SOUTHSIDE SECRETS

The cursed statues of Douglas Castle

Nicole Slater reveals the mystery behind University Hall

University Hall, currently a residence for students at the University of Hong Kong, has a history which predates the university itself.

Built in 1864 by wealthy Scottish trader Douglas Lapraik as his residence, the building was first known as Douglas Castle. With the newly constructed Pok Fu Lam reservoir providing a fresh water supply, 360 degree panoramic views and its close proximity to the booming trade of the docks, Douglas Castle should have been a residence of great comfort and splendour. Lapraik however was not a well man and subsequently returned to Britain shortly after its completion. missionaries 30 years later, after Hong Kong was declared to be an infected port of the bubonic plague, and made a hasty retreat. Renamed the Nazareth by the French Mission, the building underwent many changes and new wings were added. In 1954, as foreign missionaries were declining, the government decided to grant the building to the University of Hong Kong.

Now named University Hall, the building again underwent major renovations to facilitate its purpose as a student residence. are rumoured to be malevolent towards the Hall’s students: allegedly, students who touch the ‘cursed’ statues fail to graduate.

The threat of academic misery doesn’t seem to be putting too many students off from choosing University Hall as their residence, however, as the colonial relic is still one of the most popular halls of residence amongst prospective students.