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香港回望 HK Old Days, Hong Kong (2026)

07/09/2026

【美心創辦人—戲院大王變飲食大王】
Maxim’s Founders: How a Cinema Tycoon Became Hong Kong’s Food & Beverage King

最近幾篇文章，筆者介紹過幾位20世紀初期的台山人，今天的主角是美心集團創辦人伍舜德，他和弟弟伍沾德都出身於台山鄉里陳符祥創辦的陸海通集團，伍舜德與陳氏除了是同鄉，更同是嶺南大學校友，今年我們看看伍舜德如何透過陸海通，成為五六十年代香港戲院業一哥，再開拓全新領域，成為中式餐飲業鉅子。

伍舜德少年喪父，家貧，母親將他送到廣州就學，他學業和體育成績同樣優異，大學時期擔任過中國棒球隊隊長，遠赴國外比賽。1935年伍氏在嶺南大學經濟系畢業後，便加入陸海通，最初在六國飯店任職會計，因表現出眾，1944年獲擢升為司理，其後更晉身董事會，成為核心决策人之一。

戰後，他專責集團的戲院業務，在他的努力下，皇后戲院於1952年成為香港戲院之冠。伍舜德很重視推廣活動，1958年電懋出品的電影「四千金」獲得亞洲影展最佳影片後，在皇后戲院上映，他邀請了港督柏立基夫人和女兒，與戲中主角一起到戲院觀賞，大收宣傳之效。

1960年代，陸海通的戲院版圖更涵蓋麗聲、皇都戲院，伍舜德被委為三間戲院的經理，經常與外國片商洽談播映版權，當年轟動一時的英國安妮公主大婚紀錄片、以及世界盃足球賽事影片的香港播映權，都由伍舜德親自洽商，影片空運到港之後，亦由他親自接收。作為幾間龍頭戲院的負責人，伍舜德在戲院業界很有江湖地位，1964年更出任戲院商會主席。

說了這麼久還是陸海通，伍氏兄弟在甚麼契機下創立美心呢?話說1956年，伍舜德和弟弟伍沾德有鑑於在高級西餐廳進食時，總被安排在洗手間附近位置，心裡很不服氣，決定自己搞一家西餐廳，於是在徵得陸海通董事會同意後，兩人在中環連卡佛大廈地庫開設美心餐廳暨夜總會，踏出了創業第一步。

伍氏兄弟和陸海通一直保持良好的關係，陸海通早前慶祝成立100周年，印製了一本紀念特刊，當中有好幾頁，介紹幾位老臣子的貢獻，其中一位便是伍舜德。文章稱讚他具備卓越才幹、過人膽識和忠誠，是「推動陸海通百年基業拓展的重要人物」。下一篇文章，我們再看看美心發展和壯大的經過。

#伍舜德 #伍沾德 #台山 #陳符祥 #陸海通 #美心 #嶺南大學 #電懋 #邵逸夫 #安妮公主 #世界盃足球

In recent posts, I’ve introduced several prominent figures of Toishan heritage from the early 20th century. Today’s spotlight is on Wu Shun Tak, co-founder of the Maxim’s Group. Both he and his younger brother, James Tak Wu, got their start at Luk Hoi Tong, a company founded by fellow Toishan native Chan Fu Cheung.

Beyond their shared hometown roots, Wu Shun Tak and Chan were both alumni of Lingnan University. Today, let's explore how Wu Shun Tak leveraged his role at Luk Hoi Tong陸海通 to become a titan of Hong Kong’s cinema industry in the 1950s and 60s, before venturing into new territory to build a food and beverage empire.

Having lost his father at a young age, Wu grew up in poverty. His mother managed to send him to Guangzhou for his education, where he excelled in both academics and athletics. During his university years, he served as captain of the Chinese national baseball team and competed internationally. After graduating with an economics degree from Lingnan University in 1935, he joined Luk Hoi Tong as an accountant at the Luk Kwok Hotel六國飯店. Thanks to his stellar performance, he was promoted to Company Manager in 1944 and eventually joined the board of directors as a core decision-maker.

After World War II, Wu took charge of the group's cinema business. Under his stewardship, the Queen’s Theatre emerged as Hong Kong’s premier cinema venue by 1952. Wu placed a strong emphasis on promotional events. In 1958, when MP&GI’s電懋 Our Sister Hedy 四千金won Best Picture at the Asian Film Festival, it was shown at the Queen’s Theatre. To maximize publicity, Wu invited Lady Black柏立基夫人 (wife of the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Robert Black) and her daughter to attend the screening alongside the film's lead actresses.

By the 1960s, Luk Hoi Tong’s cinema portfolio expanded to include the Royal Theatre麗聲戲院 and the State Theatre皇都戲院. Wu served as manager for all three venues, often negotiating broadcast rights directly with foreign distributors. He secured the Hong Kong screening rights for major events of the era—including the high-profile documentary of Princess Anne’s royal wedding and official FIFA World Cup films—taking delivery of the reels as soon as they air-freighted into Hong Kong. As the head of these flagship cinemas, Wu held immense clout in the industry and was elected Chairman of the Hong Kong Theatres Association in 1964.

So, how did the Wu brothers transition from Luk Hoi Tong to founding Maxim’s? The turning point came in 1956. Frustrated by repeatedly being seated near the restrooms whenever they dined at upscale Western restaurants, the Wu brothers decided to open a premier Western restaurant of their own. With the blessing of the Luk Hoi Tong board, they launched the original Maxim’s Restaurant & Nightclub in the basement of the Lane Crawford House in Central, marking their first step into entrepreneurship.

