THE ISLAND OF HONG KONG

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20734, 18 February 1939, Page 21 (Supplement)

THE ISLAND OF HONG KONG

Hong Kong is Indeed a beaußTul Island with its hilly surroundings and flat virgin ground where vegetable gardens abound. Neat rows of vegetables are evidence of the Infinite euro and attention, not to mention the patience, bestowed by the Chinese upon their tasks. The neatness of the gardens, however, la in deep oontmAi to the buildings and houses which are made of some kind of thatch material and low and squalid In appearance. Among the workers are many women, who toil In the heat of the sun carrying large burdens. A picturesque touch is given by the curious hats worn hv many of the coolies, for they are enormous, often three or four feet wide, and looking like huge dishea turned inside down, each with a pumpkin in the middle. Leaving the garden* one passes three bays each of which Is a boating town made up of thousands of native boats, were the inhabitants may be seen very busy st various tasks or gossiping together. TLese strange water towns of China have their moored shops, inns and business establishments where trade nourishes as on the land. On the boats whole families, sometimes including several generations, have their homes, and spend their whole lives earning a living by fishing, trading about the harbour or coast, and undertaking transport work or any such employment as their peculiar situation permits. Turning from the shore the road passes through hilly country, rising to crust the ridges and dipping again into pleasant hava, such as Rebublic Ray. a fasCurite seaside resort for Hong Kong residents. Through the hills may he found innumerous concrete piles which conceal great cannons ready for Ihe defenoe of the island through invasion nr «t_ tack.