A SNAPSHOT IN TIME

Hong Kong suffered from severe water shortages in the 1960s, with the worst period being 1963 to 1964, following a year of very low rainfall (and exacerbated by HK’s fast population growth at the time).

As a result, water rationing became a part of everyday life. At the height of the crisis, households received a supply of water for only four hours every fourth day. The images here are from 1963, and show a government poster with a water conservation message, and a bunch of upbeat kids collecting their ration. (Source: Public Records Office, Government Records Service.)

This is just one of the tales told in a current exhibition at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum (HKMM). Called “Hong Kong’s Maritime Miracle: The Story of our City since 1945”, the exhibition follows HK’s regeneration after World War II, and includes everything from a motion-sensing game to VR displays and more. It runs until 30 October.

Central Pier 8 | hkmaritimemuseum.org