NOTES AND QUERIES
THE POTTERY KILNS AT WUN YIU, TAI PO
So far as I know, the printed official papers of the Hong Kong Government contain only a few references to these local kilns. They all relate to the period 1899-1912 and in chronological order are as follows:
(a) "One village we visited was engaged entirely in the manufacture of pottery, the clay for which is found in the mountain immediately above the village. The villagers are said to have learned the art of manufacturing pottery from an Italian missionary who formerly resided among them." J. H. Stewart Lockhart's Report on the New Territory, Hongkong Government Gazette, 8 April 1899 P. 544.*
(b) "The pottery works at Un Yiu near Tai Po manufacture very coarse ware for export to Kong Mun and local use. The trade done is quite small.” Eastern No, 88, Correspondence relating to the Kowloon-Canton Railway (London Colonial Office, 1907) Enclosure B to No. 59 to Lyttelton, 11 January 1905.
(c) "The only Potteries are at Wun Yiu near Taipo, about 400,000 pots, rice bowls and plates are here turned out every year, of an average value of 6 cash each; most of them are exported to Tam Shui in Chinese Territory, Some also to Hongkong." G. N. Orme. "Report on the New Territories 1899-1912" Sessional Papers 1912, para. 83, p. 55.
There were at least two kilns. One of these was built over some years ago for a school extension. The other, or part of it, is still to be seen. There are said to be others in the area.
A temple dedicated to Fan Sin Kung (#) stands near the site of the kilns. It is in good repair and contains commemorative
* Appendix No. 2 to the Report, which deals with the geology of the New Territory, adds 'Some excellent pottery clay exists on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan, of which we saw specimens in the village of Wun Yiu, of a light brown colour and extremely fine texture'.
NOTES AND QUERIES
THE POTTERY KILNS AT WUN YIU, TAI PO
So far as I know, the printed official papers of the Hong Kong Government contain only a few references to these local kilns. They all relate to the period 1899-1912 and in chronological order are as follows:
(a) "One village we visited was engaged entirely in the man- ufactury of pottery, the clay for which is found in the mountain immediately above the village. The villages are said to have learned the art of manufacturing pottery from an Italian missionary who formerly resided among them." J. H. Stewart Lockhart's Report on the New Territory, Hongkong Government Gazette, 8 April 1899 P. 544.*
(b) "The pottery works at Un lu near Tai Po manufacture very coarse ware for export to Kong Mun and local use. The trade done is quite small.” Eastern No, 88, Corresp- ondence relating to the Kowloon-Canton Railway (London Colonial Office, 1907) Enclosure B to No. 59 to Lyttelton, 11 January 1905.
(c) "The only Potteries are at Wun Ju near Taipo, about 400,000 pots, rice bowls and plates are here turned out every year, of an average value of 6 cash each; most of them are exported to Tam Shui in Chinese Territory, Some also to Hongkong." G. N. Orme. "Report on the New Territories 1899-1912" Sessional Papers 1912, para. 83, p. 55.
There were at least two kilns. One of these was built over some years ago for a school extension. The other, or part of it, is still to be seen. There are said to be others in the area.
A temple dedicated to Fan Sin Kung (# ) stands near the site of the kilns. It is in good repair and contains commemorative
* Appendix No. 2 to the Report, which deals with the geology of the New Territory, adds 'Some excellent pottery clay exists on the slopes of Taimo Shan, of which we saw specimens in the village of Un-iu, of a light brown colour and extremely fine texture'.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.