Hugh Farmer: Various sources mention the origin of the name of the once heavily industrialised Hong Kong area Kwun Tong. In particular it is suggested that the area was named after the Koon Fu salt yards (官富場), set up by the government to secure central administration of the salt trade and prevent unauthorised salt preparation and trading. And that there were […]
» Read moreI heard that there was a serious plan to build the KCR around the coast because it was thought the Beacon Hill tunnel was too long to build. I suppose it would have taken the Western route through Tuen Mun and Yuen Long. Can anyone confirm this? And provide a map and details of where the railway would have gone? […]
» Read moreHugh Farmer: While walking around Aberdeen last week I saw an information board that said, “the name Shek Pai Wan meant a bay packed with rows of stone” Shek Pai Wan is Aberdeen harbour ie the water between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau. Can anyone confirm that the above is correct. And if so what were the stones intended for, […]
» Read moreThe OED defines the word Comprador(e) as “a person who acts as an agent for foreign businesses” and suggests it originated, in English, in the 17th century from the Portuguese word for “buyer”. It is a term which occurs frequently in the 19th century colonial history of Hong Kong especially concerning trade between, China, Hong Kong and the rest of the […]
» Read more11. The Elm Tool and Die Company Newsletter Seven mentioned American Louis Marx’s Hong Kong “The Elm Tool and Die Company”, established in 1952 and managed by a David Yea. (However, another source suggests this company was registered on 15th November 1958 and dissolved on 2nd March 1991.) It appears this was a toy company as Mr. Yea was destined to […]
» Read moreGeorge Fogh, Denmark, read Fung Chi Ming’s article in Newsletter 7 about hand-pulled rickshaws and asks if there were ever bicycle ( also known as tricycle, trishaw and pedicabs) rickshaws in Hong Kong and if so were any manufactured here. Fung Chi Ming will respond in Newsletter 9
» Read moreCarles Brasó Broggi, based in Shanghai but currently living in Hong Kong, is researching two related companies. Peninsula Spinners Ltd. was established in Hong Kong in 1948 and became Hong Kong Spinners Ltd. in 1954. Carles is also interested in the founder of HK Spinners, C.Y. Wong (Wang Qiyu or Wang Chi Yue, 1883-1965) and T.Y. Wong (Wang Tongyuan or […]
» Read moreNewsletter Five mentioned the term ‘godown’ and suggested it originated from 16th Century Portuguese, ‘gudão’ or possibly an Indian language. Godown remains a common term in many parts of India and was frequently used in 19th century Hong Kong (eg The Hong Kong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, Limited) and Chinese ports. Does any reader have more information?
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Eric Spain also has an enquiry about salt production in Mui Wo. He remembers seeing some RAF aerial photographs which showed salt pans there. [presumably immediately before, during or shortly after WW2?] Does anyone have any information about the pans and/or these photographs? Eric thinks they may be in a HK government archive. Newsletter 06 Eric Spain enquired asked whether there were salt […]
» Read moreFrank Watson has been reading about the Plague outbreak in 1894. There is mention of a “Glass Works Hospital” which had been hastily converted from a glass works factory. He thinks this may have been in Kennedy Town. Can anyone confirm this, provide the exact location and any further information? Newsletter 06 “moddsey” through gwulo.com says that the location of […]
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