The Wu brothers maintained a close, enduring relationship with Luk Hoi Tong over the decades. When Luk Hoi Tong celebrated its centennial, the company published a commemorative book featuring several key veterans who built the business, highlighting Wu Shun Tak’s immense contributions. The feature described him as a figure of talent, courage, and loyalty—"helped build the solid foundations upon which LHT stands today." In the next post, we’ll look at how Maxim’s expanded into the food and beverage powerhouse it is today.

19/08/2026

【陸海通和上水廖氏淵源】
The Historical Ties Between Luk Hoi Tung and the Sheung Shui Liu Clan

前兩篇文章提到的陸海通集團，原來也是上水石湖墟的大業主，對區內佈局和發展也有主導作用，讓我們追溯這段近百年的關係是如何建立起來。

早前提到，祖籍廣東台山、後來到美國經營藥行的陳任國， 1920年代初看見香港有發展空間，便與曾在廣州嶺南大學就讀、然後從商的兒子陳符祥來港，創辦陸海通有限公司，從事銀業、保險、藥行、旅館等業務。1930年代初，陸海通陳氏家族看見愈來愈多華人移居香港，土地價值開始攀升，便與上水廖氏家族合作，在廣東銀行等的支持下，於上水購入大片土地，並於1932年成立上水置業有限公司。

自此，陳氏家族視這些土地和物業是世代資產，在不斷變化的環境中提供穩定的收益。

戰後，上水置業由陳符祥的弟弟陳康祥打理。陳康祥也是個傳奇人物，他的出身與商業扯不上關係，他早年遠赴德國習醫，在柏林大學考獲醫學博士，1926年回國後，出任中山醫學院院長，1930年代來到香港，曾在容龍創辦療養院。他其後兼任陸海通人壽保險醫務顧問。1946年起擔任上水置業主席。

上水置業與上水廖氏家族關係密切，石湖墟內一些社區設施，例如學校、診所等，上水置業都曾捐出土地或以金錢支持。例如，1932年，廖氏家族在宗族祠堂廖萬石堂創辦的鳳溪小學，於1947年打算擴張時，上水置業便將石湖墟市場收益五成半佣金用作支持學校營運開支。

1953年為慶祝英女皇加冕，上水舉行舞麒麟、搭牌樓、放煙花等活動，所需費用，除了政府資助外，餘額由區內商戶承擔。當中上水置業獨力認捐1,500元，獲得報紙特別點名報道。

1950年代石湖墟曾發生大火，災後百廢待興。1958年上水置業分別捐贈土地予中華基督教宣道會興建小學，以及捐出土地予賽馬會，興建石湖墟賽馬會診所。

至今，區內一些道路，例如符興街、新康街、新祥街，就嵌入了陸海通主事人的名字，而符興街的興字則是從廖氏的廖紹興而來，這些街道代表了陳氏和廖氏在上水建立了近百年的深厚關係。

#陸海通 #英女皇加冕 #新康街 #新祥街 #上水廖氏 #廖萬石堂 #鳳溪中學 #上水置業 #石湖墟 #陳任國 #陳符祥 #陳康祥

The Historical Ties Between Luk Hoi Tung and the Sheung Shui Liu Clan

The Luk Hoi Tung Group was not merely a corporate entity; it was also a major landowner in Shek Wu Hui, Sheung Shui, playing a central role in shaping the district’s early layout and urban development.

In the early 1920s, Chan Yam Kwok—a native of Toishan, who had operated a pharmacy in the United States—spotted business potential in Hong Kong. Partnering with his son, Chan Fu Cheung, he founded Luk Hoi Tung Company Limited. The enterprise quickly expanded into native banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, hospitality. By the early 1930s, backed by the Kwangtung Provincial Bank and other financial institutes, they joined forces with the influential local Liu clan of Sheung Shui to acquire extensive tracts of land, establishing the Sheung Shui Land & Investment Company, Limited in 1932.

For the Chans, these holdings were envisioned as intergenerational legacy assets, designed to yield steady income across changing political and economic landscapes.

Following World War II, management of Sheung Shui Land & Investment fell to Dr. Chan Hong Cheung, younger brother of co-founder Chan Fu Cheung. Dr. Chan led a colorful life outside the typical corporate track. Having traveled to Germany in his youth to study medicine, he earned his doctorate from the Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universittat in Berlin. Upon returning in 1926, he served as Dean of the Medical College of Sun Yat-sen University in Kwangtung. Moving to Hong Kong in the 1930s, he established a sanatorium at Dragon Inn and served as doctor for Luk Hoi Tung Life Insurance Co. before assuming the chairmanship of Sheung Shui Land & Investment in 1946.

Under his leadership, the company maintained close ties with the Sheung Shui Liu clan. Sheung Shui Land & Investment donated land and capital to support local community infrastructure, including schools and clinics. In 1947, when Fung Kai Primary School—originally established by the Liu clan inside the Liu Man Shek Tong Ancestral Hall in 1932—was expanding, the company pledged 55% of its commission earnings from the Shek Wu Hui Market to cover the school's operational expenses.

During the 1953 celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, Sheung Shui hosted grand festivities featuring Qilin dances, ceremonial arches, and fireworks. Beyond government grants, local merchants raised the remaining funds, with Sheung Shui Land & Investment single-handedly contributing HK$1,500—a gesture prominently highlighted in local newspapers at the time.

When a devastating fire swept through Shek Wu Hui in the 1950s, leaving the area in urgent need of reconstruction, the company stepped up again. In 1958, it donated land to the Christian and Missionary Alliance to build a primary school, alongside another plot dedicated to constructing the Shek Wu Hui Jockey Club Clinic.

