James Chan, Rico Lee and Elizabeth Ride: High Island Reservoir is the largest in Hong Kong by volume, [273 (3) /281 (1) (4) million cubic metres]. Plover Cove Reservoir has a larger area. Government Department: Water Supplies Consultants: The reservoir was designed by Binnie & Partners as a part of the High Island Water Scheme which included pipeworks and other supporting infrastructure […]
» Read more
Hugh Farmer: This Enviromental Impact Assessment Report by the Civil Engineering Department in May 2000 provides some detail about salt production in Tai O on Lantau island. IDJ has provided the images showing the salt fields and workers of Tai O which do not come from the report. Jennifer Wong has kindly translated the script attached to the photographs. As the […]
» Read more
Tymon Mellor: The acquisition of Kowloon was primarily undertaken as a military exercise, but with it came the responsibility to provide fresh water for the existing population and the new large military contingent. The solution was to establish a number of wells and an associated rudimentary water distribution system, elements of which can still be seen today. The first official […]
» Read more
HF: These aerial photographs show the Lok On Pai desalting plant in 1973, 1982 and 2013. The plant opened in 1973 and closed in 1981 so the photos show it in the year of being commissioned, the year after its closure and last year. This article was first posted on 9th November 2014. Related Indhhk articles: Lok On Pai “desalting” […]
» Read more
HF: Gin Drinkers Bay ( 醉酒灣, Drunkard’s Bay) is also known as Lap Sap Wan (垃圾灣, Rubbish Bay). Explanations of why these two pejorative Cantonese terms are used would be welcomed. This photo comes from the Journal of the Geographical, Geological & Archaelogical Society March, 1961. This area of Hong Kong has changed almost beyond recognition since then. The bay was reclaimed later in […]
» Read more
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 […]
» Read more
Hugh Farmer: This article is the result of several people’s research into industrial development, manufacturing, agriculture, aviation, fishing, quarrying, utilities, shipping and other related topics on Lamma Island. We also include information about Lamma during World War Two which may be of a more general nature. If you can provide information on any of the subjects below, or add to […]
» Read more
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 […]
» Read more
James Chan: I found this 1889 map while looking through an archaelogical assessement of the MTR West Island line. The map shows Kennedy Town. On it are a silk works betwen Cadogan and Davis Streets. And a rope works along Forbes Street between Davis Street and Smithfield. What does anyone know about either of these two works? This article was […]
» Read more
Elizabeth Ride: A selection of information reported in the BAAG Intelligence Summaries. 1. Layout. September, 1944. [From indistinct original] The sketch plan and its key have been extracted from BAAG KWIZ Report #68 dated 29th September 1944 sent in by Elizabeth Ride. During the Battle of Hongkong, December 1941. * At the outbreak of war, HMS Moth was […]
» Read more