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.
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