Chrysalis Fest 蝶蛹的世界

2nd Out Nov 13 am

This time there are three caterpillars on the lemon tree at the same time! One already turned into a chrysalis a couple of days ago. Last night the other two caterpillars were busy scanning the tree branches; for hours they went about and explored from a branch to the next, without stopping or eating. At some junctions, they extended their head into the air, appearing to be sniffing out something. When there was a particular branch they liked, they went away and back two or three times until they finally settled down on it in the middle of the dark night. This morning, both turned into the pre-pupa (chrysalis) stage by bending and tight-clinching the tree branch from their head and tail, with a thin silk thread clearly visible around their neck attaching to the tree. Next day or two it will turn 180 degrees with the head facing outward to become a chrysalis, hanging from the tree by the silk. Within another day or two, the chrysalis adopts a outer green coat, covering up the legs and under belly of its former self the carterpillar. In about a week, the outer coat will darken resembling the old and wrinkled tree bark before the butterfly breaks out. In this colder season, it takes longer for the butterfly to form and come out. The first one that came out was in the morning on 9 Nov, which took about 12 days; in addition, the outer shell did not change much colour even the day before, remaining greenish throughout the dozen days.

Transition from caterpillar to chrysalis

Green chrysalis

Nov 9 Butterfly Came Out!

香港仔墳場 Aberdeen Cemetery （2）

清誥授光祿大夫省三陳公：庚午年孟春榖旦（福建漳浦陳氏宅兆）。網上有：陳望曾(1853～1929, 字省三，號魯村，祖籍福建漳浦，後遷臺南。同治九年(1870)舉於鄉，同治十三年(1874)登進士，授內閣中書，先後署廣東雷州、韶州府知府。與施士洁、蕭逢源、汪春源、許南英並稱「臺南五進士」。乙未(1895)割臺，攜眷內渡。與板橋林家有姻親關係，林爾嘉《林菽莊先生詩稿》中有多首與陳望曾唱和之作，民國三年五月菽莊鐘社成立後，陳望曾亦參與其詩會活動，與施士洁、蕭逢源、汪春源、許南英五人，曾同住鼓浪嶼，一時有「五鳳齊飛入洞天」之譽 。光緒二十五年(1899)任廣東府知府。繼而奉委提調廣東海防兼善後總局。三十四年(1908)任廣東勸業道。嗣調署按察使、提學使，賞頭品頂戴。臺籍進士在中國內地仕宦者，以望曾最為顯達。積資數十萬。國民革命之際，秘助民黨。後隱居香港太平山，居上砲臺道1號適廬。
清誥授榮祿大夫亦豪譚公
清封一品大夫陳公雲繡：生咸豐三年癸丑九月十七日，往民國十九年庚午四月六日，名維？「源隆棧」(1927年: 69 Des Voux Road West)；1909/1910己酉年東華三院董事總理。

清授資政大夫光廷號寶臣羅公
清誥授資政大夫頌舉盧公：盧敬德堂（德賢），黃埔船塢華人經理，東華1922年主席，1923年太平紳士，海員大罷工調解人，「香海名山」牌坊倡建人之一，曾任保良局總理等公職
清贈資政大夫錦書周公：梁士詒題書
清誥授資政大夫字肇禎葉公
清誥封正二品夫人傅母李太夫人： 己巳1929年
清誥封淑人馮母黎太淑人墓: 龜座，雙象 、雙傭供奉，黎錦文長女，塟於香港「赤」桂山之陽
清授昭武都尉舜廷施公
清封中憲大夫百祥陳公 （名綽𡖖？），與明星陳百祥同名
清中憲大夫曉初李公：民國十六年
清中憲大夫立字仲卓李公
清晉授中憲大夫赦授文林郎應祺號禮南何公
清誥授朝議大夫、香港定例局議員周少岐：周永泰之子
朝議大夫書三招公
清誥授奉政大夫英山袁公：？-1917/1918，名金華，字樹申，殷商、華興隆出入口公司東主，1913/1914癸丑年東華三院主席；1913年華商會所副主席，同年與周少岐、劉鑄伯和何福四人為華人核數員第一任考試委員，1917年華商會所主席
清誥授奉政大夫蔭喬周公：民國十八年，周永泰之子

