Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 244

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

-7.3.3

now

5:05

There was a certain amount of opposition from rival establishments but none of them attained the high standard of the Hongkong Hotel, which became synonymous with the best of accommodation and service in the Far East. The later history of the company, known as the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd., with its acquirement of the Peak, Repulse Bay and Peninsula Hotels, besides operating establishments in Shanghai and the North, is probably well known to most readers. There are some interesting facts about the earlier operation of the Hongkong Hotel, however, that might well be included in this brief history. In the first few years of its existence, the letting of rooms was contracted out, being given to the highest bidder. We read in a chronicle of 1873, for instance, that the occupancy of the Hong Kong Hotel was let again on August 23 of that year to Messrs. Dowrobjee, Norowjee and Hing Kee, the "present tenants", for a term of five years. There were three tenders. It was announced at the same time that "a complete renovation is to be effected, and additions and alterations made for the increased comfort of guests".

While on the subject of hotels, further names of establishments operating here in the old days might be given. For example, the list of "hotels and taverns" in existence in Hongkong in 1873 may be given as a supplement to the lists dated 1847 (see 14-8-33) and 1860 (see 7-3-33) already published in this column. By checking back we can see which of these establishments had survived, and how many had fallen by the wayside, so to speak. A fair number of the names in 1873 appeared in the earlier lists, and it suggests that they found a sufficient custom to keep them going prosperously for quite a time. The following names listed in 1863, however, practically all located in Queen's Road, had disappeared ten years afterwards: Albion Hotel (Edward Parker), The "Argus" (G. Green, in Peel Street), Army and Navy Hotel (changed latter to "Tavern", H.J. Carr), Bombay Tavern (Mariano Fernandes), British Queen (George Thompson), Commercial Billiard Rooms (Stanley Street, W. Owen and E.J. Manning), Eldorado Inn (William McDiarmid Kerr), The "Flag" (James Borton), Irish Flag (John Ritchie), London Tavern (later changed to "Inn", G. Snelling), Nemesis Tavern (called after the warship, John Meveety), Sportsman's Arms (R. Beattie), Taku Forts (John Alves), and White Swan (Joaquim Caldeira).

The 1873 list, which includes the Hongkong Hotel, is taken from a report of the "Annual Licensing Meeting" held on November 7 of that year, and is as follows, nearly all taverns, with names of proprietors or license holders in brackets:

National Tavern (John Olson), The Lane We Live In (Louis Kirchmann), London Inn (Lawrence Young), Empire Tavern (John Hornby), Welcome Tavern (Joaquim Gomez), Hamburg Tavern (John Juster), Rising Sun (Henry Kirchmann), British Crown (Louis M. Lobo), City of Hamburg (A. Wohlters), Army and Navy (Christian Kock), Victoria Hotel (Henry May), Royal Oak (P. Peterson), British Inn (Henry John Carr), Oriental Hotel (Wellington Street, Francis Francis), Star Tavern, formerly Diver's Arms (Thomas Hollowell), Crown and Anchor (William Bristow), German Tavern (C.F.W. Peterson), Hotel d'Europe (Hollywood Road, Edward Estarico), Globe Hotel (T.H. O'Flaherty), Hotel de L'Univers (Virgil Favre), Sailor's Home (Jacob Fritz Schuster), Stag Hotel (J.R. White), Old House at Home (G.W. Elliot), Hongkong Hotel (Dorabjee Nowrojee), and British Hotel (John McNulty).