Today, streets in the district such as Fu Hing Street, San Hong Street, and San Cheung Street still bear the names of the key figures behind Luk Hoi Tung. The character Hing in Fu Hing Street was taken from Liu Shiu-hing of the Liu clan, symbolizing the deep relationship established between the Chan and Liu families in Sheung Shui.

01/08/2026

【歲月長青：灣仔六國飯店】
The Luk Kwok Hotel of Wan Chai

灣仔有一家六國飯店，早於1933年開業，至今快有一個世紀。它也是由我們上一篇文章談到的陸海通所創辦。

陸海通的故事，要從1920年代的上環說起。創辦人陳任國、陳符祥父子看中上環是華商集中地，也是聯通國內外金融、航運、貿易的樞紐，對客棧、旅店服務需求很大。以銀號起家的陸海通，很快在上環設立陸海通旅館，提供住宿、餐飲、外匯兌換、旅遊及票務等廣泛服務，從此奠下經營旅館的基礎。

1930年代，陸海通打算大展拳腳。適逢歷時10年的灣仔填海工程完成，為陸海通進一步發展高級酒店的大計，提供了嶄新的舞台。

六國飯店於1933年落成，臨海而立。它樓高七層，外貌宏偉壯麗，馬上成為灣仔地標。它是當時灣仔最高的大廈，也是首間設有中菜館的酒店，同時亦是灣仔區首家設有升降機的大廈。

六國飯店的住客，在歲月中亦經過多番轉變，默默見證著灣仔的發展軌跡。1930年代，富裕人士移民美國前夕，會在碼頭附近的六國飯店暫住，等候上船；日治時期，六國飯店曾被日軍徵用；1960年代的灣仔是著名的紅燈區，酒吧夜總會林立，娛樂事業發達，吸引不少外籍水手前來消遣，一些美國海軍第七艦隊船員也喜歡入住六國飯店。荷里活以香港為題材的著名電影《蘇絲黃的世界》，其原著小說中提及的酒店Nam Kok Hotel，就是以六國飯店為藍本。

六國飯店頂層曾開設一間高級的甘露夜總會（Jambo Room）。場內設計別開生面，以非洲為主題，所有裝潢和擺設都一絲不苟，連牆上懸掛的斑馬皮都特地由非洲選購。夜總會設有茶舞與晚舞時段，並有駐場樂隊演奏，氣派十足。

隨著時光流逝，1970年代起灣仔再次填海，建成今天的灣仔北。六國飯店於1986年宣佈拆卸重建，並於1989年落成。新建築物樓高30層，涵蓋六國酒店及辦公樓層。在灣仔歷經多次填海發展後，這座曾經的臨海地標輾轉變成了區內眾多高樓之一，但它懷舊的面貌，依然訴說著歲月的滄桑。

#六國飯店 #陸海通 #陳任國 #陳符祥 #灣仔 #蘇絲黃的世界 #水手 #陸海通旅館 #甘露夜總會

The Luk Kwok Hotel of Wan Chai

Standing in the heart of Wan Chai, the Luk Kwok Hotel traces its roots all the way back to 1933, carrying a brand history that spans nearly a full century. Just like the subject of our previous article, this legendary hospitality brand was founded by the Luk Hoi Tong Company.

The story of Luk Hoi Tong takes us back to 1920s Sheung Wan. Father-and-son founders Chan Yam-kwok and Chan Foo-cheong recognized that Sheung Wan was not only a bustling hub for Chinese merchants, but also a crucial node linking finance, shipping, and trade. Demand for lodging was through the roof. Having built their empire in native banking, Luk Hoi Tong quickly established the Luk Hoi Tong Hotel in Sheung Wan. Offering everything from rooms and dining to remittance, travel, and ticketing, it laid the groundwork for their hospitality legacy.

By the 1930s, the company was ready to make its big move. As luck would have it, the massive Wan Chai reclamation project—a decade in the making—had just wrapped up, offering the perfect waterfront stage for Luk Hoi Tong’s next big play: a premier luxury hotel.

When the Luk Kwok Hotel opened in 1933, it commanded the shoreline. At seven stories tall, its grand architecture instantly turned it into a Wan Chai landmark. It held several claims to fame: the tallest building in Wan Chai, the first hotel to house a fine Chinese restaurant, and the very first building in Wan Chai equipped with an elevator.

Over the decades, the faces passing through its lobby mirrored the evolving story of Wan Chai itself. In the 1930s, wealthy locals bound for the United States would stay at the waterfront hotel while waiting to board their ships. During WWII, the hotel was commandeered by Japanese occupying forces. By the 1960s, Wan Chai had morphed into a famous red-light district teeming with neon-lit bars and nightclubs. It became a magnet for foreign mariners, including servicemen from the U.S. Seventh Fleet who frequented the hotel. In fact, the Nam Kok Hotel featured in the original novel behind the iconic Hollywood film The World of Suzie Wong was directly inspired by the Luk Kwok.

Adding to its glamour, the hotel’s top floor housed the upscale Jambo Room (known locally as 甘露夜總會). Designed around an authentic African safari theme, no expense was spared—right down to the real zebra hides imported from Africa hanging on the walls. Hosting fashionable tea dances and evening galas accompanied by a live band, it was the epitome of mid-century sophistication.
With the passage of time, further land reclamation starting in the 1970s gave rise to modern-day Wan Chai North. The Luk Kwok Hotel was slated for redevelopment in 1986 and reopened in 1989 as a modern 30-story tower, housing both the contemporary Luk Kwok Hotel and commercial offices.

Through Wan Chai’s endless cycles of land reclamation, the hotel has transitioned from a solitary waterfront beacon into one skyscraper among many. Yet beneath its modern skyline presence, the heritage of the Luk Kwok quietly carries the rich, bittersweet nostalgia of Hong Kong's bygone eras.