清誥授奉政大夫卓凡周公：周永泰之子

周錫年

周啟邦
清授奉政大夫梁瑞珊
清授奉政大夫福建試用知縣加四級資政院議員附貢生弼西岑公
清授奉政大夫同知銜熾珊呂公：民國七年 （呂慎思堂）
清授奉政大夫同知銜香港大學理學士區公灌歟
清授奉政大夫奕祥號瑞雲楊公
清授奉政大夫有韜張公（1866-?）: 名家振，號心湖，啟德創辦人之一。先祖張九齡後人宋末南遷廣東南雄，再遷香山鐵城石頭村，後分為附城、南屏和南蓢三支，南屏一支成為豪族。其父建詩公(1838-1893: 字以楷，號式軒)為南屏十七世，來港經商，成為香港和澳門富豪，與孫中山密切。同宗張霈霖(1828-1900)乃1857年裕盛辦館裕昇店麵包毒案東主，原為Murrow, Stephenson & Co. (Kwang-lee Hong) 買辦Comprador，1857年3月14日刊憲裕昇店Essing Shop 張亞霖Cheong Allum應是同一人。南屏二張乃其弟仲球和族姪玉濤。
有清奉政大夫俊臣關公
誥授奉政大夫汾梅余公
清封宜人鄧母曾太宜人暨嫡婦周宜人墓表：岑光樾譔書
清例授文林郎耀明黃公：黃永順堂，民國七年，與明星黃耀明同名

清國子監生磐若盧公

民國卅四年七月吉日同時入殯吳慶善堂：吳女子素絹、公子焯光、公子焯輝，吳門黃太夫人、溫太夫人；不知是否與聯軍轟炸日軍有關

南邑先友之墓：光緒廿年 （應是別處遷移此處）

東莞先友之墓：民國四年
葉靄山（生）：字遠昌，1884年保良局董事，1880年義益南北行，1884年謙隆豬欄；1895/1896保良局主席
民國四等嘉禾章 廣東淡水場知事 百全邱公，1938年
大中華民國賞授五等嘉禾章基鴻號冰壺伍公(十七年)
李安業堂李公亦梅：名鴻材, 李葆葵弟, 李陞姪, 著名紳商，任華商會主席、東華醫院1921年主席，二等嘉禾章香港太平局員，嗇色園創始人之一，1921年從廣州護送黃大仙至香港，「香海名山」牌坊倡建者之一
李公頌清：李葆葵子，李陞堂孫，BSc(Eng) 1924 HKU, 畢業生議會首任主席，日佔時期任赤柱區役所所長
明鏞李公：1938年黃埔16期？
福建海澄國華吳公秀生：1923年，華麗雕刻
民國處士和藹馮君
潘宰愚居士
游柳珠女史
劉鄭麗馨

區碧陵姑娘：生庚申四月初五，往庚辰臘月四日，約20週歲
華南留美大學生馮君子明（乙丑年，鄭昌堯題）
簫君少雲先生墓誌銘：清候選訓導南海優附生曹璇吉譔書
容淑澄號善真十一姑

彭姑娘寶珠
伍婉眉姑娘

蔡淑馨
香在梅(1909-1950): 泰盛紡織廠主持人之一
梁植棻
馬敘朝: 東華三院主席
許讓成(1894-1981): 孔聖堂會長，酒店家
李濟深題「碩士黃百始」墓。 黃公可能係泰國富商，泰國(時稱暹羅)中華總商會1929年新會址開幕委員會有此名。
羅裕積: 灣仔和昌大押等當舖東主，地產商，子九叔羅肇唐
傅翼鵬（1860-1936）: 傅秉常長伯父，創元利建築公司，包建大潭水塘
何炳垣：何香凝父親，大地產商，1909己酉年捐東華經費與李葆葵、容翼廷和郭少流等殷商各出100銀元。
張榮溥(1891-1981)：張心湖後人，廣東銀行上海老總
張榮毅：1954年聖公會聖雅各牧區首任議員。張榮岳首位華人副會督
張榮舉: 夫人陳儀貞協恩中學校長。張榮冕葛亮洪師範學院的院長，張榮隸香港名醫，張婉婷下嫁先施董事歐炳光，張婉侶嫁傅蔭釗，張婉笑室內設計師及收藏家（一笑草堂）。
雷家駿: 清末民國藝術教育家，著有《美術及音樂教學法》、《藝術教育學》等
霍芝庭(1877-1939): 比傅老榕更早的賭王
汪玉亭(1909-1971): 《天光報》和《成報》主編
利家鵬
陳伯衡（？－1965）：在中環開設大興和大華金鋪，名醫陳德廣（1922－1993）父親，黃霑遺孀Winnie陳惠敏的祖父，盧湘父（1868－1970）譔書。
四望亭，丙辰季冬，梁士詒。諧音「死亡停」。另題：適可亭。諧音「死可停」。有多少人真正體會到梁公的心意呢？
陳容，號鏡波
熊希齡(1870-1937): 1992年遷北京
廖俠懷(1903-1952)
伊秋水(1904-1955)
國榮懌禮顯仁佘公
馮紹鏞: 吳漢卿立

「小香港 」 “Little Hong Kong”