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-7.3.3 now 5:05 There was a certain amount of opposition from rival establishments but none of them attained the high standard of the Hongkong Hotel, which became synonymous with the best of accommodation and service in the Far East. The later history of the company, known as the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd., with its acquirement of the Peak, Repulse Bay and Peninsula Hotels, besides operating establishments in Shanghai and the North, is probably well known to most readers. There are some interesting facts about the earlier operation of the Hongkong Hotel, however, that might well be included in this brief history. In the first few years of its existence, the letting of rooms was contracted out, being given to the highest bidder. We read in a chronicle of 1873, for instance, that the occupancy of the Hong Kong Hotel was let again on August 23 of that year to Messrs. Dowrobjee, Norowjee and Hing Kee, the "present tenants", for a term of five years. There were three tenders. It was announced at the same time that "a complete renovation is to be effected, and additions and alterations made for the increased comfort of guests". While on the subject of hotels, further names of establishments operating here in the old days might be given. For example, the list of "hotels and taverns" in existence in Hongkong in 1873 may be given as a supplement to the lists dated 1847 (see 14-8-33) and 1860 (see 7-3-33) already published in this column. By checking back we can see which of these establishments had survived, and how many had fallen by the wayside, so to speak. A fair number of the names in 1873 appeared in the earlier lists, and it suggests that they found a sufficient custom to keep them going prosperously for quite a time. The following names listed in 1863, however, practically all located in Queen's Road, had disappeared ten years afterwards: Albion Hotel (Edward Parker), The "Argus" (G. Green, in Peel Street), Army and Navy Hotel (changed latter to "Tavern", H.J. Carr), Bombay Tavern (Mariano Fernandes), British Queen (George Thompson), Commercial Billiard Rooms (Stanley Street, W. Owen and E.J. Manning), Eldorado Inn (William McDiarmid Kerr), The "Flag" (James Borton), Irish Flag (John Ritchie), London Tavern (later changed to "Inn", G. Snelling), Nemesis Tavern (called after the warship, John Meveety), Sportsman's Arms (R. Beattie), Taku Forts (John Alves), and White Swan (Joaquim Caldeira). The 1873 list, which includes the Hongkong Hotel, is taken from a report of the "Annual Licensing Meeting" held on November 7 of that year, and is as follows, nearly all taverns, with names of proprietors or license holders in brackets: National Tavern (John Olson), The Lane We Live In (Louis Kirchmann), London Inn (Lawrence Young), Empire Tavern (John Hornby), Welcome Tavern (Joaquim Gomez), Hamburg Tavern (John Juster), Rising Sun (Henry Kirchmann), British Crown (Louis M. Lobo), City of Hamburg (A. Wohlters), Army and Navy (Christian Kock), Victoria Hotel (Henry May), Royal Oak (P. Peterson), British Inn (Henry John Carr), Oriental Hotel (Wellington Street, Francis Francis), Star Tavern, formerly Diver's Arms (Thomas Hollowell), Crown and Anchor (William Bristow), German Tavern (C.F.W. Peterson), Hotel d'Europe (Hollywood Road, Edward Estarico), Globe Hotel (T.H. O'Flaherty), Hotel de L'Univers (Virgil Favre), Sailor's Home (Jacob Fritz Schuster), Stag Hotel (J.R. White), Old House at Home (G.W. Elliot), Hongkong Hotel (Dorabjee Nowrojee), and British Hotel (John McNulty).

Baseline (Original)

-7.3.3 now 5:05 There was a certain amount of opposition from rival e stablish- ments but none of them attained the high standard of the Hongkong hotel, which became synonymous with the best of accommodation and service in the Far East. The later history of the company, known as the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd., with its acquirement of the Peak, Repulse Bay and Peninsula Hotels, besides operating establishments in Shanghai and the North, is probably well known to most readers. There are some interesting facts about the earlier operation of the Hongkong Hotel, however, that might well be included in this brief history. In the first few years of its existence, the letting of rooms was con- tracted out, being given to the highest bidder. We read in a chroni chronicle of 1873, for instance, that the occupancy of the Hong Kong Hotel was let again on August 23 of that year to Messrs. Dowrobjee, Norowjee and Hing kee, the "present tenants", for a term of five years. There were three tenders. It was announced at the same time that "a complete renovation is to be effected, and additions and alterations made for the increased comfort of guests". While on the subject of hotels, further names of establish- ments operating here in the old days might be given. For example, the list of "hotels and taverns" in existence in Hongkong in 1873 may be given as a supplement to the lists dated 1847 (see 14-8-33) and 1860 (see 7-8--33) already published in this column. By check- ing back we can see which of these establishments had survived, and how many had fallen by the wayside, so to speak. A fair number of the names in 1873 appeared in the earlier lists, and it. suggests that they found a sufficient custom to keep them going prosperously for quite a time. The following names listed in 1863, however, practically all located in Queen's Road, had disappeared ten years alterwards Albion Hotel (Edward Parker), The "Argus" (G.Green, in Peel Street), Army and Navy Hotel (changed latter to "Tavern", H.J. Carr), Bombay Tavern (Mariano Fernandes), British Queen (George Thompson), Commercial Billiard Rooms (Stanley Street, W. Owen and E.J. Manning), Eldorado Inn (William McDiarmed Kerr), The "Flag" (James Borton), Irish Flag (John Ritchie), London Tavern (later changed to "Inn", G. Snelling), Nemesis Tavern (called after the warship, John Meveety), Sportsman's Arms (R. Beattie), Taku Forts (John Alves), and White Swan (Joaquim Caldeira). The 1873 list, which includes the Hongkong Hotel, is taken from a report of the "Annual Licensing Meeting" held on November 7 of that year, and is as follows, nearly all taverns, with names of proprietors or license holders in brackets: National Tavern (John Olson), The Lane We Live In (Louis Kirchmann), London Inn (Lawrence Young), Empire Tavern (John Hornby), Welcome Tavern (Joaquim Gomez), Hamburg Tavern (John Juster), Rising Sun (Henry Kirchmann), British Crown (Louiz M. Lobo, City of Hamburg (A. Wohlters), Army and Navy (Christian kock), Victoria Hotel (Henry May), Royal Oak (P. Peterson), British Inn (Henry John Carr), Oriental Hotel (Wellington Street, Francis Francis), Star Tavern, formerly Diver's Arms (Thomas Hollowell), Crown and Anchor (William Bristow), German Tavern (C.F.W. Peterson), Hotel d'Europe (Hollywood Road, Edward Estarico), Globe Hotel (T.H.O'Flaherty), Hotel de L'Univers (Virgil Favre), Sailor's Home (Jacob Fritz Schuster), Stag Hotel (J.R. White), Old House at Home (G.W. Elliot), Hongkong Hotel (Dorabjee Nowrojee), and British Hotel (Dorabjee Nowrojee), and British Hotel (John McNulty).

