No. 390.
HONGKONG.
REMOVAL OF CAPE D'AGUILAR LIGHT TO GREEN ISLAND.
275
No.
1901
Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His
Excellency the Governor.
GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, 25th August, 1900.
SIR,
to.
I have the honour to forward copy of an extract from the Harbour Master's report for the year 1892 in which he originally suggested the improvement in lighting the approaches to this harbour by the interchange of the lights referred The estimated cost of removing Cape d'Aguilar Light to Green Island and the latter light to Cape Collinson having been ascertained to be $5,600 and $7,000 respectively, owing to the necessity of reconstructing the towers at both places to make them suitable for the lights which were designed for different elevations as is shewn in the attached paper of descriptive particulars, I took the opinion of the Chamber of Commerce as to whether the expenditure involved would be justified by the advantage gained.
2. In their reply of the 10th instant, a copy of which I append, they stated that after having obtained the opinion of experts they believed the advantages would greatly outweigh the cost, and further suggested the substitution of revolv- ing or flash lights for fixed ones (which the lights it is intended to use are) provided the cost involved were not excessive.
3. I attach a copy of a report on this suggestion by the Acting Harbour Master, who is in favour of the proposal, but before taking further steps in the matter I think it would be well to consult Captain RUMSEY, who is now in England. If he is in favour of the substitution of the lights suggested by Mr. BASIL TAYLOR I have to ask that you will obtain the opinion of Messrs. CHANCE BROTHERS of Birmingham, the makers of the lights, as to the feasibility and cost of converting the lights.
4. In the meantime I shall submit with the Estimates a sum to cover the cost of the construction of a new tower, 200 feet above sea level, on Green Island, to take the D'Aguilar Light.
5. I do not propose to recommend that the work of shifting the Green Island Light to Cape Collinson should be proceeded with next year; and the placing of the Collinson Light at Kowloon Point is probably not now necessary.
If it is not found to be necessary the light could be sold, and it might be well to ascertain from Messrs. CHANCE whether it would be worth sending the apparatus to England for sale or whether they would allow this Government anything for it.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient, humble Servant,
HENRY A. BLAKE,
Governor.
The Right Honourable
JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN, M.P.,
&c.,
Sc.,
&c.