Photo from the Stewart Lockhart Photographic Archive, held at the National Galleries of Scotland
(Credit line: The Stewart Lockhart Photographic Archive, on loan from George Watson’s College to the Scottish National Photography Collection)
[Original title: Water Famine]
The sign reads: Lee Kee & Co’s Wharf.
It is difficult to find the exact place where this wharf was located. It is mentioned in the Hong Kong Telegraph 1908-08-29 as well as in the Far Eastern Review 2/1919, but no location was given. However, I found an entry on the internet from 1919. Here the following is written:
|
Wharf |
Lease Details |
|---|---|
| Queen Victoria Street Wharf | Under long lease from Government to Li Shun Fan, at a premium of $25 and a monthly rent of #25; sublet to Song Lan Shang. Known to the Chinese as "Tai Trai Kiu" or Boycott Wharf. Now used for the night ferry boats of the ring, and for some launches running to Shek Ki. |
| Jubilee Street Wharf | Temporary lease from Government to the Tai Ian Co. at $75 a month. No premium. |
| Loung Wing Wharf (Hillier Street) | Permanent Lease to Li Yun Shing and Li Wing Kwong: premium $31,000 and rent $75 a month. |
| Morrison Street Wharf | Temporary lease to Lee Kee Co. at a rent of $110 monthly. |
| Lun Cheung: Marine Lot 53 | Permanent to Yau Shui Chi. Rent $25 per mensem[? Likely means: month]. Premium $6,000. |
This indicates that the location is the Western Market pier at Morrison Street / Connaught Road for ferries to Mong Kok & Sham Shui Po [????-c.1939]. David found that the (already existing) pier was resumed by the Government for ferry services in 1919. The pier was already in use in 1901.
The sign is almost illegible, here is an AI created version (please read the explanation/limitations added to the photo).
