who was Chinese Secretary to the Government) in 1848, and a committee was appointed by the Government to select a site. Happy Valley, then the principal place of residence, was the natural selection. In 1860-61 the present Botanic Gardens were commenced, and the older place gradually went out of favour, becoming a mere recreation ground.
East Point Hill, on which the residence of Jardine's taipan stood, in use for many years, is now known as Lee Gardens (see 4-8-33); and the place marked as "J.M.Co's office" in this old map is now a combined godown and re- sidence in town in 1864, and the old place being converted later into a junior mess for employees of the, firm.
It is also interesting to note the No. 1 Police Station, still in use to-day (see 3-10-33). Behind that is shown Leighton's Hill (now known as Leighton Hill). The only reference I can find to the name is in an old chronicle which refers to Messrs, F. Leighton and Company purchasing some land on the Central waterfront in June 1841, being thus early pioneers of Hongkong. There is no further local reference to the firm by 1847, and it seems to have gone out of existence here after a few years.
Some of the Colony's earlier enterprises are also shown. The former Royal Mint Street marks the location of the mint (see 13-7-33), which existed for a while; and the ice manufactory (see 6-9-33), sugar refinery, and distillery, mark other old industries. The distillery is worthy of research, and perhaps some reader will be able to help here. All I can discover is that the proprietor was a Mr. John Jack, (who died in the Colony in 1878) while the distillery itself had to go into liquidation in August, 1873. A record of 1860 gives Mr. John Jack as being a carpenter and shipwright at Capt.J. Lamont's shipping slipway at East Point: 80 we may assume that he founded the dis- tillery some time in the Sixties. But what did he distill? If there ever was a Hongkong whiskey it deserves some record.
Various names of places and streets in this map a re easily explained. We have Morrison Hill, after the Morrison (father and son) who did so much in fostering the early Anglo-Chinese liaison (see 3-8-33); Russell Street (seemingly after the old American firm of Russell and Co., later incorporated in Shewan, Tomes, and Co.); Sharp Street
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