Kai Tak - The Earlier Years
( extact from Syd's Last Pirate)
Messrs. Kai and Tack were greatly respected citizens of the mid-nineteenth century. Mr Au Tack (Au Chak Nu) operated a thriving photographic business from 26 Des Voeux Road, Central – now the site of the Wing On Company. Au Tack’s eldest daughter married Ho Wing Ching, eldest son of Dr. Kai Ho Kai.
A grant of $ HK 20,000 by Au Tack and Mok Kon Sang founded Munsang College that opened in 1926. In 1947, Cathay Pacific Airway’s single officers’ mess faced the entrance gates of Munsang College. Dr. Kai Ho Kai qualified in medicine at Aberdeen University and later was called to the Bar at Lincoln’s Inn. Dr. Kai returned to Hong Kong where he practiced medicine until in 1882, he turned his attention to the law. He founded the Alice Memorial Hospital in memory of his English wife. A knighthood followed in 1912 for his part in founding the Chinese Medical College, the forerunner of the Hong Kong University.
Captain Harry Abbott
In 1914 Messrs. Kai, Tack and others had formed a partnership to reclaim land from the shallow waters of the bay. Their sole interest was to develop the land as a garden estate. Their interest in the reclamation came to an end when Kai Tack Land Investment Company Limited failed and it reverted to Crown control. I labour this point merely to question why Kai Tak became the name of the airport. Surely the first aeronautical tenant, a 24 year old soldier-of-fortune named Captain Harry Abbott earned that distinction, and the more deserving name seems to be Abbott Airport.
Yet, history records that the Abbott School of Aviation’s address was Kowloon Aviation Field with Captain Harry Abbott its proprietor. A reporter nicknamed him Crazy Harry for a wing to wing stepping stunt without a parachute. If I had been Harry I would have resented that nickname. A crazy person follows an action without considering the consequences whereas Harry had thoroughly calculated that stunt to a finite degree. He knew the result of failure - his life and a beautiful young family. Yet, the reporter had to sell papers and Harry was both showman and businessman, so doubtless the nickname helped pay the bills! Several of the pilots of the day described Kowloon Aviation Field as of postage stamp size while others considered that definition was a gross exaggeration. The lard factory and the raw sewage floating in the adjacent nullah produced a fragrance that defies description, and many early travellers still remember that olfactory welcome. One story has an English-born comedian with the good fortune to resemble the author, taking a deep breath after disembarking. In disgust he gasped - What is that ghastly stench? A friend replied that it was shit. The comedian observed - That I realise but what have they done to it?
Yet, history records that the Abbott School of Aviation’s address was Kowloon Aviation Field with Captain Harry Abbott its proprietor. A reporter nicknamed him Crazy Harry for a wing to wing stepping stunt without a parachute. If I had been Harry I would have resented that nickname. A crazy person follows an action without considering the consequences whereas Harry had thoroughly calculated that stunt to a finite degree. He knew the result of failure - his life and a beautiful young family. Yet, the reporter had to sell papers and Harry was both showman and businessman, so doubtless the nickname helped pay the bills! Several of the pilots of the day described Kowloon Aviation Field as of postage stamp size while others considered that definition was a gross exaggeration. The lard factory and the raw sewage floating in the adjacent nullah produced a fragrance that defies description, and many early travellers still remember that olfactory welcome. One story has an English-born comedian with the good fortune to resemble the author, taking a deep breath after disembarking. In disgust he gasped - What is that ghastly stench? A friend replied that it was shit. The comedian observed - That I realise but what have they done to it?
Kai Tack 1928
Left: The airfield shows the mat-shed hangars along the evil smelling nullah. The crane, at bottom left, lifted seaplanes out of the water. The white building at top right is the officers’ mess. The planes are probably Fairey Flycatchers of the Fleet Air Arm. (Photo: Papa Moss, DCA, H.K.)