香港社會發展回顧項目 The Hong Kong Heritage Project

07/09/2026

【太平地氈70週年歷史系列之互惠共榮】

前文提到，太平的生產團隊多數來自大埔區內的漁農家庭。在這個農工混合的社區，生產節奏不單由交貨期決定，員工在捕漁及農耕季節往往需要請假回家幫忙，管理層以人性化管理令員工得以兼顧工廠工作和傳統家庭作業。前任太平經理何達榮Niven說：「大家有商有量嘅，我哋（工廠）冇佢（員工）又唔得，佢冇我哋又係唔得，你冇理由企硬，企硬咪大家冇。」

需要趕貨時，員工亦樂意一起加班拼搏，「如果你落唔到嗰個船期，你再等第二個船期好耐，人哋嗰邊收唔到貨，就要賠錢吖嘛，人哋嗰間酒店又要趕住開張。」

多年來並肩作戰，員工間培養出深厚感情；而且不少太平工匠「揼低書包」第一份工就是造地氈，太平盛載著他們一起走過的青蔥年華，他們放假也會結伴同樂，去旅行、去大食會，甚至打風也不回家，會去同事家聚會。一條條冷線編織出的除了地氈，更是一段段真摰友誼；冷線有時亦成了紅線，成就了好些良緣。

如一眾員工所說：「吸引大家留低嘅唔係福利，係感情，佢唔搬廠，我哋都唔走呀，因為我哋係好開心。」

圖一：1964年太平地氈的大埔廠房門外（黃業祥先生提供）
圖二：1974年4月太平畫部 （鄧錦娥女士提供）
圖三：1979年1月員工大食會（鄧錦娥女士提供）

口述歷史訪問
I490 何達榮 (04.05.2016)
I491 李少娟; 鄧錦娥; 羅彩娥; 巫瑞娥 (21.09.2016)

【Tai Ping Carpets’ 70th Anniversary Series｜Standing Together, Thriving Together】

Many of Tai Ping employees, as mentioned in the previous post, came from fishing and farming families in the Tai Po area. For an industrial establishment to succeed in an agricultural community, production schedules should take into consideration agricultural calendar. During fishing or harvest seasons, workers often needed to take leave to help their families, and management thus adopted a flexible, people-first approach that allowed them to balance factory work with traditional livelihoods. Former Tai Ping manager Niven Ho recalled: “we had to understand each other and work it out together. We (the factory) couldn’t do without the employees, and they couldn’t do without us. There was no point in being rigid. If you stood your ground, everyone would lose.”

When orders were urgent, employees were also willing to go the extra mile. "If we missed a shipping deadline, it would be a long wait for the next one. That means the customer wouldn't receive the goods on time, we could be liable for compensation, and the hotel expecting the carpets might have their opening schedule disrupted."

Years of working side by side forged deep bonds among the employees. For many, Tai Ping was their very first job after leaving school, carrying them through their formative years and becoming the backdrop to countless memories of their youth. Off work, they spent their free time together, travelled together and went on picnics together. When typhoons hit, instead of going home, they would gather at a colleague's place. What emerged from those strands of yarn was more than just carpets. They wove lasting friendships, and at times, love stories.

As the employees put it: "What kept everyone here wasn't the benefits, it was the bonds. If the factory hadn't relocated, none of us would have left, because we were truly happy here!"

Image 1: At the entrance of Tai Ping Carpet’s factory in Tai Po, 1964 (Donated by Mr Wong Yip-cheung)
Image 2: Tai Ping’s Drawing Department, April 1974 (Donated by Ms Tang Kam-ngo)
Image 3: Staff gathering, January 1979 (Donated by Ms Tang Kam-ngo)

Oral history interviews
I490 Niven Ho (04.05.2016)
I491 Lee Siu-kuen; Tang Kam-ngo; Rosa Law; Mo Shui-ngo (21.09.2016)