1857年5月香港殖民政府公布香港島的區域劃分：
1. Victoria: from stone quarries at West Point to Hoong-heong-loo (or East Point Joss-house). Subdistricts:  Sei-ying-poon (from small village Westward to Cowee-wan-Is end of Buildings, Sheong-wan (Police Boat Station to Gibb’s Wharf), Taiping Shan, Choong-wan, Ha-wan (Murray Barracks to Observation Point), Wongneichoong, Soo-koan-poo (Observation Point to Large Rock)
2. Show-ke-wan: from Hoong-heong-loo to the village of Ngo-yun-wan, taking in Wongkok-tsui, Chut-che-moey, Shui-cheang-wan, Showkewan, and Ngo-yun-wan
3. Sai Wan: village of that name
4. Sheak O: village of that name, including Hok-tsui village
5. Ty-tam Took: village of that name
6. Stanley: village of that name, including villages Ty-tam, Ka-sew-wan, Wong-ma-kok,
7. Heong-Kong: village of that name
8. Aberdeen: village of that name, including Aap-le-chow
9. Pok-foo-lum: village of that name.

很明顯是以人群聚集地和村落而劃分出來的。其中的「Heong-kong」是指「香港村」或者香港圍，即今日的黃竹坑的舊圍村一帶。1864年1月底的官立學校的報告中，「Heong-kong」已經改為「Little Hong Kong」，即「小香港」之義，和後來的「香港仔」是有分別的。從1857年到1864年之間，具體何時開始使用「Little Hong Kong」，不得而知。

南丫島古稱「舶獠」Lamma Island “Barbarians in Boats”

古時，海上來的外國人被稱為「海獠」，或者「舶獠」，有文章指是海上來中國通商的南蠻人，遠古已有，唐代最為興盛。不才認為「舶獠」和「海獠」應該主要指唐代時期來自中東地區、特別是大食，即現在伊朗及附近國家的商人。
文章又指，「海獠」赴廣州之前，通常停泊在南丫島，故此島古時被稱為「舶獠洲」。不才有不同看法，認為停泊在「舶獠洲」的海獠商船應該主要是繼續北上，目的地是中原的長安首都，而「舶獠洲」是從中東過馬六甲北上中國的第一站。如若上廣州為目的地，第一站應該是海南島、大嶼山或者澳門。當時的廣東沒有中原發達，海上和陸路絲綢之路的共同最終目的地都應該是長安。一部分「海獠」人可能會留下長期居住，史料有記載番禺有「蕃獠」人聚居，應是指上岸定居的「海獠」人。

Tea Used to Be Major Export 茶葉曾是重要出口物資

Tea used to be a major Chinese export to Europe and Americas, Tea Party and American Independence War started with tea taxes.  In 1843, April alone saw 17 vessels, or 11,270,449 lbs, of teas imported to the UK.  茶葉曾經是出口歐美的重要物品之一，1843年僅4月份一個月出口英國的茶葉就有17船次，共11,270,449英磅。敝人才疏，有些茶葉品種的名稱已經對不上現在的中文。

Bohea 武夷
Congou 功夫                              8,801,242
Caper                                               86,254
Souchong 小種                              213,011
Hangmuey 紅梅？                        148,682
Sorts                                                15,345
Pekoe 白毫                                    148,872
Orange Pekoe 橙黃白毫               162,093
Total Black 紅茶總數                9,569,499 lbs

Twankay 屯溪                            1,076,085
Hyson 熙春                                   311,434
Hyson Skin 熙春皮茶                      1,680
Young Hyson 雨前熙春               105,620
Gunpowder 珠茶                          137,707
Imperial                                          68,424
Total Greens 綠茶總數             1,700,950

Anger is a Consuming Fire 憤怒是自焚之火

The section on “Anger is a Consuming Fire” from the book “Freedom from Anger” by the venerable Alubomulle Sumanasara appears to be very relevant to today’s angry youths in Hong Kong.

Anger has many negative consequences.
...... anger leads to unhappiness. That is easy enough to understand; being angry doesn’t feel good. People are unhappy when they carry anger inside. When you’re free of anger, the opposite is true — your heart feels light and clear. It’s a wonderful feeling; it’s what we know as happiness.
Love is the energy of creation, of building and raising things, while anger is the negative energy of rejection and destructiveness. Where does anger begin? Within your own body, and it begins to destroy the body from the instant it’s born.
If your body were aflame, you would burn whatever you touched. But what would happen even before that? You would burn yourself. In this sense, anger is like fire, which has the power to destroy other things but starts by destroying its original source. You may want to set fire to a pile of trash, but it is the match that is consumed by the fire first. You may not want it to be destroyed, as matches can be useful, but it’s hopeless to think that it will set the trash alight without first catching flame itself.

Freedom from Anger: Ego 避開憤怒的自由：自我

The section on Ego from the book “Freedom from Anger” by the venerable Alubomulle Sumanasara is quite fitting to describing Trump.