12/07/2026

【百年老字號陸海通坐鎮中環】

中環心臟地帶有一條戲院里，旁邊曾經是皇后戲院，不少人仍記憶猶新。戲院已經在2007年結業，現址改建為以其所屬企業命名的陸海通大廈(LHT Tower)。這家企業向來低調，其實它歷史悠久，成立至今剛好100周年，灣仔六國飯店、九龍彌敦酒店、北角皇都戲院、新界容龍別墅都是它旗下的項目，你可知它的創辦人有甚麼來頭?

陸海通集團的創辦人陳任國、陳符祥父子，是20世紀初台山幫代表之一。

台山的男丁，大多出外打工，陳任國也不例外，他在美國三藩市經營藥行幾十年，其間還結識了孫中山，加入同盟會，透過捐款支持革命。1921年與兒子陳符祥開始籌辦陸海通，部份資金從美國招股集資而來。1922年先在香港成立陸海通銀號，從事附貯按揭、匯兌等，獲利後再購買其他物業。在1926年陸海通註冊為有限公司，業務遍及銀業、保險、藥房、旅店。陳氏父子在政商界也很有地位，與國民政府軍政界中人熟稔，1933年陳任國舉辦壽宴時，政要胡漢民、孫科、陳濟堂都有致賀。

1930年代是陸海通發展的重要里程，公司在中環、灣仔及彌敦道的投資項目，至今天仍是不少人的共同回憶。由於篇幅關係，先集中談位於中環皇后大道中31號的皇后戲院。

皇后戲院於1924年5月由同屬台山同鄉的華人領袖馬叙朝與中國近代電影先驅盧根合辦，前身是香港映畫戲院。1931年陸海通購入了皇后戲院作收租用途，成功躋身中環核心地段，從此對這片土地不離不棄。初時的皇后戲院，是豪華和時尚的代名詞，它是首批引入空調的戲院之一，也率先播放有聲電影，在業界很有地位。

1958年陸海通啟動重建計劃，將戲院所在地改建作13層高、包括商店、戲院及辦公室的綜合大樓。它是香港最早採納玻璃幕墻及扶手電梯等先進元素的建築物之一。1961年，陸海通大廈奠基禮上，邀請了被時人冠以「香港人瑞」美名的104歲許濟遜老人主持，正好反映了陸海通追求長期經營、穩健發展的理念。

2007年，第二代皇后戲院結業，原址改建為今天29層的LHT TOWER，由名建築師嚴迅奇及團隊設計，摺疊式幕墻象徵舞台帷幕，呼應著它昔日的戲院風光。

今年是陸海通成立100周年，除了在報紙上刊登特刊，陸海通大廈也設有展板，介紹公司走過的歲月。

#陸海通 #皇后戲院 #嚴迅奇 #台山 #同盟會 #陳任國 #陳符祥 #馬叙朝 #盧根 #孫中山 #六國飯店 #彌敦酒店 #容龍別墅
A Century-Old Legacy: How Luk Hoi Tong Secured a Foothold in Central

In the bustling heart of Central lies Theatre Lane, situated right next to a site that still triggers a wave of nostalgia for older generations of Hong Kongers: the old Queen’s Theatre. Though the silver screen went dark for the last time in 2007, the location was reborn as LHT Tower, named after its low-profile parent company, the Luk Hoi Tong Company.

While Luk Hoi Tong rarely courts the media spotlight, it is a quiet titan celebrating its centenary this year. Today, its name is inseparable from this prime Central location, but its storied history actually began a century ago with a diverse portfolio that came to include the Luk Kwok Hotel 六國飯店 in Wan Chai, the Nathan Hotel 彌敦酒店 in Kowloon, the State Theatre 皇都戲院 in North Point, and the legendary Dragon Inn 容龍別墅 in the New Territories. But do you know the background of the empire's founders?

The masterminds behind the group were Chan Yam Kwok陳任國 and his son, Chan Fu Cheung陳符祥—two defining figures of the early 20th-century "Toi Shan Clique."

Like many young men from the Toi Shan region, the elder Chan left home to seek his fortune abroad. He spent decades running a successful pharmaceutical business in San Francisco. It was there that he crossed paths with Sun Yat-sen and joined the Chinese Revolutionary Alliance 同盟會, personally financing the revolution through donations. By 1921, Chan and his son began laying the groundwork for Luk Hoi Tong, partially funding the venture by rallying capital from investors back in the United States.

In 1922, they opened the Luk Hoi Tong Native Bank 陸海通銀號 in Hong Kong, leveraging profits from mortgages and remittances to aggressively buy into local real estate. Incorporated as a limited company in 1926, the firm quickly diversified into insurance, pharmaceuticals, and hospitality. When Chan Yam Kwok celebrated a milestone birthday in 1933, the guest list of well-wishers read like a Who’s Who of the Nationalist Government, including statesmen Hu Hanmin 胡漢民, Sun Fo 孫科, and Chen Jitang 陳濟堂.

The 1930s proved to be the golden era of expansion for Luk Hoi Tong, yielding investments across Central, Wan Chai, and Nathan Road that remain anchored in Hong Kong’s collective memory.

Originally opened in May 1924 by fellow Toi Shan community leader Ma Tsui Chiu 馬叙朝 and Chinese cinematic pioneer Lo Kan 盧根 on a site previously occupied by the Hong Kong Theater 香港映畫戲院), the Queen’s Theatre was acquired by Luk Hoi Tong in 1931. It was a strategic masterstroke, planting the company flag firmly in the absolute center of Hong Kong’s business district. In its heyday, the Queen's Theatre was the ultimate symbol of cosmopolitan luxury. It was among the first in the city to introduce air conditioning and pioneer the screening of "talkies" (sound films).

