Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1922-01-11

sampans and numerous launches Of
the harbor.
For nearly five miles the water front
Is an unbroken quay which the dwell
ers Of Hong Kong. borrowing the
name from the famous quay OF the
Portuguese at Macao. call the Praya.
Great ocean liners can dock directly
beside this quay or at one Of the many
wharyes which extend outward from
IL. Back from the sea wall a broad
road extends along the entire water
frcnt Of Hong Kong. and facing the
harbOr across It are public buildings.
business houses and some Of the great
warehouses which proclaim Hong
Kong's chief activity-the distribu-
ton OF merchandise 10 and from
southeastern Aisle. Many OF the
structures are faced story upon story
by the arched external galleries or
loggias. like our pOrches. that have
become Characteristic OF British archi-
lecture In this seml-tropical island.
But looking at Hong Kong from a
ship In the harbOr. the newcomer gives
only scant attention 20 the water front.
interesting as its appearance and &c
tivItIes are. For Victoria Is a city OF
terraces; the whole city is spread out
before him as though Il were a map
upon the wall. His eyes are newt
ably led upward 20 row upon row OF
buildings cllnging TO the sides OF a
great hin. past patches Of bare rock
and forest, 20 dwellings perched near
the crest Of the ridge. To the right, at
the very peak OF the island. rise the
wireless towers OF one Of Great Bril-
tain's most important radio stations.
Climbing Up The Peak"
Suburban conditions are not reached
In Hong Kong by moving outward as
In most thlckly settled communities,
but by moving upward On the level
area OF the middle portion Of the town
near the water front-much OF which,
incidentally, has been reclaimed from
the harbor-are the banks and count
ing houses. the business structures
and warehouses OF the merchants and
shippers. To the east and west chin
ese merchants hold sway. This level
mercantile region Of Victoria extends
only a few blocks from the haroors
edge. Back OF II rise steeply the lower
stones OF -the Peak" against whose
green sides the light buildings Of the
residential section Of the city stand
out boldly. Most OF Victoria's cross
streets surrender Internationally at
the foot Of the bin and are trans
formed into stair steps. A few as
though more determined 10 conquer
the heights. wind with many contor-
ttons. covering rods that they may
rise feet But parallel with the edge
~ the harbor the streets continue
each on a different level, Ike receding
shelves or the tiers Of seats OF huge
theater.
The first zone OF shelf-like streets
that rises above the mercantile lever
il yIctoria's chinatown" where I'VE
the greater part OF the closely packed
multitudes OF Chinese who have come
from the mainland to cast their lots
under the British flag.
-
The next level In Victoria's sociai
stratification is a closely built up sec
lion OF substantial houses occupied
bv British. Americans. Portuguese, ana
indeed by Representatives OF mos.
European nations and the United
states. Farther up the side OF tne
neak. above the closely built section
for westerners. are the residences OF
the more wealthy. set In spacious
grounds. half hidden In gardens.
Hong Kong Is In effect a colony OF
chinese ruled by the British But In
snlte 81 the fact that % per cent OF
the population is Chinese. people OF
many nations and creeds have made
Mace for themselves In this unique
community. Near the water front may
he found representatives OF almost
any nationality or race one likes.
from Portuguese TO Norwegian. ana
from south See islanders 10 African
And I'm spite OF this seeming stage set
ting for eternal furbulenee Hong hons
Is the most orderly city Of The East