2026-05-02 12:44:41 · Baseline

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-7.3.3

now

5:05

There was a certain amount of opposition from rival e stablish- ments but none of them attained the high standard of the Hongkong hotel, which became synonymous with the best of accommodation and service in the Far East. The later history of the company, known as the Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd., with its acquirement of the Peak, Repulse Bay and Peninsula Hotels, besides operating establishments in Shanghai and the North, is probably well known to most readers. There are some interesting facts about the earlier operation of the Hongkong Hotel, however, that might well be included in this brief history. In the first few years of its existence, the letting of rooms was con- tracted out, being given to the highest bidder. We read in a chroni chronicle of 1873, for instance, that the occupancy of the Hong Kong Hotel was let again on August 23 of that year to Messrs. Dowrobjee, Norowjee and Hing kee, the "present tenants", for a term of five years. There were three tenders. It was announced at the same time that "a complete renovation is to be effected, and additions and alterations made for the increased comfort of guests".

While on the subject of hotels, further names of establish- ments operating here in the old days might be given. For example, the list of "hotels and taverns" in existence in Hongkong in 1873 may be given as a supplement to the lists dated 1847 (see 14-8-33) and 1860 (see 7-8--33) already published in this column. By check- ing back we can see which of these establishments had survived, and how many had fallen by the wayside, so to speak. A fair number of the names in 1873 appeared in the earlier lists, and it. suggests that they found a sufficient custom to keep them going prosperously for quite a time. The following names listed in 1863, however, practically all located in Queen's Road, had disappeared ten years alterwards Albion Hotel (Edward Parker), The "Argus" (G.Green, in Peel Street), Army and Navy Hotel (changed latter to "Tavern", H.J. Carr), Bombay Tavern (Mariano Fernandes), British Queen (George Thompson), Commercial Billiard Rooms (Stanley Street, W. Owen and E.J. Manning), Eldorado Inn (William McDiarmed Kerr), The "Flag" (James Borton), Irish Flag (John Ritchie), London Tavern (later changed to "Inn", G. Snelling), Nemesis Tavern (called after the warship, John Meveety), Sportsman's Arms (R. Beattie), Taku Forts (John Alves), and White Swan (Joaquim Caldeira).

National Tavern (John Olson), The Lane We Live In (Louis Kirchmann), London Inn (Lawrence Young), Empire Tavern (John Hornby), Welcome Tavern (Joaquim Gomez), Hamburg Tavern (John Juster), Rising Sun (Henry Kirchmann), British Crown (Louiz M. Lobo, City of Hamburg (A. Wohlters), Army and Navy (Christian kock), Victoria Hotel (Henry May), Royal Oak (P. Peterson), British Inn (Henry John Carr), Oriental Hotel (Wellington Street, Francis Francis), Star Tavern, formerly Diver's Arms (Thomas Hollowell), Crown and Anchor (William Bristow), German Tavern (C.F.W. Peterson), Hotel d'Europe (Hollywood Road, Edward Estarico), Globe Hotel (T.H.O'Flaherty), Hotel de L'Univers (Virgil Favre), Sailor's Home (Jacob Fritz Schuster), Stag Hotel (J.R. White), Old House at Home (G.W. Elliot), Hongkong Hotel (Dorabjee Nowrojee), and British Hotel (Dorabjee Nowrojee), and British Hotel (John McNulty).

Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 244

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