In 1958, Luk Hoi Tong launched a major redevelopment plan to transform the cinema site into a 13-story mixed-use complex comprising retail shops, a theatre, and corporate offices. The design featured a glass curtain wall and escalators, making it one of the very first buildings in Hong Kong to pioneer these modern architectural elements. At the building's foundation stone-laying ceremony in 1961, the company invited 104-year-old Hui Chai-shun許濟遜—affectionately revered by contemporaries as "Hong Kong's Centenarian" due to his incredible longevity—to officiate. It was a symbolic gesture that perfectly mirrored Luk Hoi Tong’s corporate philosophy of longevity and steady, sustainable growth.

When the second-generation Queen’s Theatre finally closed in 2007, the site was redeveloped into the sleek, 29-story LHT Tower we see today. Designed by renowned architect Rocco Yim, the building's striking, folded glass facade mimics a cascading stage curtain—a brilliant architectural nod to the cinematic history that paved its way.

As Luk Hoi Tong hits its 100-year milestone, the company is celebrating with a retrospective exhibition inside LHT Tower, alongside special media supplements, offering the public a rare look at the quiet century of heritage.

14/06/2026

【三周年感言】

不經不覺，「香港回望」專頁面世已經三周年。開始時，筆者純粹想延續寫作「九巴初創20年」一書時，燃起對香港歷史的興趣；慢慢地，搜尋資料、撰寫帖文已變成生活的一部分，研究的領域和時間跨度，也越深越廣。

我始終堅持走深入研究，翔實報導的路線，不以市場為主導，只希望以文會友，與知音共享研究結果，為塵封的往事賦予當世意義。

三年下來，專頁已累積超過2,000名知音人沿途追隨，最近寫林護的帖文，更錄得超過156,000瀏覽量，以及12,000互動量，雙雙打破個人紀錄。令我自豪的是，這些數字全是自然流量，是讀者意見最真實的反映，沒有一分錢廣告投放。你們的支持，令我深受感動和鼓舞。我一定會加倍努力，回報大家的厚愛。

你們知道本專業的追蹤者是甚麼人嗎?

根據後台資料顯示，我們當中男女比例是67%比33%；年齡方面，以35至44歲、45至54歲兩個組別人數最多，合共超過半數，65歲以上、55至64歲, 以及25至34歲三組旗鼓相當，各佔14%左右。以上數據可見，這個歷史專頁，讀者的年齡層廣泛，並以中年人士為主。

地域分佈方面，香港本土讀者佔壓倒性的84.4%，英國的讀者也有4.5%，其他分別是加拿大2.7%，台灣1.7%，澳門1.5%，美國1.4%。

以下，我選錄了幾則過去兩年閱讀及互動人數較多的帖文，如果你當時沒有機會看，可以在這裡重溫。

【林護有幾犀利?】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Di6qEVJJG/
【英皇書院在波折中誕生】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BztT17Mu4/
【點解離島首間醫院在長洲？】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JRxjFRrCD/
【普慶坊﹕港史最嚴重塌樓慘案】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17HQWCcAYL/
【梁省德的淒美愛情故事】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GefCTDQg6/
【永安的光輝歲月】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cf71Lj51u/
【校服幾時開始?】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1D3w9UoVA8/
【男拔過九龍】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HAAtwC6JK/
【何東嫁女】
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GsAEx2aS9/
【點解冇2號風球？】
https://www.facebook.com/share/17zTkBsgbm/

04/06/2026

【林護有幾犀利?】
How Remarkable Was Lam Woo?

你聽過聖公會林護紀念中學吧？林護除了對教會有貢獻外，他在建造業的江湖地位、他作為孫中山革命同志的事蹟，你知道多少呢？

林護是四邑新會人，是一個典型海外歸僑奮鬥致富的故事。由於父親早逝，他1876年14歲便到澳洲，在雜貨店當雜工。林護為人勤奮好學，工餘時還到鄰近青年會學習英文，他更在墨爾本受洗，加入聖公會。數年後林護來到香港發展，與兄長林裘謀合辦聯益建築公司，業務更遍及內地多個城市，成為20世紀初最重要的華人建造商，被推舉為香港建造商會首兩屆會長。

在香港，林護參與過不少工程，包括渣甸行、香港大酒店、聖保羅堂、聖保羅男女中學、拔萃男校、聖士提反書院、青年會等，部份建築物保存至今，被評為不同級別的古蹟。他在20世紀初，也替政府承辦灣仔填海計劃，在軒尼詩道、告士打道、洛克道、謝菲道發展地產項目，是當時全港最富有的華人基督教徒。

林護積極提升華人在教會的地位和參與度，1911年倡導興建首間位於中環鐵崗的華人教堂—聖公會聖保羅堂；他也是1914年聖保羅女書院(聖保羅男女中學前身)的創辦人及主要資助來源之一；他與青年會淵源深厚，除了捐款3千元興建上環的必列啫士街青年會外，也參與了尖沙咀青年會的建造工程。為表揚林護對基督教和教育方面的熱誠及捐獻，聖公會1970年開辦了一間以林護為名的紀念中學。

林護不僅在建造業、宗教和教育界受到推崇，他一直關心國是，是孫中山革命事業的忠實支持者，他1903年加入興中會，同年出資興辦革命言論機關「世界公益報」。無論在辛亥革命前，還是孫中山在廣東建立政權後，都一直提供財政資助，孫中山對他十分感激。由1925年孫死後至1927年南北統一，林護仍然不斷努力籌募捐款。

所以林護在1935年逝世後，孫中山的兒子、時任中華民國立法院長的孫科，為他出殯時執紼，並撰寫「墓表」，刻在林護的墓碑上，其中提到孫中山曾多次想向林護授官作表揚，林都推辭不接受；也提到林護為黃河氾濫捐出可觀金額救災、為興建寧陽鐵路奔走、解決鄉鄰之間的糾紛，盜匪焚刼鄉鎮時請兵清肅匪黨，因而被推舉為鄉長。「墓表」的內容，正反映了林護對家鄉事務的關心。

#林護 #聖公會林護紀念中學 #聖公會 #孫中山 #興中會 #聖保羅男女中學 #青年會 #聖公會聖保羅堂 #四邑 #拔萃男校 #辛亥革命

How Remarkable Was Lam Woo?

