Mr. HEWETT.
Existing Harbour. Causeway Bay should be dredged as proposed by Mr.
KESWICK.
New Harbour.
This should be either at Mongkoktsui or Cheung Sha Wan,- preferably the latter.
Mr. THOMSON.
Existing Harbour. The dredging of Causeway Bay should, if carried out, be an
additional work.
New Harbour. Kennedy Town Scheme is out of the question. No estimate
has been given of the Cheung Sha Wan Scheme.
A report by Mr. BOULTON, dated 3rd January, 1908, reviewing the points raised in the foregoing minutes was then read. It contained the following statements—
Causeway Bay. A comparison of old and new charts showed that no appreciable advance of the foreshore had occurred since the establishment of the Colony. Of the 3 nullahs discharging into the bay, only one drains bare hills which are likely to yield detritus and so produce silting; but this is counteracted by frequent dredging. The large dredgers in the Colony which might possibly be hired were unsuitable for the work suggested as it would be necessary, in order to provide flotation for them, to dredge to a depth far in excess of that specified. Special plant would have to be purchased to carry out the deepening suggested and, assuming that it were disposed of on completion of the work, the cost would probably amount to about $500,000. The removal of all material above the level of low water of Ordinary Spring Tides could be done by manual labour and was estimated to cost about $70,000.
New Harbour. The cost of a breakwater at Cheung Sha Wan, enclosing an area of 166 acres, was estimated roughly at $1,420,000 and, if the shallow areas opposite the ends of the breakwater had not been reclaimed by the time it was carried out, temporary groins would be required to restrict the width of the entrances. The scheme was as shown on a tracing dated 25.7.04 in C.S.O. 9647/1903. A modified scheme to enclose an area of 100 acres at Cheung Sha Wan could be carried out at a cost estimated approximately at $1,200,000. The objection to both these proposals was that they would prevent the carrying out of an extensive reclamation scheme for which the bay was well adapted.
The proposed breakwater at Mongkoktsui was strengthened by the introduction of concrete blocks to a small extent, but otherwise it was of such a type as would be required at Cheung Sha Wan or elsewhere. Mongkoktsui was nearer the centre of the harbour than Cheung Sha Wan, a very important consideration in the case of a sudden storm.
The Chairman read the report of a Public Works Committee meeting held on the 25th October, 1906, at which the various possible sites for a harbour of refuge were considered, the result being that the Mongkok tsui site was unanimously recommended to Government.
After full discussion, the Members present agreed to the following recommendations:--
(a.) In view of the proposed reclamation scheme at Cheung Sha Wan, the Mong- koktsui scheme should be adopted and a condition should be made that the existing trading anchorage off Yaumati is not to be interfered with after the completion of the scheme.
(b.) In view of the great expense involved in carrying out any extensive scheme of dredging at Causeway Bay, which is really unnecessary for the require- ments of the craft seeking refuge there, steps should be taken to provide a shallow depth of water over the area which at present dries at Low Water. This work should be regarded as an urgent one.
The Committee understand that the work recommended in (b.) can be done by
hand at a moderate cost.