Alternative title: Alone but not lonely: the "Old Hongkong" newspaper column by "Colonial" in mid 1930s.
first: 17 June 1933: 13.
last: 13 Apr 1935: 10. LOOKING BACK NINETY YEARS
P.S. an "Old Hong Kong" column was launched in Sunday Morning Post in 2001.
1. 17 June 1933: 13. key point: the origin and purpose of the column, everyday interests of the population, the truth of history, role of newspaper, to preserve the history of its community, establishment of Historical Club of Hongkong, interesting history of City Hall and Beaconsfield Arcade
The demolition of the City Hall and Beaconsfield Arcade, and the plans for a new Government House and new Hongkong and Shanghai Bank headquarters, have promoted a renewed interest in Hongkong history. This is all to the good, and it will be a pity if advantage is not taken of the reminiscences now being swapped to improve the record of the Colony's story. There is, of course, an official record. This, however, is cold, and far from complete, since it does not take note of the everyday interests of the population. Moreover, official records have been known to exclude the truth, if the truth is embarrassing, with the result that historians who depend entirely upon them are often misled.
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To preserve the history of its community is the duty of the newspaper, a duty which nowadays is somewhat neglected in the hectic scramble to get hold of and publish only what is sensational. The newspapers, moreover, did not begin with the beginning of the Colony, though some of them go a good way back. In a community like this, also, the size of a newspaper and the size of capacity of its staff must be governed by circumstances; and the newspapers have not had the time or opportunity to set down all that has happened. There is need in the Colony of a Historical Association. It has been suggested that one be formed in connection with the University. The fact that Eitel is being brought up to date has encouraged the hope that something would be done to assist the editor of the new volume; but hitherto there is no sign off co-operative enthusiasm. The reason to any proposal to form a useful body is always the same - a shying from the idea lest it give someone inconvenience or burden him with another job of honorary work.
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I have therefore come to the conclusion that the best way to get something done is just to go ahead and do it, and it seems to me that a Historical Club could be formed on the lines of the Radio Listeners' Club - a club without any organisation at all, but consisting of members who please themselves how they cooperate, and are not called upon to attend any meetings, elect any officers or pay any subscriptions. I have asked the Editor's permission to use the S. C. M. Post a yarner's corner. I move therefore that a Historical Club of Hongkong be formed, to meet every day in this column, to be open to all who desire to write, and that I be President, Secretary, Treasurer and Committee. I second the motion and it is carried. The Club is formed, and I hope to have a large number of energetic members ready to answer all questions put.
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I do not propose to deal with periods chronologically nor in any order. Whatever material is available will be discussed as it offers. Unquestionably, however, the first topic should be the City Hall, since it is the removal of this and the sale of the site that are making so many other contemporary developments possible. This history of the building has recently been given and I need not repeat it all. For reference purposes however, it may be summarised.
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The City Hall was completed on June 28, 1869, almost exactly 64 years ago, and was opened on November 2 that year by H. R. H. Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. The idea of building a city hall originated in 1861, and a meeting was held at the Hongkong CLub to consider the project. A provisional committee was formed to forward the project in 1863, a report was issued by the people concerned in 1864, and a public meeting was held in August, 1866, when the tender for the construction of the building was accepted. The foundation stone was laid on February 23, 1867.
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In this connexion the interesting question arises, what is to be done with the old foundation stone? Is it to be dug up and preserved or merely buried under the foundations of the new Hongkong Bank? An enquiry at the P. W. O. recently elicited a reply that the authorities have not decided on this question: indeed, they do not know whether the old foundation stone is likely to be disturbed at all, and if it is, the matter of its disposal will have to be left over until then.
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It might be pointed out that the land for the site was a free grant by the Government, made in 1864.
The Theatre Royal portion of the building was "christened" as far back as November 3, 1869, when the first performance was held therein, by the Amateur Dramatic Corps (as the A.D.C. was then known), and the members of the German Club Concordia.
References to the Library and Museum (then a mere nucleus) are made in the report of a meeting held in 1870.
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In 1890, at the time of the Praya Reclamation scheme, the committee of the City Hall considered that the shareholders were entitled to benefit by the scheme as regarded that portion of the reclamation abutting on their site. The Government contested this, and the committee obtained legal advice. Despite their efforts to get some form of recognition of their supposed rights, however, the committee came up against definite official opposition, and the matter was "allowed to stand over". There is no record of further efforts to obtain compensation.
This controversy was referred to at a meeting of shareholders and subscribers to the City Hall held on March 26, 1919, when the idea was put forward that the building should be replaced by a new one in the form of a War Memorial. The scheme, however, fell through.
The building has not been without its legends, and the best known one is that the unicorn on the coat of arms on the facade used at one time to make nocturnal excursions abroad. The chain around it is supposed to keep it in check. Can you tell a better one?
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Beaconsfield Arcade, opposite the City Hall, is already practically no more. Its history is a specially interesting one. In October, 1878, the Hon. Mr. E. R. Belilios, a member of the Legislative Council, placed a sum of £1,000 in the hands of the local Government for the erection of a statue to Lord Beaconsfield (that was the period of statue-erecting) of whom Mr. Belilios was an ardent admirer. The Government communicated with Lord Beaconsfield, who, modestly enough, deprecated the idea; so the money was eventually used to establish the Medical Society Fund, which was subsequently changed into the Belilios Scholarship Fund. The donor of the money, however, was determined that Lord Beaconsfield's name should be commemorated in Hongkong, and he therefore named the row of houses opposite the City Hall (which were his property) Beaconsfield Arcade. They were used as shops, offices, and residential flats for a number of years. The Government purchased the property about eleven years ago; and when demolition has been completed will either sell the land to private interests or else build thereon. Does anyone know anything else of interest attached to this old Arcade?
