Western Praya in Tsim Sha Tsui
Primary tabs
The Government Notification no. 356 in Hongkong Government Gazette released on 3 September 1887 mentions:
The Road which runs parallel to the Western Praya at Kowloon Point, on the Eastern side of Marine Lots Nos. 9, 10, 11, 20, 21, 21A and 22, shall from henceforth be known as and designated MacDonnell Road.
As far as I know, MacDonnell Road in the above context refers to the present Canton Road. However, I couldn't find anything about Western Praya through search engine.
Referring to the map of Tsim Sha Tsui in the 1890s (attached below), I could see Western Praya on the waterfront. But when I compared it with the present map, I couldn't find any roads that fitted the position of Western Praya.
I'd like to ask a few questions:
1. Where was Western Praya located?
2. Had the name of Western Praya ever been changed? Was there any Chinese names for the road?
3. Approximately when was the road demolished?
4. For what was the road demolished?
Looking forward to all your answers. Thanks a lot!
The road still exists - it is
The road still exists - it is called Gateway Boulevard. It is an access road for the shopping Centre/hotels along the waterfront there.
I believe the official name of the road was Western Bund so try that in the search engine
Re: The road still exists - it is
By the way, when was Western Praya separated from the unnamed road along the southern coast?
Probably when Ocean Terminal
Probably when Ocean Terminal was built in the 1970's
Access was restricted prior to that though. Look at this page for photos of the area. A railway line used to run along the front.
86. A proposal was submitted
86. A proposal was submitted to the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, for carrying out certain alterations and exchanges to enable the public traffic to be diverted from the Praya. at Kowloon, which is so greatly obstructed by their tramway lines and trucks and the conduct of their business generally. The Company submitted an alternative proposal, which the Government expressed itself prepared to accept on certain terms. The terms, however, were not acceptable to the Company and, as a compromise agreeable to both parties could not be arranged, the matter dropped.
1902 PWD Report Source
89. The question of carrying out certain alterations and exchanges to enable the traffic to be diverted from the Praya in front of the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company’s premises at Kowloon was re-opened and satisfactory progress was made towards a settlement of the matter, but it had not been finally disposed of by the end of the year.
1903 PWD Report Source