Contributions from:- HF Hugh Farmer JH James Hayes IDJ ER Elizabeth Ride Charcoal JH: Extracted from James’ article Charcoal Burning in Hong Kong which was included in the RASHKB Journal Volume 11, 1971. Not an obvious candidate as a utility but see the reference to North Point Power Plant. Electricity 1943 Aug “By August the coal stocks were exhausted. The power stations […]
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Our article Needle Hill Tungsten Mine has the following extract: “This abandoned mine is situated on the southern slopes of Needle Hill between Upper Shing Mun reservoir and Tai Wai. It was among the largest mining operations Hong Kong has seen, [and certainly its biggest Tungsten Mine]. The deposit was discovered in 1935 by a civil engineer, Mr G Hull, […]
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HF: I came across this company(ies) when shown the May Ming Building, (310)-312 Nathan Road which has apparently been vacant since the 1970s. The ground floor was occupied, apparently, at that time by the Tai Un Radio Service Company. A quick online check of both the address and that company produced a wikipedia file on the Tai Lin Radio Services […]
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Nahaha Lau: In 1939, a Shanghai entrepreneur Mr. Li Ying Sheng came to Hong Kong and established South China Brickworks in Castle Peak (Tuen Mun). It was later renamed Keen Sing Brickworks. Keen Sing Brickworks was located near the hill Por Lo Shan, which provided plenty of “red mud” as material for producing fired bricks. As the business evolved, the […]
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HF: The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) has published a Catalogue of Hong Kong Tunnels (up to February 2015). The list is extensive and as far as I know does not appear in a format which can be “searched”. The tunnels are grouped: 1. Road 2. Railway (MTRC and ex KCRC) 3. Water Supply 4. Drainage and Sewage 5. […]
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York Lo: Oriental Pacific Mills (東亞太平) – the Largest Wool Textile Producer in HK Left: Oriental Pacific Mills at Sheung Kwai Chung in 1966 (Land Use Survey, HKU Libraries); Right: logo of Oriental Pacific Mills Oriental Pacific Mills (refer to as “OP”) was the largest worsted and woolen spinning group in HK which was formed in 1959 as the result […]
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York Lo: Yan Kow (甄球) and Hip Hing Construction (協興建築) Left: Yan Kow (right) and Cheng Yu-tung (centre) and David Sin (left) at Hip Hing’s 10th anniversary celebration in 1971 (WKYP, 1971-5-3); Right: ad for Hip Hing and its 3 construction affiliates in the 1970s In the 1960s and 1970s, Yan Kow was a major figure in the construction industry […]
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IDJ and Hugh Farmer have been trying to find out about a power company that is supposed to have existed in Tai O on Lantau Island. China Light and Power’s website says that in 1955 the company acquired the Tai O Power Company “which supplies power to Lantau Island”. IDJ says “I’ve not heard of the Tai O Power Company […]
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HF: A visit on 6th Feb 2014 to the Hong Kong Museum of History led to the following information about The Hongkong Cotton-Spinning, Weaving and Dyeing Company Ltd 1898 -1914. This was the first major cotton spinning company in Hong Kong and was formed in 1898 by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co Ltd. (see article below). A photograph of the works […]
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According to Claire Grey’s excellent family history website, linked below, W R Loxley and Company (China) Ltd was established in Hong Kong in 1872 and… ‘…J. M. Beattie bought it possibly in 1900. Later two brothers: A. Beattie and M. P. Beattie joined the firm. The business was sold to J. A. Russell and D. O. Russell in 1919 and under the agreement A. Beattie […]
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