295
LIME-MAKING ON TSING YI
WONG TAK-YAN*
Lime-making is one of Hong Kong's old, declining industries. The very term "lime kiln" is considered strange by young people today, but in fact lime-making was one of Hong Kong's older industries. After Hong Kong was established, lime kilns were very significant and were most important in the establishment of a prosperous society in Hong Kong.
In the 1950s, there were more than ten lime kilns in Hong Kong, on Tsing Yi and Ping Chau Islands, and at Lau Fau Shan and Sai Kung. On Tsing Yi, lime kilns were operated by San Shing Lei (三聖利), Yuen Lei (#), Wing Shing Lung (永成隆), Lam Si Hap (林士合), and Shing Hing (成興); on Ping Chau by Hoh Wang Lei (何宏利), Shing Lei (勝利), and Tung Hing (東興); and at Lau Fau Shan and Sai Kung by Tai Fung (*) and others. These lime kilns produced more than 50,000 piculs of lime (石灰) every month.
Each of these kilns occupied a good deal of space, in order to provide storage space for the raw materials, such as shells, charcoal, dried grass, etc. In addition, each kiln had a number of roofed-over areas for the storage of prepared lime awaiting sale; furthermore, the actual process of preparing lime has to be conducted under shelter.
Most lime kilns were built near the shore, so that the kiln could have a private pier to facilitate the transport of the finished product and of raw materials by boat.
Uses of Lime
2
Lime is divided into three grades:
(1) Coarse lime (粗石灰) — used for plastering walls
(2) Fine lime (白石灰) — used for plastering ceilings
* See Plates 42-47
295
LIME-MAKING ON TSING YI
WONG TAK-YAN*!
Lime-making is one of Hong Kong's old, declining industries. The very term "lime kiln" is considered strange by young people today, but in fact lime-making was one of Hong Kong's older industries. After Hong Kong was established lime kilns were very significant and were most important in the establishment of a prosperous society in Hong Kong.
In the 1950s there were more than ten lime kilns in Hong Kong, on Tsing Yi and Ping Chau Islands, and at Lau Fau Shan and Sai Kung. On Tsing Yi lime kilns were operated by San Shing Lei (##), Yuen Lei (#), Wing Shing Lung ( * ), Lam Si Hap (A) and Shing Hing ( ), on Ping Chau by Hoh
Wang Lei (何宏利),Shing Lei (勝利 )and Tung Hing(東興 ), and at Lau Fau Shan and Sai Kung by Tai Fung (*) and others. These lime kilns produced more than 50,000 piculs of lime ( X ) every month.
Each of these kilns occupied a good deal of space, in order to provide storage space for the raw materials, such as shells, char- coal, dried grass etc. In addition each kiln had a number of roofed- over-areas for the storage of prepared lime awaiting sale; further- more, the actual process of preparing lime has to be conducted under shelter.
Most lime kilns were built near the shore, so that the kiln could have a private pier to facilitate the transport of the finished prod- uct and of raw materials by boat.'
Uses of Lime
2
Lime is divided into three grades:
(1) Coarse lime ( 7 ) — used for plastering walls (2) Fine lime (PE) — used for plastering ceilings
* See Plates 42-47
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