Colonial Hong Kong Historial Writing: "Colonial"'s "Old Hongkong" newspaper column in mid 1930s (3)

Column "Old Hongkong" by "Colonial" from 1933 to 1935. 

3: 21 June 1933: 13.

These are the dog days, both as regards weather and restrictions. There has been a howl, by dogs and owners alike, and much has been said on either side about the rigid control of the canine population of the Colony. There is no doubt that muzzling and leashing is justified at a time when the risk of infection by that dread disease, hydrophobia, exists. The detection of the germ of rabies, and the Pasteur treatment which was developed, are matters of comparatively recent history, and many local residents may think that in the old days of Hongkong the life of the dog was absolutely free and unhindered. This is far from being the case, for within a few years of the Colony being founded there were needed restrictions on canines. The question of dog control was raised as early as 1844, when it was stated that a large number of these animals could be found straying along Queen's Road, with no ostensible owners. It appears that the early arrivals had brought their dogs along too, and one can imagine how ships' pets would come ashore, and how the Chinese villagers who were attracted in growing numbers after British occupation would have brought their inevitable "chow" dogs. And so the strays increased in a few years to an extent to call for official notice.

The authorities therefore issued a notification that as from October, 1844, all dogs found straying without collars or other marks of ownership would be destroyed by the Police. It is at least possible that dogs were shot then as they are now. Apparently the measures taken by the authorities were not found sufficient for the following year, 1848, notificaiton was issued that all dogs, of any kind, found running loose after ten o'clock at night would be destroyed. So present-day dog-owners in the Colony cannot sigh for the "good old days.""

The references to local prisons in the early years of the Colony in yesterday's article, recall that the conferring of nicknames on such establishments goes back a good many years. The tendency to name such a place a "hotel," and attach the surname of the Superintendent is nothing new! The old Victoria Gaol was once known as "Douglas' Hotel," after the Superintendent who was appointed about seventy years ago. Reference was made yesterday to the frequent records of escapes from the prisons, and the old chronicles relate that a particularly daring one was effected in 1863, from the Hongkong gaol, when quite a number of convicts made their way out of the building by crawling through the drains. There was an outcry against what was considered laxity on the part of the officials, and a Commission - they had the Commission habit even then - was appointed to investigate matters. Following its report, a new Superintendent was appointed. He was Mr. F. Douglas, and thus arose the name of Douglas' Hotel." Evidently our forebears in Hongkong were not without their sense of humour.

It appears that the post of Superintendent of the Gaol had been most unpopular, and various Government departments were searched in vain for someone who would undertake the job, the pay for which was the fairly good one (in those days) of $120 a month with free quarters. Eventually resort was had to the shipping in port, and for a time the prison was superintended by the mate from a vessel in habour. It is on record that the man in question had a "past" which was not quite favourable, but that did not debar him from appointment to the post.

Mr. Douglas, however, was appointed by the Secretary of State, and the prison regime improved from that date. This officer died in 1874, and references to his fine qualities were made by the Chief Justice of the time in the Supreme Court. The funeral was attended by the leading people of the Colony; and about three years later a gratuity of $1,920 was voted by the Legislative Council for his children.

"Dramaticus:" With others, I am interested in the idea of collecting historical data connected with the Colony. Several years ago I acquired a bound volume of The Hong Kong Times. I wonder how many people, even those of the newspaper' fraternity, ever knew that such a publication existed. The earliest copy in my possession is No. 14 published on 16th May, 1873. The Hong Kong Times, Daily Advertiser and Shipping Gazette, to give its full title, was a four page newspaper, published every morning by its Proprietor, William Curtis at its office, No. 5 Duddell Street. How long it continued to exist I have still to discover. Sixty years is a long time to go back and I do not suppose there are residents alive in the Colony to-day who will be able to help, but with your permission, I hope from time to time to give you extracts from early copies of this newspaper in the hope that such, and any questions I amy ask, may be helpful to "Colonial" in his historical search.

"Old Mortality:" With regard to the communication which you received from "A.M," I offer the following observations:

(1) I think the old building to which he refers as standing behind Beaconsfield Arcade was that which latterly housed certain Government Offices including, I believe, the Registrar General (now the Secretary for Chinese Affairs) and the Sanitary Board, but which was at an earlier date - prior to the completion of the Praya Reclamation - occupied by Messrs. Butterfield and Swire.

(2) As to the building which used to stand on the site of the present Hongkong Bank Annexe - this, I believe, from approximately 1900 to 1908, constituted the premises of the Institution of Hongkong Engineers and Shipbuilders, on the one side, and Messrs. Alex. Ross and Co. on the other. The Chambers of the late Mr. J. J. Francis, K.C. were on the first floor.

