Current condition
Demolished / No longer exists
On Lok luen, at the corner of Queen's Road, and D'Aguilar Street, was formerly occupied by the Hongkong Dispensary, which ran right through to Stanley Street.- The corner of Stanley and D'aguilar Streets portion was the aerated water factory, and the staff lived upstairs.
The tall building in Stanley Street to the westward, was erected by Watson's for the wholesale and manufacturing department
Source: Old Hong Kong by Colonial Vol 1
Photos that show this Place
1875
1875
c.1890
Comments
“THE Hongkong Dispensary is
“THE Hongkong Dispensary is probably one of the best known business establishments in the East, more particularly as regards its aerated waters. The familiar label is found in Burmah, India, and the Straits; in every port of China and all along the coast of Australia, right down to Melbourne, the one brew of soda is “Watson’s” and so great has been the pressure on the firm’s resources that an additional factory has had to be established in Hongkong. The branch is situated in a lane off No. 8, Queen’s Road Central, and will well repay a visit. Most lanes in Hongkong are things to be avoided, but this one will fairly surprise the visitors by its cleanliness. Mr. N.K. Davidson, who has charge of the branch, is a stickler for order and not the slightest trace of “matter out of place” is to be found about his show. The branch is a big and airy chamber, floored with concrete and well drained, special attention being paid to the carrying off of surplus water. The machinery which is driven by a steam engine of 6 h.p. works almost noiselessly (except when a bottle bursts). There are two or three enormous tanks built in, from which all the water used is filtered and the whole of the steel and copper work of the various machines is kept in real man-of-war ship style. The waters have a habit of “going off” when being bottled and the employs in charge wears a wire fencing mask and leather gloves. The symps from which gingerade, sarsaparilla, raspberryade and other delectable drinks are made are stored in huge earthenware jars and quite an army of coolies is kept busily employed wiring and labelling the bottles. There is a bottle-washing machine, which is well worth seeing and every appliance in the factory is of the most modern type. A visit to the place will be interesting to anyone, and the fine order and cleanly condition in which the factory and its approaches are kept reflect all credit on Mr. Davidson. Were many other lanes in Hongkong kept in the same condition our plague returns would show a very marked diminution.”
Source: The Hong Kong Telegraph, page 2, 20th April 1898
Re: Hong Kong Dispensary
In a fire outbreak in Messrs. A. S. Watson Co's store (and probably godown) on Stanley Street on 19 May 1890, mention is also made of the "large new premises of the Hong Kong Dispensary now in course of erection" to the east of the fire. See Hong Kong Telegraph 20 May May 1890 here