Ego -> Ignorance -> Corruption -> Anger
People may hold ideas about themselves such as being a man, or young, or old, or someone’s boss, but none of these roles is really so important. So what if you are the president of a company?
Believing that the self is rigidly defined is the source of all the world’s problems. If people would only let go of these beliefs, the problems would vanish as well. Ego is nothing but an impediment to joy. It is an illusion.
In Buddhism, the most important thing is whether a person is doing the right thing, not whether they happen to be a housewife, a monk, or a CEO. The only question that matters is whether a person’s behaviour is right or wrong. If a young child happens to say the right thing, people should respect that, regardless of the age of the child or social conventions about whether children should speak up. Disregarding a child who speaks rightly is simply ignorant.
When thinking about the problem of anger, ego is the single most important concern. Once an ego has been formed, it tends to accumulate all kinds of garbage around it, making it ever more difficult to clear away. The ego gives rise to ignorance, and ignorance leads to corruption. And once corruption has set in, it can transform to anger when it is threatened.

英文「香港」實為「行港」Hong Kong meant Trade Port

不才前期以英文闡述了英文「香港」（”Hong Kong”) 中「Hong」相對應的中文字實為「行」。在1810年代以前，香港名稱的「香」字所對應的英文翻譯為「Heong」或者「Heung」，後來改為「Hong」，原因不得而知，歷史沒有留下記載。 最為可能的解釋是：前兩者在當時的英國人眼裡比較陌生，又和後者相似，而三者發音對英國人來說，差別不大。另外，英國人在此前的百多年來，已經習慣聽、說和寫「Hong」字；因為在口岸廣州的任何對華貿易一定要經過「公行」（”Cohong”)，「官行」(“quahong”)，還有至今依然被人們津津樂道的「十三行」。洋人在廣州的貿易機構被稱為「洋行」，而英國人自稱為「Factory」，現在可再翻譯為「工廠」，而當時的原意與「貿易」(“Commerce” 或者“Trade”)更為貼切。英國人有意或者無意，香港最後真的成為一個國際「行港」（”Trade Port”)。

鼠鯰烏賊

摘自《廣東新語》：

有鯰者，產於南海，每暴尾沙際以紿鼠，鼠見之，謂且失水，舐而將食之，被卷入水。有烏賊者，腹中有墨，吐之以自衛。嘗浮水上，烏見以為死矣，往啄之，被卷入水。二魚皆性黠，為鼠與烏之賊。然鼠與烏，以高而為下者所食，亦可以為貪而下求者之戒。或曰：烏賊魚相傳烏所化，烏所化而還食烏，故曰烏賊。烏不賊烏，化為魚乃以賊烏，魚樂而烏苦矣。

Seeking Answers 需求答案

1. Does a butterfly know that it once was a caterpillar? 蝴蝶知道自己曾是隻毛毛蟲嗎？

2. Why does it have to go through such an elaborate and complex process from butterfly egg to caterpillar, to chrysalis, and finally to butterfly? 蝴蝶為什麼一定要經過蝴蝶蛋到毛蟲、到蛹、再到蝴蝶這麼繁瑣和複雜的過程來傳宗接代呢？

夕陽下大嶼山 Sunset over Lantau

秋冬是觀看日落的好季節

10月4日 九月初六

The name of "Lantau" has nothing to do with it's current Chinese name, it is a translation of "Rugged Head" 「爛頭」several hundred years ago, most likely by the Portugese.

妓院與茶居酒樓 Brothels and Dining Houses

翻看香港歷史檔案與餐飲有關的書籍，發現一個有趣的現象：香港早期的茶居酒樓興起與妓院關聯密切。妓院又稱大寨和花國，舊時有稱勾欄院，極具想像空間。
香港殖民地開埠以來到廿世紀初，除灣仔和中環之外，大多數的妓院集中在當時女皇城（後改稱域多利、維多利亞）西邊，既現在的上環和水坑口一帶，原因至少有二：此處是英軍營地和海員宿舍及旅館的集中地，也是華人密集的居住區。廿世紀初（約1903-1905）殖民政府拓展西區，勒令妓院西遷至石塘咀一帶，很多茶居酒樓隨同妓院客流一起西遷，造就了塘西酒樓的興起；同時也導致很多原地名店執笠，如杏花樓、宴瓊林、壽而康、敘馨樓等。廿世紀卅年代初（約1932-1935），殖民政府迫於輿論壓力全面禁止妓院營運，很多風月區的酒樓結業，或者遷往金粉地以外的商貿和新人流聚集地，一改港島茶居酒樓業隨妓院不斷西遷的歷史宿命，成為不斷東遷和遍地開花的後來局勢。
上環大馬路近水坑口的杏花樓(1846-1930年)乃香港酒樓始祖, 由黃燕清祖父黃福祥(俗稱黃九)與同宗兄弟黃錦初創建，港府曾於此宴請李鴻章。杏花樓與後來的宴瓊林、敘馨樓和探花樓被尊為「四大」。其它早期著名酒家有西區的廣州和金陵，石塘咀的陶園和香江樓，中區的大同、金城和金龍，灣仔的英京、悅興和大三元。