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

19/08/2026

【太平地氈70週年歷史系列之匠心獨具】

女性是太平地氈生產團隊的核心，她們主要來自廠房附近、大埔區內來自農家和漁家，1970年加入太平的吳燕萍Pinky（圖一）便是典型例子。她出身於大埔一個農民家庭，13歲加入太平織部做「養成工」，即今日的學徒，之後一直留在太平至90年代廠房北移。

地氈花款先由畫部和刷畫部將設計圖制作成一比一模板，然後用它將地毯圖案精確地轉移到地毯的底襯上（圖二、三），再交到織部由師傅「起花」勾勒花型、師姐「綑花」制定花色，再由養成工填色。

用了十年時間，Pinky由養成工晉升為師傅，負責較複雜、高難度的花紋。「我哋織嗰啲掛畫呢，會係將幾組顏色組合埋一齊，好似我哋溝水彩咁。有陰陽、深淺色要靠師傅嘅功夫，同一張地氈，兩個人織，兩個人嘅感覺唔同，你織出嚟個效果都唔一樣，因為睇你個思維，你自己個眼光去配套吖嘛。」Pinky十分享受這份挑戰。

「靚嘅地氈，要你自己真係要用心去做。有啲人比較撈撈哨哨，咁我哋好鬼死奄尖嘅，織咗兩針唔靚又再織過，即係睇你要求囉。」Pinky說道。

口述歷史訪問I302吳燕萍 (30.06.2009)

【Tai Ping Carpets’ 70th Anniversary Series｜An artisan’s touch】

Women formed the core of Tai Ping’s workforce. Many came from nearby boat or farming families. Pinky Ng (Image 1) was one of them. Born into a farmer’s family in Tai Po, Pinky joined Tai Ping in 1970 at the age of 13.

Pinky started off as a junior apprentice in the tufting department. Before the carpet piece reached her department, the drawing department would prepare a full-size outline tracing from design sketch with projection for carpet stencil and perforation (Images 2 and 3). The piece would then be ready for tufting. The master of a tufting unit would frame out the pattern, while senior apprentices would outline the different shades for junior apprentices, like Pinky, to fill in the colours.

After 10 years of hard work, Pinky gradually rose to the rank of master and was tasked with more intricate patterns. She loved it as a challenge. “For murals of many different shades, we had to mix wools of three or four or more hues. It’s just like blending watercolours! It required acute eyes for observation and lots of patience. And since observations by different artisans could be diverse, products of the same pattern by different hands could carry different aura. Carpet making is a lively work to me.”

“To make a fine piece of carpet, one has to put heart into the it. Some people are a bit sloppy in their work, but we are extremely meticulous—if the stitches don't look right, we unravel them and weave them all over again. Quality really comes down to one’s standards,” Pinky says.

Oral history interview I302 Pinky Ng (30.06.2009)

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

06/08/2026

【太平地氈70週年歷史系列之手工簇絨槍的誕生】

坊間有不少手作簇絨地氈工作坊都用到簇絨槍，大家又知不知簇絨槍是因應香港昔日勞工條件而發展出來的？

太平地氈開初採用傳統天津式純手結式製作，管理層很快就發現不能將天津的一套直接搬到香港，除了因為純手結製作生產效率低，亦因為本地勞工相對見多識廣，就業選擇較多，手結工序對他們來說高重覆性且沉悶，使員工流失率高企。

有見及此，工程師出身的太平地氈總經理葉元章參考了美國單針衣車造地氈的方法和家用簇絨工具，再加入自身的工程知識，開發了新的割絨織針，後來再配上摩打，太平第一把手提電動簇絨槍就此誕生。

初代織槍重十二磅，相當笨重，操作起上來十分吃力，靈活度有限，主要由男工操作用於簡單填色。其後一批員工在總經理的帶領下，針對生產工序、產品設計和職工的需要，並參考外國經驗，繼續改良簇絨槍。織槍重量由十二磅大幅減至數磅，太平於1973年成功為新版織槍申請專利，員工亦因此得到獎金，但獎金反而是其次，榮譽對他們來說更值得銘記。

