197
A WALK ALONG HARLECH AND LUGARD ROADS, THE PEAK, AUGUST, 201
BARBARA PARK
The Hindustan Gentians, Bottlebrush Ginger and Buttercup Orchids are in flower near Lugard Road as I write. They hide in the shadows, avoiding discovery by all but the eagle-eyed (including the author). What a delight is this road, providing shade, flora, fauna and views to please all but the truly jaded!
The road was completed in 1924, and the photographs below provided by Mr. Doug Franklin, are much appreciated. Doug lived at No. 34 Lugard Road, during the time his father was Editor of the South China Morning Post, which I believe was in the 1950s.
Photograph No. 3 shows Doug's house, and readers will be astonished to see the barrenness of the slopes thereabouts, which are now very heavily wooded. It appears from this photograph that Mr. Franklin Senior planted the Livistona Chinensis palms which now majestically grace the property.
The oldest house on the road is No.27, built in 1911, which previously housed the Swire Mess. This is a grand two-storey dwelling, much restored by the late Mr. Bob Lusher, in which the staircase from the old Hong Kong Club stands proudly. Younger are Nos. 28, 32 and 34, all built around the early 1930s. No. 28 was built by Mr. Lennox Godfrey Bird, senior partner of the architectural practice of Palmer and Turner (still a prominent firm to this day) as his own residence. No. 32 (Dragon Lodge) has had very mixed fortunes over the years, and I am assured by a former resident that the ghosts are very much in residence, and have caused her some distress.
No. 30, the apartment house known as Hirst Mansions, was built by the General Electric Company of the U.K., post-war, to provide accommodation for its senior staff, the last of whom, Mr. Alastair Murray, left Hong Kong during the 1980s.
No. 25, built as a colonial mansion, and formerly owned by Dr. H. Wen, has been abandoned, and presumably will be demolished, a sad fate for such a beautiful dwelling. The same fate appears about to befall
197
A WALK ALONG HARLECH AND LUGARD ROADS, THE PEAK, AUGUST, 201
BARBARA PARK
The Hindustan Gentians, Bottlebrush Ginger and Buttercup Orchids are in flower near Lugard Road as I write. They hide in the shadows, avoiding discovery by all but the eagle-eyed, (including the author). What a delight is this road, providing shade, flora, fauna and views to please all but the truly jaded!
The road was completed in 1924, and the photographs below provided by Mr. Doug Franklin, are much appreciated. Doug lived at No. 34 Lugard Road, during the time his father was Editor of the South China Morning Post, which I believe was in the 1950s.
Photograph No. 3 shows Doug's house, and readers will be astonished to see the barrenness of the slopes thereabouts, which are now very heavily wooded. It appears from this photograph that Mr. Franklin Senior planted the Livistona Chinensis palms which now majestically grace the property.
The oldest house on the road is No.27, built in 1911, which previously housed the Swire Mess. This is a grand two-storey dwelling, much restored by the late Mr. Bob Lusher, in which the staircase from the old Hong Kong Club stands proudly. Younger are Nos. 28, 32 and 34, all built around the early 1930s. No. 28 was built by Mr. Lennox Godfrey Bird, senior partner of the architectural practice of Palmer and Turner (still a prominent firm to this day) as his own residence. No. 32 (Dragon Lodge) has had very mixed fortunes over the years, and I am assured by a former resident that the ghosts are very much in residence, and have caused her some distress.
No. 30, the apartment house known as Hirst Mansions, was built by the General Electric Company of the U.K., post-war, to provide accommodation for its senior staff, the last of whom, Mr. Alastair Murray, left Hong Kong during the 1980s.
No. 25, built as a colonial mansion, and formerly owned by Dr. H. Wen, has been abandoned, and presumably will be demolished, a sad fate for such a beautiful dwelling. The same fate appears about to befall
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.