28.
487
On the other side of Ice House Street were the offices of Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., and Messrs. Russell and Co. (now Shewan, Tomes and Co.). The last building, belonged I believe, to Messrs. Dodwell and Co., and adjoining that (but out of sight in this picture) was the Hongkong Hotel.
Let us now examine the photograph of Des Voeux Road as it is to-day. It is much wider than it was 50 years ago and now carries a double track of tram lines. Next to the site of the new Bank is the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank annex, and next to that (the dome is just visible) is the Bank of Canton.
On the other side of Ice House Street, where the offices of David Sassoon and Company formerly stood, is the new National Savings and Commercial Bank Building. The Bank of East Asia has only recently been demolished and a fine new building is to be erected there. Then comes Lane Crawford's, and the white building in the centre middle distance is the Gloucester Residential.
These two photographs provide ample proof of the progress made in fifty years. Without a doubt, we will see just as striking changes in another fifty years. Soon, the City Hall will disappear altogether and the biggest building in Hongkong will take its place. The Bank of East Asia will blot out the view of the Gloucester Building.
I am indebted to Mr. L.S. Greenhill, of the Hongkong Land Investment and Agency Co., Ltd., for the old photograph of Des Voeux Road, and to Mr. J.H. Ruttonjee for identifying the buildings.
i.
In the previous two articles, I have dealt with the planning, erection, opening, and subsequent history of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital for Women and Children. I will now turn to the Victoria Jubilee Road, the second of the two permanent memorials to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.
Tuesday, June 22, 1897, was a memorable day in the history of Hongkong. The foundation stones of the Victoria Hospital and the Victoria Road were laid on that day by His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson.
After the foundation stone of the hospital had been laid, the official party proceeded to Jardine's Wharf at West Point and embarked on the Steamboat Company's s.s. Heungshan and the Governor's private launch, by which they proceeded to Sulphur Channel and landed at Kennedy Town.
The foundation stone bore the following inscription: "Victoria Road, This stone was laid by H.E. Sir William Robinson K.C.M.G., Governor, to commemorate the completion of the 60th year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria, 22nd June, 1897".
The Hon. Mr. C.P. Chater, in asking His Excellency to declare the stone "well and truly laid", requested that work on the new road be commenced simultaneously at Kennedy Town and Sai Wan, instead of at Kennedy Town only. Mr. Chater explained that the money in hand would justify this step being taken.
Without the slightest hesitation, His Excellency granted Mr. Chater's request, and promised that he would give orders for work to begin immediately. He then read the following message from Her Majesty: "From my heart, I thank my beloved people. May God bless them."
~
28.
487
On the other side of Ice House Street were the offices of Messrs. David Sassoon and Co., and Messrs. Russell and Co. (now Shewan, Tomes and Co.). The last building, belonged I believe, to Messrs. Dodwell and Co., and adjoining that (but out of sight in this picture) was the Hongkong Hotel.
Let us now examine the photograph of Des Voeux Road as it is to-day. It is much wider than it was 50 years ago and now carries a double track of tram lines. Next to the site of the new Bank is the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank annex, and next to that (the dome is just visible) is the Bank of Canton.
On the other side of Ice House Street, where the offices of David Sassoon and Company formerly stood, is the new National Savings and Commercial Bank Building. The Bank of East Asia has only recently been demolished and a fine new building is to be erected there. Then comes Lane Crawford's, and the white building in the centre middle distance is the Gloucester Residential.
These two photographs provide ample proof of the progress made in fifty years. Without a doubt, we will just as striking changes in another fifty years. Soon, the City Hall will disappear altogether and the biggest building in Hongkong will take its place. The Bank of East Asia will blot out the view of the Gloucester Building.
I am indebited to Mr. L.S. Greenhill, of the Hongkong Land Investment and Agency Co., Ltd., for the old photograph of Des Voeux Road, and to Mr. J.H. Ruttonjee for identifying the buildings.
i.
In the previous two articles I have dealt with the . planning, erection, opening and subsequent history of the Victoria Jubilee Hospital for Women and Children. I will now turn to the Victoria Jubilee Road, the second of the two permanent memorials to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria.
Tuesday, June 22, 1897 was a memorable day in the history of Hongkong. The foundation stones of the Victoria Hospital
and the Victoria Road were laid on that day by His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson.
After the Foundation stone of the hospital had been laid, the official party proceeded to Jardine's Wharf at West Point and embarked on the Steamboat Company's s.s. Heungshan and the Governor's private launch, by which they proceeded to Sulphur Channel and landed at Kennedy Town.
The foundation stone bore the following inscription: Victoria Road, This stone was laid by H.E. Sir William Robinson K.C.M.G., Governor, to commemorate the completion of the 60th year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty, QueenVictoria, 22nd June, 1897".
The Hon. Mr. C.P. Chater, in asking His Excellency to delcare the stone "well and truly laid", requested that work on the new road be commenced simultaneously at Kennedy Town and Sai Wan, instead of at Kennedy Town only. Mr. Chater explained that the money in hand would justify this step being taken.
Without the slightest hesitation, His Excellency granted Mr. Chater's request, and promised that he would give orders for work to begin immediately. He then read the following message from Her Majesty: "From my heart, I thank my beloved people. May God bless them."
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