You’ve likely heard of S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School. But beyond his contributions to the Church, how much do you know about his preeminent status in the construction industry or his legacy as a revolutionary comrade of Sun Yat-sen?

Lam Woo was a native of Sze Yap —a classic tale of an overseas Chinese striver rising to wealth. Following his father’s early passing, he moved to Australia in 1876 at the age of 14 to work in a grocery store. Diligent and eager to learn, Lam studied English at a nearby YMCA after work. He was later baptized in Melbourne, joining the Anglican Church.

Years later, he moved to Hong Kong and co-founded Lam Woo & Co. (聯益建築公司) with his brother, Lam Kau-mow. Their business expanded across various cities in mainland China, establishing Lam as the most prominent Chinese contractor of the early 20th century. He was subsequently elected as the inaugural president of the Hong Kong Construction Association.

Lam Woo was involved in numerous landmark projects in Hong Kong, including Jardine House, the Hong Kong Hotel, St. Paul’s Church, St. Paul’s Co-educational College, Diocesan Boys’ School, St. Stephen’s College, and the YMCA. Some of these structures survive today and are classified as graded historic buildings. In the early 20th century, he also undertook the Praya East Reclamation Scheme for the government, developing real estate along Hennessy Road, Gloucester Road, Lockhart Road, and Jaffe Road. He was the wealthiest Chinese Christian in Hong Kong at the time.

Lam actively elevated the status and participation of Chinese members within the Church. In 1911, he advocated for the construction of the first Chinese church in Glenealy, Central—S.K.H. St. Paul’s Church. In 1914, he became a co-founder and primary benefactor of St. Paul’s Girls' College (the predecessor of St. Paul’s Co-educational College). His ties with the YMCA ran deep; in addition to donating $3,000 to build the Bridges Street YMCA in Sheung Wan, he participated in the construction of the Tsim Sha Tsui YMCA. To honor his devotion and contributions to Christianity and education, the Anglican Church founded S.K.H. Lam Woo Memorial Secondary School in 1970.

Lam Woo’s influence extended into national affairs as a loyal supporter of Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary cause. He joined the Revive China Society (Hsing Chung Hui) in 1903 and funded the establishment of the revolutionary newspaper 世界公益報 that same year. He provided consistent financial backing both before the 1911 Revolution and after Sun established his government in Guangdong. Sun Yat-sen remained deeply grateful to him. Even after Sun’s death in 1925, Lam continued his fundraising efforts until the Northern Expedition unified the country in 1927.

When Lam Woo passed away in 1935, Sun Fo—son of Sun Yat-sen and then-President of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China—served as a pallbearer and penned the "Tomb Inscription" carved onto Lam’s headstone. The inscription notes that Sun Yat-sen had repeatedly offered Lam government positions as honors, all of which Lam declined. It also recounts his generous donations to Yellow River flood relief, his efforts in facilitating the construction of the 寧陽鐵路, his role as a local mediator, and his successful petition for troops to clear bandits from his hometown, which led to his election as village head. These records reflect Lam Woo’s lifelong commitment to his roots and his country.

20/05/2026

【香港早期珍貴圖片展】
Unveiling Stories: Reviving Memories

那天路過怡和大廈，被陳列在走廊的小型展覽吸引著，展覽的佈置充滿懷舊風情，散出發出優雅的情懷，令我不知不覺駐足觀看了幾十分鐘。

展覽的名稱是「記憶之源：重塑故事。」設於中環怡和大廈走廊，展出置地公司的珍藏繪畫和照片，重現香港早期的面貌。

展品包括標示著1841年的香港早期地圖、1850年代的維港舊照片、20世紀初的著名建築物包括亞歷山大行、香港大酒店、告羅士打酒店、畢打街連鐘樓等；還有一些刊登於英國報章Illustrated London News的插圖，包括一張1882年的版畫，以三組畫作描述在節慶日子，皇后大道上慶祝的盛況，中間一幅展示舞龍隊伍在水泄不通的人群中通過，旁邊西式的建築物露台上擠滿觀眾，熱鬧非常。上面一張畫描繪巡遊隊伍旁，有幾名乘客坐在山兜和人力車上。下面一張畫則描繪巡遊的另一番景象。

展品的陳列也很有心思，部份圖片托上硬板，或竪立或平放在古色古香的桌面，以金屬線繫在木底座上，讓人隨意拿起來細閱。有些文字或圖像，印在柔軟的物料上，一幅幅垂下，讓參觀者一層層地揭起，隨意閱讀那一層的資料。

展覽在3月20日開始，至6月20日才結束，有興趣的話，還來得及去看。

#中環 #怡和大廈 #香港大酒店 #告羅士打酒店 #畢打街 #皇后大道 #維港

I happened to be passing through Jardine House the other day when a small exhibition in the corridor caught my eye. There was something about the curation—an old-world elegance and nostalgic gravity—that pinned me to the spot. What I thought would be a quick glance turned into a forty-minute journey through time.

The show, titled “Unveiling Stories: Reviving Memories”, draws from Hongkong Land’s corporate archives to piece together a visual history of early Hong Kong.