織槍技術上的突破和不斷改良使生產效率大大提高，而且能應付複雜精細的圖案設計，推進了太平的產品創新和業務發展。自1950年代荷里活星光大道中國劇院的訂單，太平客戶群逐步擴展至世界各地的皇家室居和頂級酒店，這把小小的簇絨槍可謂助不可沒。

圖片(1)：港督葛量洪在葉元章陪同下操作簇絨槍
圖片(2)：改良版織槍更輕巧

口述歷史訪問
I048 葉元章 (03.12.2007)
I508 太平地氈退休員工 (20.04.2018)
I514 黃業祥 (17.05.2018)
【Tai Ping Carpets’ 70th Anniversary Series | First Hand Tufting Gun】

Tufting workshop is increasingly popular as a leisure activity. Did you know the first handheld tufting gun was developed in response to Hong Kong’s unique labour conditions decades ago?

Tai Ping Carpets in its early days adopted Tianjin-style hand-knotted technique in its production. It didn’t take long for management to realise that this approach couldn’t simply be replicated in Hong Kong. Not only was hand-knotting slow and inefficient, but local workers were generally more sophisticated with more job alternatives. The repetitive, monotonous process led to high staff turnover.

To address this challenge, Tai Ping’s General Manager, Anthony Yeh — an engineer by training — drew inspiration from the American single-needle carpet sewing machine as well as household tufting tools. Combining those ideas with his own engineering expertise, he developed a new cut-pile tufting needle. Later, after adding a motor, a manually held, electric-driven tufting gun was born.

The first-generation tufting gun weighed 12 pounds. It was extremely bulky and difficult to maneuver. It was mainly operated by male workers for simple colour-filling tasks. Led by Yip and guided by overseas practices, a team of dedicated staff continued to refine the tool based on production needs, design requirements and artisans’ feedback. As a result, the tufting gun’s weight was dramatically reduced from 12 pounds to just a few pounds. In 1973, Tai Ping successfully obtained a patent for the new version. The team who contributed to the innovation received a special bonus, though many remembered the honour more than the monetary reward.

These technical breakthroughs — and the constant improvements that followed — greatly boosted production efficiency and enabled the most intricate designs, driving Tai Ping’s product innovation and business growth. From the commission for the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in the 1950s, Taiping's clientele gradually expanded to royal residences and leading luxury hotels around the world. This small but revolutionary tufting gun played a vital role in that remarkable journey.

Photo (1): Governor Grantham operating a tufting gun with the company of Anthony Yeh (left).
Photo (2): Modified tufting guns were much lighter

Oral history interviews
I048: Anthony Yeh (03.12.2007)
I508: Tai Ping Carpets Retired Workers (20.04.2018)
I514: WONG Yip-cheung (17.05.2018)

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

30/07/2026

【 Tradition Well Served — 香港上海大酒店160周年】

香港上海大酒店160 年的待客之道，由嘉道理家族的願景信念與歷代員工的付出奉獻共同塑造。透過這部紀錄片，我們一同探索這個以傳承與創新為綱，心繫根源、放眼世界的故事。

影片連結🔗https://youtu.be/yDx3d4u1zWI?si=XGZRnVWzaaTYiELY

【Tradition Well Served - 160th anniversary of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels】

Celebrating 160 years of hospitality at The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, shaped by the vision of the Kadoorie family and the dedication of generations of staff. Discover through this documentary a story of roots and horizons, guided by heritage and innovation.

Video link🔗https://youtu.be/yDx3d4u1zWI?si=XGZRnVWzaaTYiELY

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

Step into the story of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels (HSH) and t...

