The colony launch takes visitors free to the Colony every Saturday, leaving Queen's Pier at 2 p.m.
The launch trip takes about an hour and a quarter to do the nine miles to the leper Colony. For three miles it goes parallel to Hong Kong Waterfront, with all the sampans and junks moored all along. In Kennedy Town the area becomes more industrial with wharves and warehouses. In the background is the peak and other high points. The R.A.F. Station of Little Saiwan ((see RAF Batty's Belvedere)) is on the top of one of these. At the end of the Island is Mount Davis where the Radar Station is ((see RAF Mount Davis)). The launch then passes between Hong Kong on the left and Stone Cutter's Island on the right. It then turns right and goes straight to Hay Ling Chau past other islands. Silvermine Bay on the island of Lantau is seen clearly and so is Ping Chau with its harbour of fishing vessels. Finally the boat ties up at the jetty of Hay Ling Chau & we are met by Dr. Frazer.
After going up some steps past some beautiful, tropical plants, ????, frangipani, palm, bamboo, etc., past a brightly coloured summer-house we reach the house for the Europeans. Here we drink tea & eat cookies before setting off to walk round the Colony.
The hospital is about a quarter of a mile distant round the side of the island. It is a rough road made by the patients with superb views of the sea, other islands and the vegetable garden of the colony below us. The hospital building is strongly built of grey stone. The swing doors have the emblem of mercy on them. Inside everything is very modern, with an autopsy room, operating theatre, etc., all white-tiled. There is no electricity so kerosene is used. In the children's ward we saw a child with very poor bluish coloured hands being taught to read by an elder qualified patient, also with claw-like fingers.
From the hospital we saw the living quarters of the patients who were not bed-ridden. These were also stone built and seemed the height of luxury to many patients. Each person was allowed to have their own possessions around them and it was noticeable that the men were tidier than the Women.
Then we saw the school, where people were making all kinds of craft work, including marquetry, tailoring and embroidery. Each young person is apprenticed to an older craftsman so that he can learn a trade.
When a patient is discharged he is given a job and his welfare is then transferred to be the responsibility of the Hong Kong Welfare Clinic. Apparently, many patients try to prolong their date of departure from Hay Ling Chau because they are so happy. The rehabilitation officer was a single English woman of about 40; a most kind and efficient person.
The chapel is open on one side. It was simply yet tastefully furnished. Plans are being drawn up to build a new one and also a new school.
The patients are free to walk about and organize their own spare time, with football, table tennis, etc.
The beautiful surroundings must do a great deal to restore the patients to complete health, both in body and mind. The dedicated service given to them to cure them of a once-dreaded disease can never be forgotten by any of them.