(3) Is not "A.M." somewhat at fault with regard to what he terms "the old Victoria Building (now the old French Bank Building?)" I am under the impression that the old Victoria Building was situate at the corner of Queen's Road and Ice House Street, and was occupied by Farmer's Victoria Hotel and subsequently by the International Banking Co-operation. The site on which the French Bank Building is situate used to be occupied in part by the old National Bank of China and the late Sir Paul Chater's office. I understood from Sir Paul Chater that this building was prior to the acquisition thereof by himself and the late Mr. Mody, owned by Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Co. who had their offices there until about 1883, when they moved to Pedder Street and occupied a building on the same site, but rather higher up, than the one in which their present offices are situated.

(4) "A.M's." suggestion that you should, if possible, obtain pictures, and adorn your column thereiwth, is, I think, very much to be commended, and I am perfectly certain that no-one who possesses any such suitable material would gainsay a request for the loan thereof.

Replies and comments by readers are welcome.

Colonial Hong Kong Historial Writing: "Colonial"'s "Old Hongkong" newspaper column in mid 1930s (2)

Column "Old Hongkong" by "Colonial" from 1933 to 1935. 

2: 17 June 1933: 15.

The kick-off with this Historical Club has evidently been a success, and it looks as if there are going to be quite a number of members in time. I am indebted to the following correspondents for an early response, and incidentally, they are enrolled as the first honorary members.

Bindihi: Congratulations upon the formation of the Historical Club of Hongkong, though I think the world "Hongkongiana" would be more suitable and convenient as a name. Perhaps, however, a nickname will evolve. The Club undoubtedly will fill a long felt want. I remember a few years ago there were a number of old hands who knew a lot about early Hongkong. I tried to induce one of them to write his reminiscences, but although he promised to do so he never could concentrate sufficiently on the task, and he died before he could begin. Even in my time here about eighteen years, the Colony has changed greatly. I can remember when Kowloon was truly rural, and I recall wandering around Pedder's Hill when there was a boarding house on top and the old Sassoon fort below. I believe it was used as a magistracy for a time. Afterwards it became a godown for the Electric Company (opposite the Old China Mail office in Wyndham Street). Now it is gone and there is a row of shop buildings there. Much of history of this sort can be recaptured and set down, and I hope the old timers will come forward.

J. B.: Permit me to congratulate "Colonial" on his hardihood. When it comes to holding offices he is a veritable Mussolini - the whole cheese. I am afraid, however, that he has taken in hand a good deal more than he wots of. Would it not have been better after all to have formed a proper association at the meetings of which historical papers could have been read? These could then have been printed and bound in volume form leaving a permanent and accurate record of the history of the Colony. It may be, however, that those best able to contribute to such a record are past being enthusiastic and would prefer to contribute in scraps their knowledge of the place. In any event, I wish you the best of luck and I hope to add my quota either by question or data when opportunity offers.

*   *   *

From the City Hall to the fountain opposite the building is a natural step. The fountain is no more, and the Government is not going to re-erect it elsewhere. There is nowhere else where it could be placed: an in any case, the recurrent dearth of water in the Colony precludes the use of the structure as a fountain. For this reason it had ceased to spout for a number of years; so it was of no use except as a rather doubtful ornament. Yet it has a great historical interest, and at one time was looked upon with much pride by the citizens of Hongkong. That was in the days when the small community took pride in its City Hall, centre of the civic activities of a growing world port, and its Theatre Royal, then considered, rightly, entirely up-to-date and even ornate. With the rapid growth of the city, the change of outlook, and the advance of architectural ambition, the civic pride became dulled, and almost disappeared. The fountain remained in the way of traffic, dirty, the resort of ragged loungers, and "dead". But it was a link with the rapidly disappearing past of Hongkong which it is a pity of lose.

*   *   *

The donor of this fountain was Mr. John Dent, a merchant, head of the now defunct firm bearing his name. He gave the fountain to the "people of Hongkong", in perpetuity, so that you and I were part owners thereof. Not that we ever bothered about our ownership! The centre was ornamental in its way, with draped female figures, in a graceful attitude, supporting the basin. The few steps leading up to it were guarded at the four corners by couchant lions, who appeared to be facing to the principal points of the compass. An inscription on a table notified all who took the trouble to read it that the fountain had been presented to the public of this Colony by Mr. John Dent, in 1864.