17/07/2026

【太平地氈70週年歷史系列】

1950年代香港工業起步發展，玩具、鐘錶等行業的發迹歷程大家耳熟能詳。香港製造的地氈亦在這時期蜚聲國際。太平地氈植根香港、放眼國際，屹立至今已七十年，產品行銷世界不同角落，是值得香港人引以為傲的地氈品牌。

我們將運用口述歷史，講述地氈製作技術的發展、織造工匠對質量的追求、員工之間的連繫和銷售成功背後的精神。

太平地氈由嘉道理兄弟伙同友人於1956年創立。當時正值香港人口急增，就業是社會難題。嘉道理兄弟得悉優質地氈在美國大有市場，儘管他們對生產地氈一竅不通，但認為地氈製造既可促進就業，亦能帶來商機 ，一試無妨。

太平的小作坊誕生於屯門兩層高的張園(今妙沙寺位置)(圖一：P-TPC-EB-003)。1950年代末開始，太平發展蓬勃，遂在大埔吐露港北岸購地建廠，領先香港工業化的步伐。大埔廠房1960年落成，是區內唯一一間大型工廠(圖二：P-TPC-EB-006)。

隨著工業北移，太平的香港生產線於1992年完成使命。除了位於廈門的主要基地，太平於現尼泊爾和法國皆建立了生產作坊，展廳及銷售辦事處已遍佈世界各大城市。

圖三：1970年代太平工匠在工作平台上織製地氈 (P-TPC-EB-008)

【Tai Ping Carpets’ 70th Anniversary Series】

Hong Kong’s industrial boom in the 1950s brought local products such as toys and watches to the international markets. Less well known, but equally remarkable, Hong Kong-made carpets also quickly gained global recognition. Rooted in Hong Kong with a global vision, Tai Ping Carpets has stood the test of time for seventy years, bringing beauty to different spaces around the world and becoming a brand Hong Kong people are proud to call its own.

Making use of our oral history collection, we shall explore the stories of technological advancement in carpet making, artisans’ pursuit of quality, the unique community of workers and the spirit behind the sales success.

Tai Ping Carpets was founded by the Kadoorie brothers along with a group of friends in 1956, at a time when employment opportunities were much needed for the surging population in Hong Kong. Recognising the employment needs at home and the vast market potential in the United States, they believe a carpet factory could meet both needs. As they later recalled, they ventured into the industry “in a complete state of ignorance in manufacturing carpets”.

Production commenced on a very small scale in Cheung Yuen in a two-storey villa in Tuen Mun (where the Miu Fat Buddhist Monastery now stands) (Image 1: P-TPC-EB-003). The company soon flourished and in the late 1950s acquired land in Tai Po on the northern shore of Tolo Harbour for the construction of a purpose-built factory. Inaugurated in 1960, Tai Ping was the first factory in the area, leading the way in Hong Kong’s industrialisation (Image 2: P-TPC-EB-006).

With the wave of factory relocations to the Chinese Mainland, Tai Ping ceased its Hong Kong production lines in 1992. Today, carpets are made in Xiamen, Nepal and France, whereas its network of showrooms and sales offices has been expanded to many major cities of the world.

Image 3: Tai Ping artisans working on a suspended platform, carving and tufting, 1970s (P-TPC-EB-008)

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

02/07/2026

【嘉道理農場暨植物園70週年歷史系列】

除了前文提到的賀理士嘉道理，嘉道理農業輔助會（KAAA）和其後嘉道理農場暨植物園（KFBG）的工作和發展亦有賴不少人在不同崗位盡心盡力，今日園內有設施以他們命名，紀念他們的重要貢獻。。

KAAA的創辦人除了嘉道理兄弟，還有政府漁農處的兩位官員胡禮和胡挺生。現時每日出產農場鮮雞蛋的📍「胡禮先生紀念雞舍及展覽中心」和鐘花櫻桃和梅花的觀賞熱點📍「胡挺生先生紀念亭」就是為紀念他們而命名。由開發白牛石山谷，到之後KAAA各項計劃的管理，兩位貢獻良多。胡禮（圖一）早期協助KAAA推行牲畜繁殖計劃。胡挺生（圖二中）擔任場長30年，更是KAAA和農民之間重要的溝通橋樑。

