The Hongkong Oxygen & Carbide Company during WW2

HF: The Indhhk article linked below suggests some confusion about three companies that had similiar sounding names during WW2 and the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. They were: a) Hong Kong Oxygen b) Hongkong Oxygen & Carbide c) Far East Oxygen & Acetylene Time to attempt to separate them starting with Hongkong Oxygen & Carbide. Elizabeth Ride has sent these […]
» Read moreHappy Christmas – especially so for lucky Wanchai passers-by

Happy Christmas to you. And for the passers-by in Wanchai yesterday. HKD15 million gone in minutes after a security van spills bundles of cash on to Gloucester Road. At least until Asia’s finest getting working on the CCTV pictures. Thanks to Yannis Baritakis for sending me the article. SCMP article Related Indhhk article: The Hong Kong Mint, 1866-1868
» Read moreThe Decline of Hawkers Markets in Hong Kong – but where were they?

HF: The SCMP of 12th December 2014 contained a full page article, Bazaar Behaviour. This outlines the decline in the number of hawkers markets and discusses the view that “public policy over the years has served to concentrate retail activity in sanitised malls.” The article mentions:- – there were about 40 such bazaars in the 1970s. – that the number […]
» Read moreChun Hing [Diesel] Oil Factory, Kennedy Town, WW2

Elizabeth Ride has sent this BAAG report about Chun Hing Oil. HF: There is a contemporary Kwan Yick Building at 430-440A Des Voeux Rd West in Shek Tong Tsui which is the area immediately east of Kennedy Town. And a contemporary company, Chun Hing Petro-chemical Ltd, whose address is given as Fu Yung Building, Tsuen Wan. BAAG Report WIS #28 25.4.43 […]
» Read moreHong Kong Tramways: Extract from 2006 book including details of Rolling Stock

CM Fung has sent an extract of the book, Hong Kong Trams: Hongkong Tramway: 100 Years by Mike Davis. The Publisher’s website says the book is no longer available in bookshops but CM says it is available in a number of Hong Kong public libraries. These sections covered are: Initial proposals The Tramway route Tram services and termini Rolling stock […]
» Read moreCLP + HEC: Consumer Council call for break up of the duopoly

HF: Hong Kong Electric was founded in 1889. China Light and Power in 1901. Together they have been almost the only power companies to provide electricity to Hong Kong. If you are surprised by the insertion of “almost” have a look at Related Inddhk articles below. Now the Consumer Council has produced a report which suggests the Hong Kong government […]
» Read moreHong Kong Tramway books

CM Fung, IDJ and HF have compiled a list of books which contain information about the history of trams in Hong Kong. HF: I have added a useful, brief synopsis and review of some of the books provided by the http://www.orientalmodelbuses.co.uk/ website linked below. These also tell you whether the book is in English, Chinese or is bilingual. Hongkong Tramways, Joseph […]
» Read more“Lead Mine Pass” Mine – closure due to major fatal accident?

Tymon Mellor: It has never been clear why if there was a lead mine at Lead Mine pass, no one has developed the site when exploration has been undertaken all over the territory. There are references to the mine location on the contemporary maps and within Government reports following the take over of the New Territories in 1898. But no further […]
» Read moreQuarry Maps then and now – Jordan Valley, Anderson Road, Diamond Hill, Kwai Chung and Cha Kwo Ling

Thomas Ngan and HF: Quarrying and Stone Breaking have a very long history in Hong Kong. Firstly providing dressed building stone and later aggregate for concrete. Before 1966 there were many small ‘permit’ quarries scattered across Hong Kong. These mainly produced dressed building stone. The last of these quarries closed in 1974 after which only larger, licenced quarries were in […]
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