Paper trail:
The Public Records Office exhibition spotlights key issues from bygone days, including water rationing and a cholera outbreak, and re-introduces familiar characters Lap Sap Chung and Miss Ping On.
Paper trail:
The Public Records Office exhibition spotlights key issues from bygone days, including water rationing and a cholera outbreak, and re-introduces familiar characters Lap Sap Chung and Miss Ping On.
Name and shame:
This Sing Pao clipping from March 11, 1973, lists names and addresses of those who were prosecuted for littering and the amount of fine they received.
Name and shame:
This Sing Pao clipping from March 11, 1973, lists names and addresses of those who were prosecuted for littering and the amount of fine they received.
Notable floats:
A grand parade along Nathan Road during the Festival of Hong Kong in 1969 attracted throngs.
Notable floats:
A grand parade along Nathan Road during the Festival of Hong Kong in 1969 attracted throngs.
H2O row:
Children queue for water at a public standpipe when water restrictions were imposed in 1963.
H2O row:
Children queue for water at a public standpipe when water restrictions were imposed in 1963.
Limited supply:
Different coloured water ration cards for residents in Kowloon Tsai Squatter Area were used to differentiate the villages.
Limited supply:
Different coloured water ration cards for residents in Kowloon Tsai Squatter Area were used to differentiate the villages.
Popular presenter:
Miss Ping On government posters published from 1959 onwards provided practical tips to improve hygiene habits.
Popular presenter:
Miss Ping On government posters published from 1959 onwards provided practical tips to improve hygiene habits.
Backwards glance:
Government Records Service Archivist Jessica Lau says the exhibits help arouse seniors’ memories and offer the younger generation a glimpse of the city’s history.
Backwards glance:
Government Records Service Archivist Jessica Lau says the exhibits help arouse seniors’ memories and offer the younger generation a glimpse of the city’s history.
API display stirs memories
January 12, 2014
For a glimpse into Hong Kong’s bygone days, visit the Hong Kong Public Records Building in Kwun Tong. A display of government publicity materials from the 1950s to the ‘70s recalls some of the pressing issues during those dynamic decades, including water rationing and a cholera outbreak.
To convey key messages and promote government policies, the Information Services Department prepared countless Announcements in the Public Interest, or APIs, posters and other materials. Some of the best examples are now on show. They are valuable for historical research, but also refresh the older generations’ memories while introducing the younger generation to a slice of Hong Kong history.
Traditional cartoon figure Lap Sap Chung - or Litterbug, in English - features prominently in the exhibition. The star of the 1970s’ Keep Hong Kong Clean campaign was meant to be repulsive, but the green, long-snouted monster with red spots and a forked tail looked almost endearingly naughty. It rapidly became a local icon.
In an API for the campaign broadcast in 1972, a dramatic narration urged viewers to pursue the Litterbug, and put trash in its proper place. The underlying message was that everyone loves a clean Hong Kong. It also triggered an enduring love affair between Hong Kong people and their anti-litter crusader.
The campaign began with a “name and shame” offensive: The names and addresses of those prosecuted for violating the cleaning ordinance were prominently published in newspapers. This provided a solid impetus for them to clean up their acts.
Celebrity bolsters message
Local actress Lily Leung lent her voice to narrate an earlier educational API from 1963 describing key measures to adopt in the home to prevent cholera - an illness plaguing the city at that time. Those most at risk of getting the disease were poor, under-nourished people living in unsanitary conditions.
“In the 1960s, Hong Kong faced a severe cholera problem. Inviting a celebrity like Lily Leung to teach precautions to take against the disease could have a greater effect,” Government Records Service Archivist Jessica Lau explained.
Historic records
Another display features the 1969 debut of the Festival of Hong Kong. Its purpose was simply to encourage people to enjoy themselves. Streets and buildings were festooned with decorations and lights, while many free performances - of acrobatics, dancing and Chinese opera - were staged in the districts. The event culminated in a grand parade of floats in Nathan Road. The festival was held every two years, but was suspended after 1973 as the global oil crisis started to take its toll on the city’s economy.
In the 1950s and ‘60s, Hong Kong experienced a serious water shortage, requiring water rationing. The Government used posters to explain the problem and help hit home the message to conserve this precious resource.
In 1963, more than half of the 14 reservoirs were completely dried up and water restrictions were imposed. Water supplies to residential buildings were available for only three hours a day. When the situation worsened, water was available for only four hours - every fourth day.
Different coloured water ration cards, to differentiate the villages in Kowloon Tsai Squatter Area, are shown in the exhibition. Another photo shows children getting water at a public standpipe.
Memories aroused
“I still remember when we went through the water-rationing period. At that time, I needed to carry buckets and queue up for water. People were orderly and helped each other,” said Ms Liu after visiting the exhibition.
“Among the exhibits, I best remembered Lap Sap Chung. I often saw his image when I was a child, and it was mentioned in school, as well,” said Mr Kong, another visitor.
The posters on show feature simple wording and attractive graphics combined to have a strong impact.
“Taking Miss Ping On as an example, she was composed of two Chinese characters - good health and peace. She was used to target households in the resettlement estate, to deliver simple messages on the importance of good hygiene, such as the need to wash hands and keep insects at bay,” Ms Lau said.
To take a trip down memory lane, visit the Hong Kong Public Records Building at 13 Tsui Ping Road in Kwun Tong. It opens Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5.45pm, except on public holidays. To learn more about the exhibition, visit the Government Records Service website.
