Sex: | Male |
Birthyear: | 1928 |
Age at Interview: | 83 |
Education: | Primary |
Occupation: | Letter Writer |
Theme: | Community |
Lee Lai was born in 1928 and his hometown was in Panyu of Guangdong Province. In childhood he studied for 7 to 8 years of traditional tutorial school at his hometown, and became involved in the catering trade as an adult. Later, through referral by a relative, he joined the letter writing trade and kept his license by an annual fee of HK$100. From 1964 he began opening a letter writing stall at Yunnan Lane of Yau Ma Tei and has now been in business of nearly 50 years. Some of customers were from outside Yau Ma Tei and had came from all parts of Hong Kong. His stall provided three services: writing letters, filling out forms, and filing tax return. Lee’s letter writing stall was relocated twice. In 1964 when he began his business he set up a stall at Yunnan Lane. Later because of developments at the Lane he relocated to the present site of the Yaumatei Carpark Building. After 7 years, the letter writing stalls including Lee’s were moved to Jade Hawker Bazaar at Gansu Street. He was assigned the No. 8 stall upon drawing lots.