Some of the exhibits include a map of Hong Kong from 1841, a painting of Victoria Harbour from the 1850s, and the city’s grandest early 20th-century icons—from Alexandra House to the Hong Kong Hotel and the old Pedder Street Clock Tower. It also features a series of engravings from The Illustrated London News.

If you’re looking for a quiet moment of reflection amid the Central hustle, this is it. The exhibition kicked off on March 20 and runs through June 20, so you still have a window to catch it before it disappears.

01/05/2026

【台山猛人你認識多少？】
How Many Toi Shan Big Shots Do You Know?

台山人的祖先很早便移民到南洋及美洲，香港開埠後，也有一些人來香港謀生，他們與海外的鄉親互相照應，形成了一個龐大的網絡，推動新思潮的傳播和各行各業的發展。

早期台山的靈魂人物有富商李煜堂，他是同盟會會員，曾資助革命報紙、透過旗下商號接收革命滙款及掩護革命黨人。電影「十月圍城」中的愛國富商李玉堂，便以他為藍本。辛亥革命之後曾短暫擔任廣東財政司，其後在香港創立了聯益等保險公司，時人稱為保險大王。他也參與創辦四邑輪船公司、廣東銀行、安樂園食品公司等。

投身革命的，還有前養和醫院院長李樹芬醫生。他曾入讀拔萃、西醫書院、同樣懷有救國理想。於李煜堂兒子李自重介紹下，加入同盟會，任總軍醫。1923至1925年間，出任孫中山醫務顧問及衛生部長。1926年，回港擔任香港養和醫院董事會主席兼院長，曾任市政、立法局議員。

祖籍台山的傑出商人有身兼銀行家、實業家及慈善家的李星衢，他早年經營廣泰隆辦莊，進而與李煜堂一起成立廣東銀行，之後再創辦康年銀行，此外，他出任多家保險公司董事，也是油麻地小輪公司的創辦人之一。他還活躍於慈善組織以至各商會社團。今天，他的故居仍䇄立在羅便臣道15號。

台山人很重視同鄉關係，很多企業家在創業早年，都與其他同鄉有所交集。陸海通集團創辦人陳符祥來港經商，就是從李煜堂有份創辦的四邑輪船公司開始，之後又替李煜堂到上海主持上海聯保水火險有限公司。陳符祥1924年創辦陸海通集團，業務有保險、旅館、藥行等，還有著名的皇后戲院、六國飯店和彌敦酒店。位於中環的皇后戲院現已改建為陸海通大厦，標誌着集團走過的歲月。

這種交集同樣體現在著名飲食集團美心創辦人伍氏兄弟身上。哥哥伍舜德嶺南大學經濟系畢業後，到香港加入陳符祥的陸海通，出任總經理，其後與弟弟伍沾德一同管理皇后戲院，兩人於1956年在中環創辦美心餐廳，逐漸發展為美心飲食王國。

1920年代九龍蓬勃發展，以生意頭腦著稱的台山人，也看到商機。人稱深水埗皇帝的黄耀東出身於台山的鄉村，來香港後，在一間金山庄打工，認識商業運作後，自立門戶，經營不同行業，趁深水埗填海發展，大量購入土地興建洋房，成為大地主，他捐錢興建的深水埔(埗)公立醫局，見證了他對深水埗的貢獻。

九龍交通發展離不開九巴，其主要創辦人中，有兩名雷姓的台山鄉親，分別是雷瑞德家族和雷亮，前者是澳洲歸僑，後者從家鄉到香港謀生，他們連同其他人，於1921年創辦了九巴，並於1933年取得九龍區巴士專營權。

#台山 #深水埔埗醫局 #美心 #九巴 #皇后戲院 #六國飯店 #四邑 #李煜堂 #辛亥革命 #養和醫院 #十月圍城

The Toi Shan people emigrated early to Southeast Asia and the Americas; after Hong Kong became a port many returned, keeping strong overseas kin networks that spread new ideas and supported industry growth.

Key figures and enterprises:

Li Yuk-tong李煜堂: wealthy merchant and Tongmenghui supporter who funded revolutionary activities, later served briefly as Guangdong Commissioner of Finance, founded insurers (e.g., Luen Yick), co-founded Sze Yap Steamship Co., Bank of Canton, and On Lok Yuen.

Dr. Li Shu-fan李樹芬醫生: revolutionary surgeon and Sun Yat-sen’s physician (1923–25); later chaired Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital and served on Urban and Legislative Councils.

Li Sing-kui李星衢: banker, industrialist, philanthropist; co-founded Bank of Canton and Hong Nin Bank, served on insurance boards, co-founded Yaumati Ferry; his former residence at 15 Robinson Road remains notable.

Chan Fu-cheung陳符祥and Wu brothers伍舜德、伍沾德: Chan founded Luk Hoi Tong 陸海通 (insurance, hotels, pharmacies); S.T. Wu and James Wu, once LHT managers, founded Maxim’s Restaurant in 1956, later a catering empire.

Wong Yiu-tung黄耀東: “King of Sham Shui Po,” landowner and philanthropist who developed western-style housing and funded a public dispensary.

Louey and Lui families雷瑞德和雷亮: Toi Shan founders of Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) in 1921; Louey managed operations, Lui raised capital—together securing the Kowloon franchise in 1933.

15/04/2026

【台山人點解咁有錢？】
Why are Toishan people so wealthy?

