modation, and the construction of a small theatre occupying a portion of two floors and capable of seating an audience of 100 people.
After further consideration of the previously proposed scheme for mechanizing the fishing fleet, it was felt that in the long run the proposition contained in this scheme-which was to mechanize Chinese junks and advance loans to fishermen wishing to purchase motor engines-was not the best that could be arrived at since due to the nature of its construction the Chinese junk is not really suitable for mechanization. The scheme was therefore cancelled and a new scheme put forward in its place which was approved by H. M. Government in November. Under this scheme a committee of British and Chinese marine architects will be appointed to design two fishing vessels of a new kind, suitable for mechanization and built according to the principles of Chinese ship construction. Models of the two vessels will be tested at Teddington, and if the tests are successful the two vessels will be constructed in Hong Kong and operated by the Fisheries Department for an experimental period of six months, at the end of which period they will be offered for sale. Loans will then be advanced to fishermen who, once they have seen the experimental vessels properly demonstrated, may wish to construct vessels of their own on similar lines.
In November a more detailed application was made for piers in the New Territories, the Secretary of State for the Colonies having advanced £5,000 to enable the Government to carry out borings preparatory to submitting full estimates of the cost of the new piers. If this scheme is approved, it will mean the building of a pier at Tai O, at the west end of Lantao Island, which may be used by ferries, police launches and fishing vessels and will also provide some shelter during typhoons in this exposed harbour. The pier will be connected with the village by a small roadway suitable for tricycles and carts. It is proposed that the rest of the money under this scheme shall be spent on reclaiming a portion of land in Cheung Chau harbour in order to make a more suitable waterfront at this industrious fishing and commercial centre, and on rebuilding the public pier which is in such a dilapidated condition that it is The cost of these not expected to survive another typhoon season. two works, including the road and reclamation, will be in the region of £45,000.
In view of the difficulty of obtaining the services of an irrigation engineer suitable for carrying out the small village irrigation schemes the Government has in mind under its scheme for irrigation in the New Territories, a request was made to the Secretariat of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East for the names of possible candidates for this post.
The scheme for feeder roads in the New Territories has been temporarily dropped as being no longer of immediate necessity in view of the construction by Government in collaboration with the military authorities of two new roads which have greatly improved communications in the New Territories.
•
13