It will probably be recalled that on the occasion of the visit by H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester in 1929 there was talk of this old fountain being made to fount just for the period that he would be in its vicinity, but there was an outcry against the idea (apparently an official plan) owing to the serious drought from which the Colony was then suffering, and the idea was abandoned.

*   *   *

What memories did the old fountain retain for residents? How many fair ladies and gallant men must have paused there, returning from opera or ball, perhaps admiring the play of moonlight on its delicate spray. How many revellers, in the early hours of the morning after the night before of some annual national celebration may have found the waters delightfully refreshing or the steps a convenient place to rest a while! It is well to remember that on that spot, where in the months to come will appear in the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation's new head office, once stood the Colony's own fountain.

*   *   *

With the demolition work on the City Hall site it has also been found necessary to cut down the two trees that stood there. These were fine specimens of the red-flowered silk-cotton trees, the Gossampinus malabarica of the botanists. They were about as tall as the building itself, and evidently very old trees, probably planted about the time the fountain gave its sylvan tone to that spot. It is a pity to see the old trees gradually disappearing from the heart of the city. One recalls the several banyans that once flourished near the bottom of Wyndham Street, the old "Flower Street" which retained that name up to a few years ago; and there was also the big ban yan at the junction of Queen's Road and Ice House Street, at the bottom end of Battery Path, that was felled about eight years back, so as to give room for the growing motor traffic of the city to speed safely on its way. 

*   *   *

I take the following from the current number of The Critic:

Apart from our local archaeologists, few residents may be aware that two pagodas still exist in the New Territories. They are small and insignificant structures, compared with the lofty towers one sees dotted all over the landscape of China proper, yet on account of their rarity they deserve to be better known. The first, a tiny affair of only two storeys, is situated at Pokfulam opposite the Dairy Farm's premises and stands among the styles and vegetable gardens close to the reservoir. It is obviously of ancient lineage and is in a bad state of repair, though its history is shrouded in mystery. As far as is known, the district around Pokfulam has always been inhabited by fisher-folk and there are no records of important personages, such as usually erect pagodas to perpetuate their names, having lived in the vicinity. The other pagoda, which is far more picturesque and boasts four storeys, lies close to a little village between Un-Loong and Fanling, not far from Lok-Ma Chau. It may be seen from the roadside, although it is partly hidden by trees, and access to it is difficult and entails crossing the muddy ricefields. As far as is known, it was built by a magistrate several hundred years ago and was once used as a beacon tower to warn the inhabitants of neighbouring villages of the approach of marauding bandits. Both these pagodas deserve to be classified as ancient monuments and we think that some effort should be made to preserve them. There is, unfortunately, no archaeological society in the Colony to save historic buildings from decay, but there must be several residents who are keen on preserving the architectural as well as the natural beauties of the New Territories and we suggest that they should make some effort to restore these pagodas or at least to save them from the fate of other pagodas in the Colony, which were long ago destroyed by villagers who used the bricks for building pig-styes and other farm buildings. 

sources of research on 造洋飯書

Miss Leslie's New Cookery Book 1857 very very important 

Roberts_China to Chinatown - Chinese Food in the West_English-Chinese Cookery Book 造洋飯書

晚清白話文與啟蒙讀物 By 夏曉虹　西法食譜 造洋飯書
夏曉虹：〈晚清的西餐食譜及其文化意涵〉，《學術研究》，2008 年第 1 期，頁138-146。

造洋飯書 逯耀東

西餐與漢語翻譯———關於 《造洋飯書》

東亞細亞言語接觸之研究　沈國威　內田慶市　造洋飯書

影響中國近代社會的一百種譯作 造洋飯書

Miss Parloa's new cook book and marketing guide (1880)

《造洋飯書》的版本身世與文化效應 西法食譜

NCH, 23 May, 1898, p. 882.
The Oriental Cook Book: A Guide to Marketing and Cooking: in English and Chinese. Second Edition. Large 8vo., 288 pp. Shanghai: Kelly & Walsh, Ld. 1898.
We learn from the publishers' preface that this invaluable work has been out of print for nearly two years, and Messrs. Kelly and Walsh, Ld., will undoubtedly earn the gratitude of hundreds of housewives by sending out a second edition of it. It comes in a handsome dress of yellow and black, and is very well and clearly printed. The recipes it contains have stood the test of years, and if any Chinese cook cannot understand them, it is not the falt of the translator, but of the cook's ignorance. No lady who keeps house in China can afford to be without this book, which has been a guide, philosopher, and friend to hundreds, and will continue its services to thousands more.