光緒十九1893年，香港酒樓茶居寶號：
宴瓊林、敘馨樓
杏花樓、壽而康、品芳樓、杏讌樓、富南店、萬芳樓、月南館、日南館、奇珍樓、得雲居
茗香樓、得名居、正華館、富華館、元香館、雲來館、天香館、茗棧興、南來館、富隆館、月華館、富蘭館、冠芳樓、聚南樓、遂心樓、品陞樓、新和昌

光緒廿四1899年，香港茶居各行寶號：
日華、日南、得雲、富隆
得泉、天香、雲來、泉香、南來、月南、茗棧、怡紅、得名、富華、富香、龍珠、茗心、利南、泉珍、美南、冠香、月華
（注意：多家茶居店，如月南、日南、得雲、得名、富華、雲來、天香、茗棧、南來、富隆、月華，六年來繼續經營）

女皇大道近水坑口的宴瓊林、敘馨樓、杏花樓、壽而康據報於約1905年收檔。
廿世紀卅年左右塘西以外開設的酒家（茶居和酒樓混合型）在中環德輔道有大明星酒家、188號（大）金龍酒家、289號大榮華酒家等。金龍酒家原為約1925年開業的「怡園西菜館」，戰後一度改為「大金龍酒家」，1957年羅文錦在此款待英國防部長桑第斯，2013年有「金龍船」酒家，後易名陶源酒家。杜月笙女杜美如稱兒時（約1930年代末至1940年代初）鍾意食上海「金龍飯店」的魚翅湯跟什錦炒飯。

另有書指，「洞庭酒家」於1888年在石塘咀皇后大道西開業；名稱和時間都無從查考。

參考：
東華三院歷史檔案
《塘西金粉》
《百年香港中式飲食》

Transportation 海外殖民苦力

British rulers, sometimes, instead of hanging or other punishment, chose to transport convicts to other colonies as coolies to serve their prison sentences. On 20 December 1845 a report from Hong Kong Supreme Court:

Poo Apoo: stealing from a dwelling house, 15 years transportation

Kun Asam: larceny, 10 years transportation

Le Aung: stealing/breaking out prison, 15 years transportation

Chan Asan: house breaking/larceny, 15 years transportation

Cheok Aung: obtain money under false pretence, 12 months prison with hard labour

Ha Akoon: embazzel Queen’s Store, discharged

Chow Ayik: embazzel as servant, discharged

Lee Afook/Wong Atuk: robbery with violence, life

John D Ross: cutting with intent, 15 years

Low Fookshing: stabbing/murder, life

Boodeen: stabbing/murder, life

William Sherrot: abuse, acquitted

Thomas Wilson: sodomy. Guilty of assault only, 12 months prison

Loo Atuk: burglary/larceny, 15 years

Leong Atyee: murder, death

In 1880, it was reported that between 1866 and 1877 Police deported Chinese criminals from Hong Kong to Australia.
1880年有報導指，從1866到1877年警署把華裔罪犯從香港流放到澳大利亞。

幾年前, 遇上「領匯」The Link（現改名為「領展」Link REIT）CEO George Hongchoy 王國龍，感覺其英文姓氏不一般，詢問之。原來他的祖先約1870年代移居澳洲，海關誤把名字當成姓氏，從而延續至今。
早期刑罰又包括：鞭刑、罰錢、苦力監和示眾（定期）等

Aberdeen Pirate Den 香港仔海盜巢穴

During the early colonial years, pirates continued to be active on Hong Kong island, especially preferred attacking merchant ships near the narrow channels of the Green Islands, then retreating to nearby Aberdeen. On 26 March 1845, a report:

From information received by Mr. Fearon from the Chinese authorities at Cowloon, Mr. Lena, acting Harbour Master, went round to Shuckpai-wan (Aberdeen) between Thursday evening and Friday morning, and captured several boats with 18 men. The Cowloon mandarins were aware of their presence on this island, and offered to assist in the capture with two armed boats and a guide. Mr. Lena availed himself to the services thus tendered, and on reaching Aberdeen about daylight in the morning, the whole party were secured while asleep in their boats. They were armed with spears, guns, fire-pots, and other missiles used by them on their piratical expeditions; and on the return of the party, another boat of a suspicious appearance, the crew of which were acquainted with the prisoners, was found moored between Green Island and the Island of Hong Kong, they were also taken into custody.

Some Early Roads Built by Convicts 早期道路由犯人修建

In mid 1843, a circular road around Hong Kong island was proposed, which included Queen’s Road, Pokfulam Road, Island Road, and King’s Road.

