No. 3.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
at a Meeting held on the 19th December, 1907.
PRESENT:
The Honourable the Director of Public Works (WILLIAM CHATHAM, C.M.G.), Chairman.
the Colonial Treasurer, (ALLEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON).
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:
Mr. EDBERT ANSGAR HEWETT.
Mr. EDWARD OSBORNE.
Mr. HENRY KESWICK.
Harbour of Refuge for Small Craft. (C.S.O. 9647/1903.)
The Chairman read a report by Mr. BOULTON, dated 28th September, 1907, on the pro- posed Harbour of Refuge at Mongkoktsui and laid the plans and diagrams accompanying that report before the Committee. He also read the minutes in the above paper bearing on the report and a minute by the Harbour Master, dated 15th November, 1907, recommending that a harbour of refuge should be constructed at West Point instead of at Mongkoktsui.
The Mongkoktsui and the Harbour Master's West Point Schemes were shown on a chart which was laid before the Committee.
Mr. BOULTON's report on the Mongkoktsui Scheme stated that:-
(a.) The construction of the breakwater, 4,000 feet long, could not be carried out piecemeal so as to afford a sheltered area of inoderate extent in the first instance which could afterwards be extended by adding to the break water, because the enclosed area would remain dangerously exposed from certain quarters until the whole scheme was completed.
(b.) The only way of curtailing the expenditure, consistent with the provision of a harbour which would be safe under all conditions, was to modify the scheme entirely, making it of a much less extensive nature than had hitherto been. proposed and an alternative scheme was shown having a breakwater 1,940 feet long.
(c.) The cost of the scheme hitherto proposed, affording a sheltered area of 166
acres, was estimated at $1,540,000.
(d.) The cost of the modified scheme, affording a sheltered area of only 60 acres,
was estimated at $883,800.
(e.) The carrying out of the modified scheme would probably involve serious
questions with Marine Lot-owners in the vicinity.
The Chairman pointed out that, owing to the limited area of shelter afforded by the modified scheme, boats would be likely to make for it whenever storm-warnings were hoisted whereas the original scheme would afford such ample space that boat-owners could safely reckon on finding room available for their craft however late they might delay seeking shelter.
The Harbour Master's proposal was to construct two breakwaters off Kennedy Town, having a combined length of 4,250 feet and enclosing an area of about 82 acres.
The Chairman stated that the scheme would afford about 75 acres of sheltered water and would cost about $1,943,000.
Mr. KESWICK enquired what was the estimated cost of dredging out Causeway Bay.