Meanwhile, however, "public interest slackened and subscriptions ceased flowing in. By the time the building was opened on January 31, 1863, by Sir H. Robinson and Mr. J. Whittall, the funds were exhausted." The Government refused in May that year to give a grant, and difficulties multiplied. In the autumn of 1864, Mr. Robert Jardine gave a further donation of $25,000 in aid of the fund and undertook to carry on the Home at his own expense for three years. It was hoped that by the end of that time the public would once more come forward and maintain the institution by annual public subscription. Eventually the difficulties were met. In recent years the premises became out of date, the locality was no longer suitable and the activities were transferred to Wan Chai. The Police have since adapted the old Home for use as a station.
485
The principal relic of Bishop Alford's work in the Colony is St. Peter's Church. At the suggestion of one of the trustees of the Sailors' Home (Captain Thomsett) weekly services for seamen had been organised at the Home in 1866. Soon after his arrival, Bishop Alford proposed the erection of a Church for seamen, and secured from the trustees the grant of a portion of their ground for the purpose. During a visit to England in 1870, the Bishop secured a donation of £500, and the promise of an annual contribution towards the salary of a seamen's chaplain. On his return to Hong Kong in March, 1871, he appealed to the public for further subscriptions. The family of the late Mr. Margesson, who was lost at sea, donated £300, the Governor made a grant of $2,500, the community subscribed liberally, and the trustees of St. John's Cathedral gave a spare bell. The building was rapidly pushed on, and on March 22, 1871, the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Alford. On January 14, 1872, the new church, dedicated to St. Peter, was opened (in the absence of the Bishop) by the Rev. J. Piper.
The church was in use until about two months ago, when the activities were transferred to Kowloon Tong, and the old St. Peter's Church is now being adapted as a street sleepers' shelter.
The Gas Works mark the site of the pioneer gas-lighting concern. It was in 1860 that a move was made to use gas instead of oil, and a company was formed that year in London for the purpose of introducing gas to Hong Kong. There was a slight hitch in the following year between the Hong Kong promoters and the London directors, but this was tided over, partly by Government intervention, in 1862, and the erection of the works was proceeded with. The city was lighted with gas for the first time on November 12, 1864. The company is thus one of the oldest public utility concerns in the Colony.
In connexion with the query regarding the naming of Whitty Street, in yesterday's article, I am grateful for a note from the H.K. and China Gas Company that this was probably a commemoration (I had thought as much at the time) of a former manager of the company, Mr. Whitty. He was associated with the concern for some years, certainly prior to the time the map was first published, and retired in 1877.
In an article on the East Point area, published on October 17 last, I asked for information as to the naming of certain localities, including Observation Place. I am greatly indebted to Dr. Francis Clark, M.D., now living at Home in retirement, for his interest in the subject, and the explanation of this name. He writes:
I am
26.
Meanwhile, however, "public interest slackened and subscriptions caased flowing in. By the time the building was opened on January 31, 1863, by Sir H. Robinson and Mr. J. Whittall, the funds were exhausted." The Government refused in May that year to give a grant, and difficulties multiplied. In the autumn of 1864, Mr. Robert Jardine gave a further donation of $25,000 in aid of the fund and undertook to carry on the Home at his own expense for three years. It was hoped that by the end of that time the public would once more come forward and maintain the institution by annual public subscription. Eventually the difficulties were met. In recent years the premises became out of date the locality was no longer suitable and the activities were transferred to wanchai. The Police have since adapted the old Home for use as a station.
485
The principal relic of Bishop Alford's work in the Colony is St. Peter's Church. At the suggestion of one of the trustees of the Sailors' Home (Captain Thomsett) weekly services for seamen had been organised at the Home in 1866. Soon after his arrival, Bishop Alford proposed the erection of a Church for seamen, and secured from the trustees the grant of a portion of their ground for the purpose. During a visit to England in 1870, the Bishop secured a dopation of £500, and the promise of annual contribution towards the salary of a seamen's chaplain. On his return to Hongkong in March, 1871, he appealed to the public for further subscriptions. The family of the late Mr. Margesson, who was lost at sea, donated £300, the Governor made a grant of $2,500, the community subscribed liberally, and the trustees of St. John's Cathedral 'gave a spare bell. The building was rapidly pushed on, and on March 22, 1871, the foundation stone was laid by Bishop Alford. On January 14, 1872, the new church, de- dicated to St. Peter, was opened (in the absence of the Bishop) by the Rev. J. Piper.
The church was in use until about two months ago, when the activities were transferred to Kowloon Tong, and the old St. Peter's Church is now being adapted as a street sleepers shelter.
The Gas Works mark the site of the pioneer gas-lighting concern. It was in 1860 that a move was made to use gas instead of oil, and a company was formed that year in London for the purpose of introducing gas to Hongkong. There was a slight hitch in the following year between the Hongkong promoters and the London directors, but this was tided over, partly by Government intervention, in 1862, and the erection of the works was proceeded with. The city was lighted with gas for the first time on November 12, 1864. The company is thus one of the oldest public utility concerns in the Colony.
In connexion with the query regarding the naming of. Whitty Street, in yesterday's article, I am grateful for a note from the H.K. and China Gas Company that this was probably a commemoration (I had though as much at the time) of a former manager of the company, Mr. Whitty. He was associated with the concern for some years, certainly prior to the time the map was first published, and retired in 1877.
In an article on the East Point area, published on üctober 17 last, I asked for information as to the naming of certain localities, including Observation Place. greatly indebited to Dr. Francis Clark, M.D., now living at Home in retirement, for his interest in the subject, and the explanation of this name. He writes:
I am
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