First met this photo on a Chinese retrospective publication 'A Century of Commerce' (c.1941 Jan.), titled like above.
The caption put on MMIS is rather specific :
Robinson Road, looking east from a point about 220 yards west of its junction with Peak Road (#)
Please refer to the original image here. (B&W, 18 x 13 cm; c. 1936-1937)
It is attributed to the Information Services Department and appears this single one taken somehow has been available to the public then.
This photo shows a leisurely tranquility then and there in this enclave pre-WWII, which is hard to imagine in the same place today with buzzy traffic ongoing. At least three classic lamp posts could be seen.
If as above description, are the paths overlooked in this photo some part of the Botanic Gardens ?
Readers' input and sharing are most welcome to enrich the context.
(#) think it is the Old Peak Road now
Comments
Re: Photo
I have seen the above photo a couple of times. The main road in the foreground is Robinson Road but I think one is looking down at Glenealy Ravine and the paths below. The 1949 aerial photo at: https://www.hkmaps.hk/viewer.html may be able to confirm.
Glenealy
Yes, Glenealy ravine, the 1949 aerial images show the same switchback.
more specifics of the location
The 1949 aerial photo also depicts similar shape of path at this turn of Robinson Road.
A photo taken by Claude Berruyer (a French military machinist on Lamotte-Piquet) in c.1938 shows the same place and more towards to the east is covered. (link)
At the begin of the path, some bridge like embankment is quite noticeable on its left side, a continuation of the section on the upper road bend.
Glenealy Bridge and West of IL 645 were mentioned together in the Gazette, so it likely corresponds to this same location approximately.
So possibly some masonry 'Bridge' is close to this location before. (update : as above FB page cites in Chinese, the road section with stone railings is a 'bridge', built in 1907. Tbc)
If there has been no change in this Lot No. convention, opposite side of the turn is 3 Robinson Road today.
Please correct me if I mistake any info.
sources
notifications on Hong Kong Gazette, 1866
The Land Registry
1946 Robinson Road and Glenealy Ravine
I think the presence of a steep nullah (watercourse) that runs down the ravine on the left will require that section of the the path to be elevated.