27.
"The street leading from the Eastern Praya to the Happy Valley was named 'Observation Place' because at that very spot Captain Belcher, R.N., of H.M.S. Sulphur, who took possession of the island in January, 1841, took his first observations for latitude and longitude. In 1911 it was 'christened' Tin Lok Lane, which means 'Happy Heaven lane', presumably in reference to the fact that the road leads to Happy Valley; though it may have reference to the heavenly bodies from which the observations were taken.
"It seems a great pity to me to mix up Chinese and English, as for instance in the case of Tung Street instead of Tung Tai. As a matter of fact East Street is known colloquially as Rat kai (Bargain Street) and is called Cat Street by European ladies."
Dr. Clark was one of the most distinguished men of his time, and was Dean and Lecturer on Forensic Medicine for the former College of Medicine, Hongkong, from 1897 to 1912, becoming Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Hongkong University in 1912, leaving in 1915 for war and post-war work. He went to Weihaiwei in 1924 as Chief Medical Officer, retiring in 1929. While in the Colony he published his researches on malaria fever and enteric fever here, and his views were authoritative and valuable to the medical fraternity.
Dr. Clark was also a member of the Legislative Council from 1902, and of the Executive Council from 1905; served as Commodore of the Hongkong Corinthian Yacht Club from 1904 to 1915, and is a life member of the Hongkong Club. Many older residents will recall him. It is pleasing to get news from one who was so long associated with the public and social life of the Colony.
The progress that has been made in the last fifty years is reflected in the two photographs reproduced below. The older of the two was taken in 1883 when Des Voeux Road constituted the Praya. The other was taken a few days ago.
A close examination and comparison of these two pictures is worth while. It is a coincidence that in each case new offices are being built for the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
A portion of the City Hall is shown in each picture. The building was opened in 1869 by His Royal Highness, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Most opportunely for development plans, it was condemned as being unsafe a few years ago, and part of it has now been demolished to make way for the Bank's new premises.
It will be seen that the Supreme Court, Prince's Building and all offices on that side of Des Voeux Road are standing on re-claimed ground.
And what a change has occurred in the City's skyline! Looking down Des Voeux Road from the City Hall in the old picture, one sees a row of three-storey buildings. The first of these housed the offices of a number of firms including Messrs. Holiday, Wise and Company, and Messrs. Alexander Ross and Company.
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Page 226
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"The street leading from the Eastern Praya to the Happy Valley was named 'Observation Place! because at that very spot Captain Belcher, R.N., of H.M.S. Sulphur, who took possession of the island in January, 1841, took his first observations for latitude and longitude. In 1911 it was !christened' Tin Lok Lane, which means 'Happy Heaven lane, presumably in reference to the fact that the road leads to Happy Valley: though it may have reference to the heavenly. bodies from which the observations were taken.
R
"It seems a great pity to me to mix up Chinese and nglish, as for instance in the case of Tung Street instead of Tung Tai, As a matter of fact East Street is known colloquially as Rat kai (Bargain Street) and is called Cat Street by European ladies."
Dr. Clark was one of the most distinguished men of his time, and was Dean and Lecturer on Forensic Medicine for the former College of Medicine, Hongkong, from 1897 to 1912, be- coming Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine of Hongkong University in 1912, leaving la 1915 for war and post-war work. He went to Weihaiwei in 1924 as Chief Medical Officer, retiring in 1929. While in. the Colony he published his researches on malaria fever and enteric fever here, and his views were authoritative and valuable to the medical fraternity.
Dr. Clark was also a member of the Legislative Council from 1902, and of the Executive Council from 1905: served: as Commodore of the Hongkong Corinthian Yacht Club from 1904 to 1915,and is a life member of the Hongkong Club. Many older residents will recall him. It is pleasing to get news from one who was so long associated with the public and social life of the Colony.
The progress that has been made in the last fifty years is reflected in the two photographs reproduced below, The older of the two was taken in 1883 when Des Voeux Road con- stituted the Praya. The other was taken a few days ago.
A close examination and comparison of these two pictures is worth while. It is a coincidence that in each case new offices are being built for the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
A portion of the City Hall is shown in each picture. as building was opened in 1869 by His Royal Highness, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Most opportunely for development plans, it was condemned as being unsafe a few years ago, and part of it has now been demolished to make way for the Bank's new premises.
it will be seen that the Supreme Court, Prince's Building o all offices on that side of Des Voeux Road are standing on re-claimed ground.
+
And what a change has occurred in the City's skyline! oking down Des Voeux Road from the City Hall in the old picture, one sees a row of three-storey buildings. The first of these housed the offices of a number of firms including Messrs. Holiday, Wise and Company, and Messrs. Alexander Ross and Company.
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