127
* 121. Moreover, in order to secure the future housing of persons of British race we recommend that the Government, in addition to the measures suggested in paragraphs 118 and 120 of this Report, do mark out as an European Reservation, and develope to the fullest possible extent for occu- pation by British Residents, the Kowloon foothills together with the hills behind, which are marked green on the plan of the Colony (Enclosure No. 7). We recommend that the section within the red dotted lines be developed first by the Government, seeing that this section contains a tract of land, at a height of 50 to 450 feet above sea level, the eastern portion of which is capable of easy development and laying out for building purposes. In fact a part of such eastern portion was formerly suggested by the Government as a suitable site for the Kowloon Hospital. Any such Reservations would, of course, he subject to any rights of any present owners of land.
* 122. In order, however, that building may be encouraged to the full, in the section within the red dotted lines, and that a successful British settle- ment may grow up, we recommend that the Government take all the follow- ing essential steps, as promptly as is practicable :-
(1) Adopt the advice contained in paragraph 51 as to the development
by the Government of new areas, namely :—
"To give greater encouragement to pioneers by constructing roads, sewers, mains, training of nullahs, et cetera, at Government expense in new areas, even when the nun- ber of houses to be built is small in the first instance." Amongst the etceteras required are electric light and water. Adequate Police Protection is another obvious need.
(2) Mark out promptly, and publish particulars of, the dimensions of
lots which are available for building.
(3) Sell such lots at a cheap rate, without auction, for occupation
by persons of British race.
(4) Encourage private persons approved of by the Governor in Council to build for their own occupation upon the terms set out in paragraph 46 of this Report.
(5) Encourage by easy terms firms and companies located in Kowloon to build houses for their British employees upon the higher levels, on the principle of the Taikoo buildings in the gap above Quarry Bay.
(6) If houses are in future required for Government Servants stationed
at Kowloon, build such houses within the area in question. (7) Encourage cheap and efficient transport by motor bus and ferry to
Kowloon City.
(8) Construct a through tram from the Star Ferry to 450 feet above sea-level, with its terminus at some convenient spot in the black lines section shown in Enclosure 7, with an adequate service of trams, including some non-stop trams, at certain hours of the day.
Reservation of Kowloon Foothills and hills.
Prompt Development of Kowloon foothills
necessary,
Commission- ers favour reservations
* 123. We desire to add that we are in favour of reservations all round for any races, Chinese, Portuguese, Indians and others desiring such reservations, and preferring to live amongst their own people; and the above conditions 1, all round. 2, 3, and 4 in paragraph 122 should apply, mutatis mutandis, to such Reserva- tions also.
* 124. We accordingly recommend that the Government should, in rural districts, grant land, as reservations, at a cheap rate without auction to permanent residents of all races who desire to live among their own kind with a clause to restrain resale or alienation to persons not of the same race,