On 11 January 1845, there was an interesting article on a road building incident:

A few days ago, a chain gang of convict coolies, were employed on the roads at some distance from the town, with the usual unarmed guard of Indians. The convicts thought the opportunity a favourable one for escape; they attacked the guards with shovels and pick-axes and obliged them to fly. On information being informed, a strong body of police were sent in pursuit of the convicts; but no farther trace could be found than, the irons which they had wrenched off their legs.  It is supposedly that, they crossed the hills to the other side of the Island, where their country-men, no doubt would aid them in escaping to the mainland.

文中所指的路段很有可能是西營盤附近的皇后大道西，而翻山越嶺到島的另一面最有可能是指香港仔。
另：約1842年10月開始實行宵禁

HK Land Price High from Beginning 香港殖民開始地就貴

Foreign Office on 3 January 1843, on behalf of the Earl of Aberdeen: Treaty signed between Pottinger and China’s Plenipotentiary (中國特使) is yet to be made public until the ratification by the Queen of England and Tsing Emperor.
Yet before the treaty was ratified, the Secretary Richard Woosnam declared on 13 April 1843 that Land Officer taking full control of land uses in Hong Kong, and effort being taken to make Hong Kong a self-supporting colony, proposal to construct a road making a complete circuit of the Island, in order to become a healthy/desirable place of residence for British subjects as well as a focus/centre of large commerce.
On 22 July 1843 H. Pottinger proclaimed the ratification of Nankin Treaty signed.
On 22 January 1844, first land auction was conducted with over 100 lots sold, all buyers were British, Parsi Indians, Europeans, or Americans, with Strachan and Jamsetjee purchasing the most.
On 17 February 1844, it is reported: “The necessity of raising a Revenue for the Colony is evident. The policy of making Victoria a free port, is also generally admitted. There appears that no other means by which Revenue can be derived, than the public lands, licences and other trifling resources.”  Ever since such an objective was articulated, land sale has become of major source of Hong Kong Revenue. As such, fewer lots were offered in future land auctions, even though the number of buyers, including Chinese merchants, kept growing. Some of these earlier sold land lots (about 116 total, some sold in 1841) were turned into buildings and/or sold in the secondary market.
On 10 July 1844 it was reported that “Chunam died at Canton last week; he was the first and so far, the only Chinese Merchant, who had purchased property and established a business in the colony. His death is ascribed to a cold caught some months ago, when his new house was yet damp and unfit to sleep in.”
On 9 July 1844 land sales again with only 12 inland lots plus 12 marine lots.
On 24 December 1844, land sale with 16 lots, two Chinese buyers, Chan Wan and Chung Sang.
On 16 June 1845, Parsee firms not remove to HK, 2 English firms abandoned HK in 3 months by confining operations to Canton, several firms established in the past 6 months have no offices in HK. "In face of these undesirable facts, pennywise rulers busy inventing new taxes and imposts. Betel and pawn to be taxed or made a strict monopoly, and yet we are told HK is a free port!! Property is to be assessed, though from the usurious ground rent paid to government, rent is already higher than in any colony we possess."
On 3 September 1845, building fell while being built.
On 6 September 1845, tax on sand stones 要收砂石稅
On 13 December 1845, 44 land lots were sold with Chinese as major buyers.
On 26 August 1848, comparison of Singapore vs HK. Singapore colony 29 years, HK 5; Singapore main revenue exercise duties, HK land rent; Singapore population 35k, HK 1/3.

早期政府主要收入：賣（租）地、郵局、法院、各種名目稅和壟斷費（如妓院、鴉片館、當舖、屠宰、採石等）等

Scots Good Drinkers 蘇格蘭人愛酒

In 1843 it was reported that annual consumption of alcohols:

England and Wales         11,511,907 gallons with 15,911,725 people

Scotland                           6,078,719 gallons with 2,628,257 people

Ireland                              6,515,781 gallons with 8,205,382 people

1843 Court Case 1843年案件

On 7 January 1843, Ho Auyee, a Barber, was charged by Sergt Kerr of 55 Regiment for selling Shamshoo (三燒）2 bottles/$1. Sentenced 40 strokes plus $10 fine and his house was pulled down.
(Reported 9 March 1843)

J.R. Morrison wrote in "A Chinese Commercial Guide" (1848 reprint), Samshoo means "thrice fired" or distilled.