香港台山商會最近慶祝成立150週年，它的前身寧陽會館早在1876年(光緒二年) 成立，比歐籍商人組成的香港總商會只遲了15年，是香港其中一個最早的商會。

為什麼台山人這麼早便來到香港做生意? 他們人數很多嗎? 這個問題要從台山人向外闖的歷史淵源說起。

台山(前稱新寧)在珠三角西南，屬海濱地區，與新會、開平、恩平合稱為四邑，現在隸屬江門。早在宋朝已有人因政治原因，被迫逃亡海外，例如元朝滅宋的最後一戰(崖門海戰)，便是在新會對開海面進行，宋軍內有不少四邑人。清朝著名海盜張保仔，也是四邑新會人，他不少部眾後來去了南洋落户，這些都是早期的移民。

16世紀初，葡萄牙人、荷蘭人相繼來到亞洲，開始了以澳門作為根據地，販運勞工出洋的生意。貼近澳門的四邑地區，自然首當其衝。1860年第二次鴉片戰爭之後，苦力貿易合法化，不少華工被騙或被拐賣到美洲、澳洲等地淘金和建鐵路。除此之外，也有人是自願離鄉別井的。那時候四邑地區天災頻繁，農作物失收，很多人生計受損。加上在廣東一帶長達14年的「土客械鬥」，台山又是重災區之一，雙重打擊下，有些人甘願遠走他方。他們除了前往舊金山(美國)、新金山(澳洲)外，香港也是目的地之一，因為那時香港已發展為國際商埠，謀生機會較多。

台山前臨大海，佔盡地利，所以出洋人數是四邑之冠，有中國第一僑鄉之稱。
華工們大多是隻身出洋，省吃儉用也要將工資寄回老家。四邑之中，由於台山出洋的人最多，僑滙收入亦最多，1929年之前，每年收入過千萬美元，佔全國總數1/8。1930年，更增至3,000萬美元，佔全國1/3。可想而知當時的台山人多麼富貴。

到了19世紀末、 20世紀初，為甚麼有些台山人又從美、澳來到香港，成為我們口中的「金山亞伯」，更在1876年，人數多至可以成立商會呢? 原來那時美、澳分別通過歧視性法案，限制華人入籍，不但阻截了新移民的去路，亦令心灰意冷的舊移民重新尋求出路。不少華人寧願來到政治穩定、經濟繁榮的香港，以他們累積的資本、技術和營商網絡，為香港帶來新的產業和營商模式，造就香港1920年代初的高速發展。

下一篇帖文，我們再看看有甚麼名人或企業家祖籍台山，到今天他們還有甚麼影響力。

#台山 #移民 #香港 #香港台山商會 #主客械鬥 #四邑 #張保仔 #新會 #賣豬仔 #華工 #金山
Why are Toishan people so wealthy?
The Hong Kong Toi Association recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. It was established as early as 1876. This was only 15 years after the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce—formed by European merchants—making it one of the earliest chambers of commerce in Hong Kong.
Why did the Toishanese come to Hong Kong to do business so early?
Toi shan台山 (formerly known as San Ning新寧) is located in the southwest of the Pearl River Delta. It is a coastal area that, along with San Wui新會, Hoi Ping開平, and Yan Ping恩平is collectively known as Sze Yup 四邑(the Four Counties), currently under the jurisdiction of Jiangmen. As early as the Song Dynasty, people were forced to flee overseas for political reasons. For instance, the final battle of the Yuan Dynasty’s conquest of the Song took place in the waters off San Wui新會, and many Sze Yup natives served in the Song army. The famous Qing Dynasty pirate, Cheung Po Tsai, was also a Sze Yup native from San Wui新會; many of his associates later settled in Southeast Asia, forming the early waves of migration.
In the early 16th century, the Portuguese and Dutch arrived in Asia and began using Macau as a base for the labor trade. The Sze Yup region, being adjacent to Macau, was naturally the first to be affected. Following the Second O***m War in 1860, the coolie trade was legalized. Many Chinese laborers were deceived or kidnapped and sold to the Americas and Australia to "dig for gold" or build railroads.
However, others left their homes voluntarily. At that time, the Sze Yup region suffered from frequent natural disasters and crop failures, devastating many livelihoods. Furthermore, Toi Shan was one of the worst-hit areas during the Punti-Hakka Clan Wars土客械鬥, which lasted 14 years in Guangdong. Faced with this double blow, some were willing to travel far afield. Besides heading to Old Gold Mountain (San Francisco, USA) and New Gold Mountain (Australia), Hong Kong was a popular destination, as it had already developed into an international commercial port with many opportunities.
Because Toi Shan is closest to the coast, it possessed a geographical advantage. Consequently, the number of people going abroad from Toi Shan was the highest among the Sze Yup counties, earning it the title of "China's No. 1 Overseas Chinese Hometown."
Most Chinese laborers went abroad alone, living frugally to send their wages back home. Among the Sze Yup counties, Toi Shan had the most people abroad and thus the highest overseas remittances. Before 1929, the annual income from these remittances exceeded 10 million USD, accounting for 1/8 of the national total. In 1930, this figure rose to 30 million USD, representing 1/3 of the entire country's remittances. One can imagine how wealthy the Toishanese were at that time.
From the late 19th century into the 20th century, why did some Toishanese move from America and Australia to Hong Kong, becoming the "Uncle Gold Mountains" (金山亞伯) we speak of, and growing numerous enough to form a chamber of commerce by 1876?
It turns out that both the US and Australia passed discriminatory legislation (such as the Chinese Exclusion Act) to restrict Chinese naturalization. This not only blocked new immigrants but also caused disillusioned old immigrants to seek new paths. Many Chinese preferred to come to a politically stable and economically prosperous Hong Kong. Bringing their accumulated capital, skills, and business networks, they introduced new industries and business models, fueling Hong Kong's rapid development in the early 1920s.
In the next post, we will look at which famous figures or entrepreneurs share Toishanese ancestry and see what influence they still hold today.
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