Water supply for boats, Lai Chi Kok, early 20th century

Tymon Mellor: As a key trading port for Southern China, Hong Kong harbour has always been full of boats stocking up for the next long journey. One question has always puzzled me, where did they get their fresh water? A look at the original maps of Kowloon provides an answer. The first map of Kowloon and the New Territories was […]

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Hong Kong Water Supply – Irrigation Reservoirs

Kwu Tung

Tymon Mellor: Farming in Hong Kong has always been a challenging vocation; small field sizes, labour intensive, often rugged terrain and unpredictable weather. In good times two crops of rice could be grown a year but with erratic rainfall and the expansion of the reservoir catchwaters system, the agricultural community were under pressure. They wanted infrastructure investment to support farming […]

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Ho Hung Yee – umbrella maker and repairer for 70 years, Peel Street, Central

HF: The SCMP of 26th July 2015 carried a report about the death of Ho Hung Yee who ran an umbrella stand on at the top end of Peel Street for decades. The article begins…”A fixture of the Central street scene dubbed the “Umbrella Man” for the decades he spent helping Hongkongers stay dry has died at the age of […]

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Hong Kong Water Supply – Mint Dam and Other Early Structures

Water Supply Facilities Default 010

Tymon Mellor: In the 1870’s as Hong Kong, or more precisely the city of Victoria, expanded, it was a continual challenge to supply water to the growing population and new industries. Whilst the western portion of the city could utilise the new water supply from the new Pok Fu Lam reservoir, everything east of the “Clock Tower” in Pedder Street […]

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The Fresh Water Fish Farming Industry of the New Territories

Colin Davidson: The Fresh Water Fish Farming Industry of the New Territories It is thought that fish farming in the New Territories evolved from rice paddy, where shrimp were farmed at the water gateways to the paddy.  Gradually the shrimp and fish farming developed, whilst the growing of rice declined.  As a result over time, rice paddy was replaced by […]

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Town Island (伙頭墳洲) – CLP Renewable Energy Supply Project

James Chan: Town Island (伙頭墳洲 Fo Tau Fan Chau), also known as Dawn Island is an island located south of the former High Island in Sai Kung District. A drug rehabilitation centre was established on the island in 1976 which is run by Operation Dawn. “Located off Sai Kung and without connection to the power grid, the Island used to rely […]

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Rope-making and Dyeing/Calendering on Ap Lei Chau Island. 1971 RASHKB article

James Chan:  I found this Royal Asiatic Society (HK Branch) ‘Notes and Queries’ article while looking through old volumes of the HKBRAS’ Journals. I thought it would be a useful addition to what we have on rope-making in Hong Kong. I regret that I was unable to find the illustrations that accompanied the article. If you can please contact the […]

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An Aeroplane Called Wanda – historic flight over Shatin March 18th, 1911.

Wanda, A Plane Called, Article, Image IDJ

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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Collection and export of metals, vehicles, machinery etc during the Japanese occupation, WW2, Part One 1942-1943

Elizabeth Ride has sent a number of British Army Aid Group (BAAG) reports regarding Japanese efforts to collect metals, vehicles, machinery, coins etc for export, mainly to Japan, during their occupation of Hong Kong (WW2). Elizabeth has re-typed several of these reports and has kindly added references to assist searching where this has not been done. This was a considerable effort […]

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