1960年代，農業援助需求減少，嘉道理農場開始進行園景建設，由園藝家Walter Kerr葛先生（圖三右二）規劃，在斜坡上興建植物園區，設施設計上盡量保持原有景觀，不作不必要的砍伐。📍「葛先生花園」最初用作園藝展示，今日成為許多稀有和受保護物種的保育地。

1950年代中開始記錄香港野生蘭花的白理桃女士（圖四左二），在70年代協助KFBG成立蘭花谷，畢生致力本地蘭花保育。以她命名的📍「白理桃蘭花保育園」在蘭花盛放的時節是絕佳的觀賞點。

下次到嘉道理農場遊覽，不訪探索一下這些景點，感念前人為香港及大自然付出過的努力。

【KFBG’s 70th Anniversary Series】

Supporting Sir Horace Kadoorie’s vision for the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association (KAAA), later Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, were a number of dedicated individuals playing different roles. Today, facilities across KFBG bear their names honoring their invaluable contribution to the Farm.

Besides the Kadoorie brothers, the founders of KAAA included two officers from the Agriculture and Fisheries Department: Norman Wright and Woo Ting Sang. 📍The Norman Wright Memorial Chicken Display, which now produces fresh farm eggs every day, and the 📍T.S. Woo Memorial Pavilion, a popular spot for viewing Taiwan Cherry and Flowering Apricot, commemorate their efforts in transforming the Pak Ngau Shek valley into an experimental farm and managing KAAA’s various programmes. Norman Wright (Photo 1) was instrumental in developing livestock breeding programme, while Woo Ting Sang (Photo 2, centre) served as Farm Manager for 30 years and acted as important bridge between KAAA and the farmers.

In the 1960s, as the need for agricultural aid declined, Kadoorie Farm began landscape development, led by horticulturist Walter Kerr (Photo 3, second from right). The botanic garden areas he designed on the slopes, now known as📍 Walter Kerr Garden, were carefully planned to preserve the original landscape and to avoid unnecessary tree felling. Originally used for horticultural display, the area has become a conservation zone for many rare and protected species.

Gloria Barretto (Photo 4, second from left) who began documenting Hong Kong’s wild orchids in the mid-1950s, helped establish Orchid Haven at the Farm in the 1970s. 📍 The Gloria Barretto Orchid Sanctuary celebrates her lifelong devotion to the conservation of local orchid species and is a wonderful place to visit when the orchids are in bloom.

Next time when you visit the Kadoorie Farm, take a moment to explore these spots – and remember the people whose efforts helped Hong Kong and shaped its natural heritage.

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

16/06/2026

【☑️香港國際檔案週International Archives Week 2026】

由香港檔案學會主辦的「香港國際檔案周2026」於6月6日(六)順利舉行，香港社會發展回顧項目的檔案管理人員和義工朋友很高興透過歷史檔案博覽這平台，跟參觀者分享檔案背後的故事，以及保存這些珍貴的文獻遺產所需的專業知識和幕後工作。市民對檔案的關注和歷史的熱情令人鼓舞。

明年再會！

HKHP Archive was delighted to participate as exhibitor in the Archives Expo of International Archives Week 2026 on 6th June (Saturday), organised by the Hong Kong Archives Society. HKHP’s archivists and volunteers, our Fans of Heritage, had the pleasure of sharing with the public the stories behind our collections and the meticulous work that go into the preservation of such precious documentary heritage. We were deeply encouraged by the public’s interest in archives and their passion for history.

Hope to see you again next year!

Photo credit:

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

05/06/2026

【香港國際檔案週International Archives Week 2026】

香港社會發展回顧項目將參與由 香港檔案學會 Hong Kong Archives Society 主辦的 #香港國際檔案週2026 歷史檔案博覽，明天（週六）聯同21個檔案及文化機構，在香港藝術發展局展藝館和公眾分享自家藏品精選，涵蓋今年70週年的太平地氈和嘉道理農場暨植物園、125週年的中電、以及160週年的香港上海大酒店集團，到時見！

📅2026年6月6日（六）
🕒時間：上午10時至下午6時
📍香港藝術發展局展藝館（香港黃竹坑業勤街39號Landmark South 地下高層(UG/F)）
🎟️免費入場

The Hong Kong Heritage Project is excited to participate in the , organised by the Hong Kong Archives Society. Together with 21 archival and cultural institutions, HKHP will share our highlights from our archival holdings, telling the story behind the 70-year-old Tai Ping Carpets and Kadoorie Farm and Botanical Garden, 125-year-old CLP and 160-year-old Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels. See you at Archives Expo at HKADC SHOWCASE this Saturday!

