Page:Twentieth Century Impressions of Hongkong, Shanghai, and other Treaty Ports of China.djvu/228

220 shipping in the harbour has been Messrs. Blackhead's large hulk, bearing an advertisement of the famous "Red Hand Brand" of composition for the bottoms of iron ships, for which the firm has the sole agency in the Colony. The only European sail-making business in Hongkong, also, is conducted by Messrs. Blackhead &amp; Co. Even this does not exhaust the list of their industries, for at Shaukiwan they have established a large soap and soda factory, details of which are given in the section of this work devoted to industries.

The present partners in the firm are Messrs. F. Schwarzkopf, son of the founder, and F. Hoehnke. They have branches at Neishiem, Tsingtau, and Tsinanfu, where the business is carried on under the style of F. Schwarzkopf &amp; Co.





was in 1868 that Mr. Kruse, a shrewd man of business, laid the foundation of the extensive import trade in tobacco, cigars, and fancy goods now carried on under the style of Kruse &amp; Co. by Messrs. C. W. Longuet and J. Meier. Mr. Kruse died in 1874, and many changes of partnership followed, but the business has prospered, and to-day the firm is the leading house of its kind in the Colony, with a carefully guarded reputation for supplying only the best class of goods. Messrs. Kruse &amp; Co. are agents for Messrs. Valfiadis &amp; Co.'s and Messrs. A. G. Cousis &amp; Co.'s Egyptian cigarettes; they are the sole importers of the "Imperia del Mundo" Manila cigars; they import the special brand known as "El Oriente" direct from the factory; and they are the only firm shipping cigars direct from Havana in wholesale quantities to Hongkong. They deal both with the Tobacco Trust and with independent companies, and are thus able to meet the requirements of all customers. Smokers' requisites of every kind are stocked in abundance. The house has taken the lead in other directions, too, for it is the only one importing continental fancy goods, including china, table and wall ornaments, fancy baskets, glass vases, and ware of special design, &amp;c. Other lines comprise electro-plate, toys, picture postcards (which latter the firm were the first to introduce into the Colony), and the well-known "Divinice" brand of perfume, distilled by Messrs. Wolff &amp; Sohn. The firm also deal largely in incandescent gas fittings, and were the first local agents for the "Welsbach" burners now in general use. This does not by any means exhaust the list of agencies held by the firm—for they represent the "Columbia" Cycle Company, the German newspaper, Oslasiatische Lloyd, and numerous smaller interests—but enough has been said to show the extent and diversity of the trade carried on by them. The proprietors visit Europe in turn, one buying goods in Hamburg whilst the other is supervising the business in Hongkong.





firm of A. S. Watson &amp; Co., Ltd., chemists, druggists, aerated water manufacturers, &amp;c., is one of the largest business concerns in the Far East, consisting, as it does, of thirteen European shops and upwards of forty Chinese branches, giving employment to fifty Europeans and five hundred Chinese. Its origin dates back to the cession of Hongkong to the British, when a naval surgeon opened what became known as the Hongkong Dispensary for the use, principally, of sailors and soldiers. In the fifties, new premises were opened in Queen's Road, the concern having by that time passed into the hands of Mr. A. S. Watson. The business—still only that of a chemist and druggist—was sold in 1870 to a Mr. Bell, who, in turn, made it over to Mr. Hunt and Mr. John D. Humphreys. The latter gentleman afterwards became the sole proprietor, and in 1876 the first step was taken in the direction of expansion by the establishment of a small aerated water factory. Branches were opened in various districts, and the Chinese name of the firm, the Tai-yeuk-fong, became known all over China. In 1886 the concern was floated as a limited liability company, with a capital of nearly four lakhs of dollars. Mr. John D. Humphreys ceased to be general manager in 1896, and his firm of John D. Humphreys &amp; Son became general managers. The capital was raised to $600,000 in 1890, and was further increased in 1904 to $900,000. The present partners in John D. Humphreys &amp; Son are Messrs. Henry Humphreys, J. A. Jupp, and E. E. Humphreys.

The chief offices and premises of the firm are in Alexandra Buildings, one of the largest and most imposing blocks in the Colony, built upon the most approved modern lines. In the immediate vicinity are the Company's warehouses and soda water factory.





firm of general drapers, furnishers, dressmakers, and milliners, was founded in 1884 by Mr. William Powell, who started in business for himself after having been for some years in the employment of the firm of Sayle &amp; Co. It was converted into a limited liability company in 1901, with a capital of $120,000, which was increased in 1905, to $150,000, when the business was greatly extended. The firm undertake the supply of everything for ladies', children's, and gentlemen's wear, and of house, ship, and hotel furnishing. At their furniture workshop at Wanchai a large staff of workmen is employed under the supervision of experienced London cabinet-makers. The principal establishment of the firm is situated in Alexandra Buildings. There is also a special outfitting department for gentlemen in Queen's Road Central.





's commercial connection with Canton dates back to the early days of business with the Kwangtung Province. Their headquarters were formerly in that city, and although the proprietors finding of late years that Hongkong is the more convenient place for conducting their trade, have carried on business at No. 6, Ice House Street, the firm's name of Hing-sing is still one of the best known among the European hongs on the Shameen. Goods are imported from Europe, America, and Australia, and an important export trade is done in Chinese commodities. In Canton the firm are agents for the Austrian Lloyd Steamship Company, several local steamship lines, the Netherlands Lloyd Insurance Company, &amp;c. The head of the business is Mr. F. A. Wendt.





, a statue to whom has been erected at his birthplace, Chatham, and whose bust has stood for many years at the entrance to the Suez Canal, may be considered as the pioneer of the overland route to the East. Always of an adventurous disposition, the turning point in his career