The Chinese Recorder and Missionary Journal, June, 1898, p. 297.
The Oriental Cook Book and Guide to Marketing and Cooking, in English and Chinese. Second Edition, Large octavo, 288 pages. Kelly and Walsh, Ltd., Shanghai, 1898.
There was quite a demand for this book in its first edition, and we have no doubt there will be an increasing demand for it in its present improved appearance. It is such a receipt book as any housewife might be glad of, even if she had no occasion to use the Chinese. But in China it will come as a special boon to many a lady who ponders over some nice dish which she would like to tell her cook to make, but despairs of ever being able to tell him about the ingredients, proportions, etc. Here is everything thought out, translated and arranged, with valuable index, and the good wife has only to look up the desired information and point it out to her Chinese cook, and behold, it is done - provided the cook can read and has the requisite ability. 


NCDN, 22 November, 1910, p. 7.
A useful little book entitled "Preston's Complete English and Chinese Cook Book" is published by the China Printing Company. It should prove of no small assistance to all households where good plain cooking is aimed at, with the maximum of confidence in the prospects of the Chinese cook conforming with European ideas of cleanliness. The recipes are numerous and varied, lucidly written and catering for "moderate" purses. They are published in English and Chinese. not the least attractive feature in the small book, however, is the salutary advice to the native cook with which it is prefaced. The "rules for cleanliness" display a very thorough intuition into the ingenuity of the Chinese in misusing kitchen articles and in doing what they ought not to do. The book is certainly to be recommended both to those who occasionally visit their kitchens and to the cooks who are permanently there. It can be obtained for $1.50.


The Anglo-Chinese Cook Book, compiled and edited by Mrs. R. Calder-Marshall and Mrs. P. L. Bryant (Shanghai: Printed at the Commercial Press, Ltd., 1916). English and Chinese Illustrated. Vol. 1 - English.  英華烹飪學全書 1916

Preface
While the question of food and its preparation is the most vital and important one in the home, it is perhaps the most difficult of all the material questions that present themselves to the housekeepers in China, owing principally to the inability of the majority to speak the language of the country, and to make their orders intelligible to the cook. To meet this difficulty, and at the same time with the hope of being able from its sale to aid the war fund, Mrs. Calder-Marshall originally planned to publish a smaller work, giving a limited number of recipes taken from authoritative sources, and to have it translated into Chinese. It soon became apparent to her, however, that for such a book to have a real value, a more comprehensive work, one that should cover as nearly as possible all the phases of cooking, would be necessary. The scope of the work, therefore, was enlarged until it now includes more than one thousand recipes. Many tried and approved recipes have been furnished by ladies in Shanghai and elsewhere, the largest contribution of this kind, and one that deserves special mention is that of Mrs. J. B. Fearn, M.D., who has prepared the entire chapter relating to sweets and candies, and has sent other valuable recipes as well. The editors and compilers have also made use of The Century Cook Book, Mrs. Beeton's Cook Book and The Boston Cooking School Magazine, all well known authorities on culinary matters.

NCDN, 16 March, 1916, p. 10.
Owing to unexpected delays in printing the English and Chinese cookery receipt books edited by Mrs. Calder Marshall, which were to have been ready early this month, are still kept back. The English copy should be ready this week, but the Chinese volume cannot appear for a little longer. The least possible delay will be allowed in issuing these useful works by which both housekeepers and war funds stand to benefit.

South China Morning Post, Sep 12, 1916, p. 2; Sep 14, 1916, p. 1.
For the War Funds.
The Anglo-Chinese Cook Book in 2 volumes (One English and one Chinese)
The entire nett proceeds of the sale of these books will be given to the various War Funds during the continuation of the War and thereafter to local charities.
Price for the 2 volumes (English & Chinese) $6.
Brewer & Co., Hongkong Hotel Building, Des Vœux Road.

SCMP, 6 Oct, 1927, p. 1.
You want cookery books? We have them
Mrs. Beeton's Cookery
Mrs. Beeton's Family Cookery
Mrs. Beeton's Household Cookery
Practical French Cookery - Collette
Boston Cook Book - Farmer
The Queen of Cooks - Mary Lawton
Candy Cook Book
Brewer & Co. 10, Pedder Street

SCMP, 21 Apr, 1928, p. 1.
The Boston Cook Book
Avoid gastric troubles by superintending the cooking of your food. Mrs. Farmer's The Boston Cook Book is admirably suited for people who are anxious to do their own cooking or take an intelligent interest in the efforts of their cooks.
On sale at Brewer & Co. 10, Pedder Street. Opposite Hongkong Hotel.