TANG Choon Keng 董俊竞
Pioneers of Singapore,
Accession Number 000197
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 4
Total Reels
- Lim How Seng
Interviewer
- 01:51:48
Total Running Time
- Teochew
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 4
Metadata
- 1 Dec 1982
Recording Date
- 00:28:45
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Born in China. Father was a pastor. Family background. Conditions in village school. Received seven years education. Came to Singapore at 21 to sell embroideries. Life on board ship. People in Singapore still wore queues. Lived in church. Itinerant vendor selling embroideries to Europeans. Means of transport.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 4
Metadata
- 1 Dec 1982
Recording Date
- 00:28:58
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Experienced hot weather. Food and lodging. His views on exercise to improve health. Frequent clashes between Hokkiens and Teochews. Why he succeeded while others failed. Remitted money for payment of merchandise from Swatow. Set up department store in River Vallery Road. Went to China to get married. Returned with wife and mother to Singapore. Business as usual during depression. Bought land and built his own shop.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 4
Metadata
- 1 Dec 1982
Recording Date
- 00:29:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Shop nearly requisitioned by Japanese army. Poor business during Japanese Occupation. Local inhabitants made to show their welcome of Japanese soldiers in Japanese propaganda. Reason for buying land in Orchard Road after war. Went to Beijing to view architecture for his new building. Why his shop closes on Sundays. His method of doing business different from that of Robinson's. Why C K Tang Ltd was listed as a public company.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 4
Metadata
- 1 Dec 1982
Recording Date
- 00:24:48
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Different method of management. C K Tang Ltd now managed by two sons and nephews. His philosophy on life, religion and business. Inflation of Japanese currency. Comparison between past and present business trends. Business affected by his workers' strike in 1958. His views on the strikers. Reason for setting up hotel.
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