📅6 June 2026 (Saturday)
🕒Time: 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
📍HKADC SHOWCASE (UG/F, Landmark South, 39 Yip Kan Street, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong)
🎟️Free Admission

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

19/05/2026

【嘉道理農場暨植物園70週年歷史系列】

在嘉道理農業輔助會的歷史中，賀理士嘉道理無疑是靈魂人物。賀理士自少熱愛農業及園藝，戰後著力參與新界鄉郊發展等各項公共事務，經常與農民接觸，被譽為「新界先生」。

農耕從來都是極不穩定的行業，農民承受失收、蟲害、疫病等風險，遇上天災更隨時血本無歸。故除了前文提過的農業援助計劃，輔助會更在天災過後為農民提供特別支援。一名口述歷史受訪者憶述，1962年颱風溫黛吹襲，「一場颱風嚟，乜都掃晒，嗰時真係攞五蚊去買菜種都冇」，輔助會當時派發菜種和肥料，使菜農得以恢復生產。

一名昔日農場職員提到，賀理士對職工毫無架子，不管職位高低，他總是首先開口打招呼那位。有時雨天山路不好走，他會載年長伙計回家，「鄉下婆滿腳泥或者捲高褲腳又濕身，啲阿婆唔識開佢度車門，佢能夠自去落去開門俾嗰啲阿婆落車，嗱呢一樣呢，稍為有啲身家嘅，未必做得到。」

好幾位口述歷史受訪者，都異口同聲憶述賀理士派贈提子乾的事跡。賀理士認為提子乾能為孩童補充葡萄糖和維他命等營養素，他在往農場的路上，不時派給沿途見到的每一個小朋友，據說不少兒童因此認得賀理士的座駕。

嘉道理農業輔助會的大小計劃以至賀理士微小的關懷舉措，都是出於以人為本的善意，同時體現對人與環境之間連繫的關注。在貧窮和缺乏社會保障的時代中被扶一把，憨厚的農民視之為再造之恩，一生感銘於心。

【KFBG’s 70th Anniversary Series】

In the history of the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association, Horace Kadoorie had no doubt been an irreplaceable driving force. Being passionate about agriculture and horticulture from a young age and deeply devoted to public service particularly Hong Kong’s rural development post-WWII, he worked closely with farmers and earned the affectionate title “Mr New Territories.”

Farming was always uncertain, with constant risks from weather, pests, disease, and natural disasters. One oral history interviewee recalled Typhoon Wanda in 1962: “One typhoon swept everything away—we didn’t even have five dollars to buy seeds.” The Association promptly responded by distributing seeds and fertiliser to help farmers recover.

Former staff remembered Horace as humble and approachable—he greeted everyone first, regardless of rank. On rainy days, when roads became slippery, he would drive staff home himself. “Those old village women, with muddy feet or wet clothes, didn’t know how to open his car door. He would get out and open it for them. Anyone with some wealth might not be willing to do that.”

Quite a few interviewees had vivid recollection of Horace giving out raisins. Horace thought that raisins, being full of vitamins and glucose, are healthier treats for children and handed out raisins very often along his way to the farm. It was also said that many children recognised Horace’s car because of these little snacks.

Both KAAA’s various initiatives and Sir Hoarce’ small acts of kindness were driven by a simple, genuine care about people and their connection to the land. For the impoverished farmers struggling in a time without much social welfare, the timely help given was a life saver for which they remained externally grateful.

#香港社會發展回顧項目 #中電鐘樓文化館

18/05/2026

See you all on 6 June!