IDJ/Hugh Farmer: The Peak Tram was opened for public service on 28 May 1888. Initially a static steam engine was used to power the haulage cable. [can anyone tell us who manufactured the original engine and any other details about the Tram’s early mechanical operation?] In 1926 an electric motor replaced the original engine. This was manufactured along with other […]
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IDJ: To obtain an electricity supply in Hong Kong customers have to sign up with either China Light & Power Co Ltd or the Hong Kong Electric Co Ltd. However, in the years before 1984 the residents of Cheung Chau Island were supplied from their own independent power station operated by the Cheung Chau Electric Company Co Ltd which had […]
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HF: Magazine Island (火藥洲; Fo Yeuk Chau), originally known as One Tree Island (一木島) is located off the southwest coast of Hong Kong Island, and off the northwestern tip of Ap Lei Chau. Administratively, it is part of Southern District. The former Magazine Building on Magazine Island is now a Grade Three Historic Building. It was built by the British Dynamite Company, which later […]
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HF: Enoch Wang recently emailed me with the following information and images for which I thank him very much. Enoch Wang: I am a local aviation enthusiast and recently I had the luxury of having a half a day to spare in Christchurch, which I spent visiting the former Cathay Pacific/MATCO Catalina VR-HDH located at the Air Force Museum of […]
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Mak Ho Yin has kindly translated this report published on 19 December 1964, two days before the opening ceremony of the factory on 21 December, in the daily newspaper Wah Kiu Yat Po. Pioneer of Hong Kong Heavy Industry Opening of a Large Steel Tube Factory on Peng Chau by Hong Kong Tube and Metal Products Limited at Peng Chau on 21st December, […]
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IDJ: An Aeroplane Called Wanda For most people entering the main terminal at Hong Kong International Airport from taxis and buses, getting to the Check-In areas is their main priority. They do not see or ignore the vintage bi-plane hanging from the terminal’s ceiling even though it positioned next to well-used pedestrian ramps. Those on the ground floor are more […]
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Many thanks to IDJ for sending this article in. Thanks also to SCT for proofreading the following copy of the newspaper article. The images below did not appear in the original article. Cross-harbour report expected early 1961 By A CHINA MAIL REPORTER The report of the joint consulting engineers investigating the possibility of a harbour bridge or an alternative link […]
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Thanks to IDJ for the excellent images and information. Hugh Farmer writes:- I had always imagined that the Green Island Cement Company was named after HK’s Green Island (Tsing Chau) opposite Kennedy Town. But no, the company initially started operations on the similarly named island, Ilha Verde, near Macau. The date of its establishment there is given by various sources […]
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In 1965 Mary Esther Parker bought a sterling silver “hops shovel” at an antique shop in Fort Walton, Florida. On the back is inscribed: Hongkong Brewers & Distillers Ltd First Lager Brew 27.6.1934 This Hop Shovel with which she put the first hops into the brew is presented with grateful thanks to Lady Southorn The front, scooping side: Mary […]
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Hugh Farmer: A very merry Christmas to all our readers, contributors, administrators, translators, typists and all those who have helped the Group over the last year… March 1965: The value of Christmas decorations exported in 1964 was over HK$7 million. Electric light sets comprised the bulk of exports but plastic Christmas trees, candles, tinsel, paper lanterns and decorations were also […]
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