I refer to the letter by Jon W. Zinke headlined 'Bay's name query' (South China Morning Post, April 26).
Mr Zinke was taking issue with the explanation for the naming of Repulse Bay given by Jason Wordie in his book, Streets: Exploring Hong Kong Island.
I would refer Mr Zinke to Lieutenant T. B. Collinson's (Royal Engineers) ordnance map of Hong Kong dated 1845 and countersigned by Major Aldrich on October 30, 1845, a copy of which is reproduced in Mapping Hong Kong (Hal Empson; Government Information Services, 1992). Repulse Bay, as well as Sulphur Channel which Mr Zinke mentions, are both clearly named on it.
Thus there is no reason to doubt Jason Wordie's view on the origin of the name of Repulse Bay, which I am sure he has carefully researched.
C. MICHAEL GUILFORD
Yau Yat Chuen