HONGKONG ICE COMPANY, LTD.
In the opening days of Hongkong's history as a British Colony, ice was imported from the North and stored. Later on, the Tudor Ice Company imported ice from America, a sailng ship arriving annually with the Colony's supply, and many old residents can remember the ice ship lying moored close to the foot of Ice House Lane, and the ice blocks being stored in the present Ice Depot, which gives its name to the street on either side of Queen's Road. The only year in which the ice ship failed to put in an appearance was during the American Civil War, when it was captured and burned by one of the Confederate cruisers. The importation of American ice continued until 1874, when two young Scotchmen, Messrs. Kyle & Bain, erected one of Dr. Kirk's damp-air machines, which proved so complete a success that the Tudor Company were compelled to withdraw. Later, another of Kirk's air machines was erected. In 1879, Messrs. Kyle & Bain sold their property to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., who formed the business into a limited company with a capital of $125,000, and now act as general managers. The original machines and also some later machines have long given place to three ammonia compression machines, while the ice-making tanks have been quadrupled within the past twenty years. The ice is made on the plate system, and nothing but pure, hard, transparent crystal ice is sold by the Company, which is believed to be the only company in Asia producing this quality of ice. For local consumption the ice is carted to the town depot, but to shipping it is sent direct by boat, the works at Causeway Bay being most convenient to the harbour. In 1900 the Company extended their business by building a range of insulated cold stores, now of a capacity of 50.000 cubic feet. These have added revenue to the Company, and are largely taken advantage of for storing meat, butter, &c., from Australia, and game from the North, as well as local produce. The British naval and military forces at Hongkong are now principally supplied with Australian frozen meat from these stores. In 1884, the Company purchased from the Government the property in town known as the Ice House. A portion of the ground- fioor is used as office and ice depot, the remainder being let on lease to suitable tenants. The Company has had a remarkably successful career, the capital remaining at $125,000 — the renewals, extensions, and new land and property acquired since the formation of the Company having all been paid for out of profits made during the intervening years. Mr. WM. Parlane. who is still with the Company, has been manager during the past twenty-four years.
(Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., Ltd., General Managers.).
THE JUNK BAY FLOUR MILLS.
One of the largest and most important industries, not only in Hongkong but through- out the East, is that carried on at the Junk Bay Flour Mills by the Hongkong Milling Company, under the management of Messrs. A. H. Rennie & Co. The story of the establishment of the mills is an interesting chapter in the development of the Colony. The scheme had its origin in the mind of Mr. A. H. Rennie, who, as agent for an important American milling company, was for many years the leading man in the flour business in the East. Grasping the fact that, with the spread of Western ideas in China, the demand for flour must increase tremendously, Mr. Rennie perceived the immense possibilities underlying the establishment of such a concern in the Colony. The necessary capital ($ 1.000,000) was privately subscribed, several of the most prominent business men in Hongkong, including Sir Paul Chater, K.C.M.G., and Mr. H. N. Mody, taking a large share in the venture. With untiring energy Mr. Rennie personally superintended every detail of the erection of the magnificent pile of buildings and the installation of the intricate and scientific plant, which make up the mills to-day. Many ingenious devices in the equipment of the mills for the saving of time and labour bear striking testimony to the fertility of Mr. Rennie's invention.
The Company having acquired some 435 acres of land on the shores of Junk Bay, with a sea frontage of 2½ miles, Mr. Rennie turned the first sod in May, 1905, and the work was pushed forward with such rapidity, in the face of many difficulties, that in January, 1907, the mills were ready for forma! opening by the Hon. Mr. F. H. May, C.M.G., at that time the officer administering the govern- ment. The magnitude of the enterprise is clearly shown by the fact that the mills are capable of producing 8,000 bags of the highest grade flour every twenty-four hours, which means that about 6,000 tons of wheat pass through its machines every month. This entitles them to rank with the largest flour mills in the world. The godowns are substantially built of brick, with steel stanchions and principals and iron roofs, and have a storage capacity of about 26,000 tons of wheat, 250,000 bags of flour, and 10,000 bags of bran. Elaborate apparatus has been installed to facilitate the handling of wheat and flour, and very particular attention has been given to ventilation. The mill is a five-storey building, and the machinery is of the most approved and modern roller plant, with complete washing apparatus and electric bleachers. The motive power consists of two 250 horse-power and one 150 horse-power Diesel engines. Electric ligiht is used throughout, and special precautions have been taken against fire, the buildings being shut off from each other by fire-proof doors, while an abundant supply of water at about double the pressure of that in the Hongkong mains is procured from the Company's own reservoir situated about 2½ miles away.
Both in the godowns and in the actual milling processes the utmost cleanliness is insisted upon, and the result is shown in the excellent quality and colour of the flour produced, which is in great demand not only in China but also in Japan, Indo- China, the Straits, Burmah, and India. The mills run throughout the whole twenty-four hours, except on Sundays. As Mr. Rennie appreciates to the full the wisdom of looking properly after good servants, every possible consideration is given to the em- ployes, who are housed in bungalows on the hill side and on the hulk Maple Leaf, formerly a sailing ship, moored off the mill, which is electrically lighted and supplied with fresh water from the shore. Strict precautions are taken to ensure healthful conditions on board, and there has been practically no sickness among the employes, who number about 125, since the mills started.
The Company does not confine its attention to flour, for a plant is in course of erection which will produce 24 tons of the best quality clear ice every twenty-four hours, and the establishment of a brewery and aerated water factory is also under con- sideration.
The mills are a valuable addition to the assets of the Colony, for they could at any time, if necessary, supply the entire popu- lation, including naval and military forces, with food for a period of at least four months.