1843 HK Prices 1843年香港價格

Hong Kong Market Place, per catty (otherwise noted):
Pork                                  11 cents
Beef                                  11
Fowls                                14
Ducks                                11
Geese                                 9
Wild ducks                        13
Teal, each                          14
Hen’s eggs, per dozen       7
Duck’s eggs, per dozen     8
Fish, large fresh                14
Salt fish                             8
Oysters                              6
Lobsters                             6
Shrimps                             7
Frogs                                 7
Oranges                             2
Pomelos                            3
Pears                                 4
Chestnuts                          9
Walnuts                             9
Almonds                           10
Dried Leichees                 15
White table rice                $1 dollar for 45 catty

On 15 January 1845, beef $12cents per catty, mutton 42, pork 13.5, pork fat 10, capons 16, fowls 13, large fresh fish 11, middle 9, lobsters 6, crabs 10, oysters 8, prawns 11, shrimps 9, fruit 3, veg 3, potatoes 5, yams 2, sugar candy 10, fine sugar 9, brown 5, fine rice 3.5, coarse 3, bread 10/lb, milk 25/quart bottle, butter fresh $1/lb.

1842 HK Prices 1842年香港價格

Building Materials：
Bricks                             $4-6 per 1000
Tiles for paving              $30 per 1000
Tiles for roofing/ridge    $14 per 1000
Chunam                          3.5 peculs for $1
Granite square 20x8 inches      $3.5 per 100
Coolies                           7 per diem for $1
Masons                           3 per diem for $1
Carpenters                      3 per diem for $1
Painters                           2 per diem for $1

Food:
Cow                                 $10 each
Samshu 三燒.                  2 bottles for 1 rupee
Brown pears                    $3 cents per catty
Yellow pears                    $2 cents per catty
Mangoes                          $2 cents per catty
Lichees                            $2 cents per catty
Water melons                  $1 cents per catty
Turnips                            $1 cents per catty
Carrots                            $4 cents per catty
Tomatoes                        $8 cents per catty
Fresh ginger root            $3 cents per catty
Egg plant                        $2 cents per catty

Chinese Contribution to India 中國對印度的貢獻

On 14 July 1842 an article in “Friends of China and Hong Kong” reported that it introduced Plough, Chung (ground drill) and Fung Kwai (Fanning Mill) to India, which were typical agricultural tools in China.
In addition, the British introduced tea plantation, and brought with them other skilled Chinese technicians to India, such as leather makers. Twenty years ago, I lived in India for several months and found many Chinese descendants still in Calcutta, whose ancestors came with the British in the 1800s. I bought some hand-made leather shoes and bags. The shoes were very comfortable to wear, soft and light.
China played a very important role in improving India’s agriculture and industries, but was rarely written about.

女皇城 Queen’s Town

英國殖民政府最早著重開發東起銅鑼灣、西至西營盤、並以現在中環為中心的 Queen’s Town（女皇城），1842年3月31日刊憲改為 Victoria（域多利），為英帝國在中國第一塊殖民地的首都。英殖民者自稱：更改名稱的目的是向華人實質宣示主權，打倒迷信、自傲和偏見的偉大勝利，改變無知之世界。Name of our Town: capital of first British settlement in China “Queen’s Town” to Victoria. Material ovation over the Chinese; glorious victory over superstition, pride and prejudice; move the world of ignorance.

另註: Queen在香港被翻譯為「皇后」，是錯誤的。

1842年香港華人人口 1842 Native HK Population

1842年3月24日發佈：Native Population

Queen’s Town               Shops            Souls

Boat population                                   2100

Labours                                               1366

Hawkers                                              600

Carpenters                      17                 566

No employments                                 500

Bricklayers                                          500

Prostitutes                       23                439

Chandlers                       67                 402

Masons                            1                  380

Opium sellers                 24                 131

Lime burners                                       120

Compradors                    8                   100

In the employments of Europeans       200

Total                                                     8181

Chekchu                                               3000

Wong-neichung                                    200

Heongkong                                           300

Shek pei wan                                        200

Soo koon poo                                       80

In the different hamlets                        400

Grand total                                           12361

妓院和福壽店（大煙店）是殖民政府好長時期的重要收入來源。

1841年香港人口 HK Population in 1841

《中國叢報》(Chinese Repository) 1841年香港人口普查：其中的「香港」很有可能是當時的石排灣，其後期文章有指出當時的簡單普查很有可能遺漏了「香港村」，既黃竹坑舊圍村
Chek-Chu 赤柱                       large town                                        2000
Heongkong 香港                     large fishing village                           200
Wongneichung 黃泥涌           agricultural village                              300
Kungtam 公岩                         stone quarry, poor village                  200
Shek-lap 石凹                          stone quarry                                      150
Soo-ke-wan 掃箕灣                 stone quarry, large village               1200
Tai-shek-ha 大石下                  stone quarry, hamlet                           20
Kwan-tai-loo 群大路               fishing village                                       50
Soo-koon-poo 掃竿浦              hamlet                                                10
Hung-heung-loo 紅香爐          hamlet                                                 50
Sai-wan 柴灣                           hamlet                                                 30
Tai long 大浪                           fishing hamlet                                      5
Too-the-wan 土地灣                stone quarry, hamlet                          60
Tai-tam                                     hamlet                                                20
Soo-koo wan索鼓灣                hamlet                                                30
Shek-tong-chuy 石塘咀          stone quarry, hamlet                           25
Chun-hum 春坎                      deserted fishing hamlet                        0
Tsuen-suy-wan 淺水灣           deserted fishing hamlet                        0
Sum-suy-wan 深水灣             deserted fishing hamlet                        0
Shek-pae 石牌                         deserted fishing hamlet                        0
                                                                                                         4350
In the bazaar                                                                                       800
In the boats                                                                                       2000
Labourers from Kowlung                                                                   300
                                                                                                          7450

