European House #30, Cheung Chau [????-????]

Submitted by David on
Current condition
Demolished / No longer exists

I believe this is the site of house #30 on the 1938 map.

Today there's the Cheung Chau meteorlogical station on this site. I think it's a newer building than house #30.

The 1938 map shows house #30 on an "Admiralty Lot", where the lot was marked out with boundary stones. It'd be interesting to see if any of those stones are left.

Later place(s) at this location
Cheung Chau Meteorological Station [????- ]

Photos that show this Place

1919 Government Map of Cheung Chau
1919
James Smith Jury Lists 1935,1936,1938 jury lists
1935
Cheung Chau panorama, 1938 owners
1930s
See more photos of this place

Comments

[Updated 08/Jun/2026]

In the 1938 list of European owners of houses on Cheung Chau, we are given the name 'Mr Smith' as the owner of #30.  Not very promising.

It has been quite a head-scratcher but by great good fortune we have a record in the Gwulo Jurors' List of 1938 of a Mr James Smith living at House 30, Cheung Chau, a shipping clerk with Bank Line Ltd.

This is recorded as his address in 1934 (below) 1935, 1936 and 1938 (Jury Lists).  

More info below.  It sounds like he may have owned it for a while, but it had sustained some damage, possibly typhoon damage from its elevated position.

"House No. 30 is now occupied by its owner. The ruin which stood there for many years is being replaced by a smart modern bungalow.

Mr. J. Smith, a former resident, has been welcomed back to the community." China Mail 14 November 1934 refers.