Oriental restaurant | Gwulo: Old Hong Kong

Oriental restaurant

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Submitted by anonymous-01 on Tue, 2012-05-29 22:02
Browsing the Jury Lists I find my great grandfather John Olson first appears in 1867 as manager of the Oriental Restaurant. This post is on the off chance that somebody may know something about the establishment. Heretofore I had thought this restaurant was part of the National Tavern in Queen's Road which the Carl Smith Archive seem to indicate. Strangely the 1868 Jury List shows him at an innkeeper on Queen's Road. All theories welcome. Sean
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Submitted by David on Wed, 2012-05-30 20:12.

Hi Sean,

Doesn't ring a bell. Where have you had a look already?

You might get lucky with a search in the newspapers from that time. Otherwise you could try skimming through the newspapers to see if there are any mentions.

He was definitely the holder of the license for the National Tavern at that time:

"Feb 3rd 1866, license transferred to present holder [ie John Olson] by Antonio da Cruz;" from HK Daily Press in 1870.

Curious!

Regards, David

Submitted by anonymous-01 on Wed, 2012-05-30 22:29.

This information is from an online search of the Carl Smith Archive just using the name Olson which perhaps indicates Chung - presumably Ching Ah Fung - may have had something to do with the place.

I don't have a copy of the 130387 card details below but have discovered another that I do have a copy of one which shows John as manager of the Oriental in 1867 as well at being manager of the National Tavern,

9 JOHN OLSON; NATIONAL HOTEL; NATIONAL TAVERN; CHUNG AH FUNG OLSON; ORIENTAL RESTAURANT; TEMPERANCE HALL; STAG HOTEL1867 - 1871; 1875 - 1892; 1872; 1918; 1890
130387

 

Clearly I need to do some more research.

Sean

Submitted by Adam on Thu, 2012-05-31 13:01.

This might be something to consider, taken from The Treaty Ports of China and Japan (Dennys, 1867), page 23:

"At the time of writing the Oriental Hotel is still in existence, but its site and business having been purchased by the Hongkong Hotel company, recently established, this establishment will soon be closed."

The Oriental restaurant could have been a part of this hotel, and it would seem that it was where the Hongkong Hotel was soon to open (Pedder St/Queens Rd).

Submitted by anonymous-01 on Thu, 2012-05-31 17:38.

Thanks Adam. Yours seems a not unreasonable conculsion. My great grandfather was also running the National Tavern on Queen's Road at the same time so it is not unlikely that he was double jobbing!

Perhaps he also thought it might look better on the Jury List to be classified as a restaurant manager.

It would be interesting to know the address of the Oriental Hotel as David has tracked down the original site of the National Tavern which later became the National Hotel.

Sean