後注：

說明在英軍宣稱佔領香港島之前，此所謂的「無人荒島」已有近8,000名居民，並且其中至少超過一半是長期居民！

煲顛茶 Pottinger

第一任正式港督砵甸乍 (Henry Pottinger) 是一個有爭議的人物，與當時香港商界的關係極差，在1844年8月24日報導新港督到任的文章同時指出商界已經對其失去了信心（”Davis landed at HK to replace H. Pottinger. Cloud off Pottinger: office to mercantile community, lost their confidence”)。同年9月7日又有文章抱怨他的獨裁（”6th Of Sir Henry Pottinger’s Immortal Ordinances”）。砵甸乍早期職務為大英國欽差大臣總管事務，負責與清廷政府的談判和所有關於中國的事務。早期雜誌《Friends of China and Hong Kong Gazette》在1842年的英、中雙語告示顯示砵甸乍當時的中文翻譯名稱為「煲顛茶」，而不是砵甸乍！明顯反映對其人所為的不滿，此傑作很有可能出於馬儒翰之手。馬儒翰的英文名稱是 John Robert Morrison，繼承其父親衣缽，年輕氣盛，善於玩弄小手段，欺騙清廷霸取香港整島而非儘一港口，很有可能也是他的傑作。馬儒翰通曉漢語和廣東話，是英軍官員早期與華事務的重要華文翻譯和負責香港早期華人事務的重要殖民官員，但英年早逝，銅鑼灣的摩理臣地名與其姓氏有關。

USD/Euro Trade

9/7 buy euro @1.0946 fixing on 9/13, not hit/got interest
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10/4 buy @1.0898 fixing on 10/11

「香港」與「香山」名稱的衍承

不才早前幾篇拙文闡述「香港」的名稱和鴨脷洲的「玉桂山」密不可分，而「玉桂山」和「香港」兩名稱又與中山的「五桂山」同中山的原名「香山」一脈相承。
「香山」一名由來古遠，本為一座島，北宋《太平寰宇記》有記載晉代裴淵《廣州記》中稱：「香山在縣隔海三百哩地多神仙花卉故曰香山」。香山在秦漢時期屬於南海郡，三國時為吳國領地，西晉末年「八王之亂」，中原人口大量移居嶺南，部分落戶香山島上。東晉咸和六年（公元331）南海郡分出東官郡。南北朝劉宋永初元年（公元420）東官郡改名東莞。隋開皇十年（公元590），香山歸為寶安縣，到唐至德二年（公元757），寶安縣更名東莞。南宋末年端宗曾躲避香山，又一波中原權貴文人南遷至此。明代時香山島北部淤泥成陸，與大陸連在一起，萬曆元年（公元1573）以東莞守御千戶所編戶五十六里立新安縣。

端宗不久再從香山南逃至大嶼山梅窩（或者新界西，有爭議），不久病死。南宋幼帝昺繼位，翌年在崖山海域戰敗，全軍覆沒後跳海殉難於香港西部海域。可以想像，其部分隨行主要來自江浙一帶的官民為逃避蒙軍的追捕，沿海向東南撤退，有些人暫時避難落腳相對隱蔽的香港仔，見其環境類似香山而雅稱鴨脷洲為玉（五）桂山，即香山，其附近航道碼頭為「香港」。周壽臣祖先（與周潤發同族）定居香港仔，1792年偶遇並提供木材幫助避颱風到此的美國船長修船。美國船長對香港仔的航道特別有興趣，返澳門大修後歸美前再次造訪香港仔，將「香港」一名賦予整個香港島，並詳細介紹給資助他的英國商人暨東印度公司孟買海軍間諜，從而「香港」一名出現並定型於英帝國的航海指南和地圖中。

2021年4月10日 廣東順德「容桂街道」介紹指其名字「桂」源於「桂洲鎮」：南宋末年，南雄珠磯巷人逃難至扶寧岡定居，因岡上有三株較大的桂花樹，故改稱為桂花洲，後來簡稱為「桂洲」，而其處陳姓據傳來自浙江寧波。「香港」和「香洲」及其源頭「玉（五）桂山」名稱之間的關聯和演變，很可能同出一轍。