128
Encourage. ment of co- operative building.
Concluding remarks.
Acknowledg-
ments.
Tribute of respect.
125. In this connection we would point out that the Chinese have already shown an inclination to live by themselves in the rural districts of the Colony, as may be instanced the projected settlement for Chinese initiated by the Honourable Mr. Chow Shou-son and others near Deep Water Bay; the large settlement of Chinese gentlemen that is being carried out on the lower part of Stubbs Road; and many other Chinese settlements in rural districts, both present and projected.
*126. The Portuguese also are to be congratulated upon the success of their settlement at Ho Mun Tin, and we hope that the Government will encourage similar schemes of co-operative building on their part, and on the part of others.
127. Having now dealt with all the points that seemed to us to have. important bearings on this grave housing problem, it only remains for us to say that whilst it is conceivable that the transfer of the military to less centrally situated land and the completion of the Praya East Reclamation may bring a measure of relief after an interval of some years, we regard it as the duty of the Government to deal vigorously and at once with the present housing shortage, more especially as we find ourselves unable to take the optimistic view that, after so many years of unrest, the neighbouring provinces of China are likely within a short period of time to settle down to such an extent as to relieve this Colony of the stupendous task of housing tens of thousands of Chinese refugees who periodically flock into the Colony from the mainland of China. Furthermore, even if that great desideratum for the trade of this Colony as well as of Kwangtung--a strong and stable Govern- ment at Canton-could be established in the near future, we consider it highly questionable whether, in view of the many past years of unrest in Kwongtung and Kwongsi, rich men from those provinces would abandon the havens of rest which they have made for themselves and their families in Hongkong.
128. Our thanks are due to our numerous correspondents who have made suggestions for increasing housing accommodation and the cheapening of houses, and to our Honorary Secretary, Mr. A. G. W. Tickle, who has been good enough to collect various information for us.
Our thanks are also due to the following Officials, who have been kind enough to answer promptly various enquiries addressed to them by the Chairmau, namely, the late Director of Public Works, the Honourable Mr. T. L. Perkins; the Acting Director of Public Works, the Honourable Mr. H. T. Jackman; Mr. A. E. Wright and Mr. H. J. Pearce of the Buildings Office; and, in particular, the Honourable Colonial Secretary, Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, C.M.G., C.B.E., for his readiness at all times to supply information to the Chairman, as required.
And lastly we desire to pay our heartfelt tribute of respect to the memory of the late Mr. J. W. White whose recent untimely death, in the midst of his arduous labours, has deprived the Colony of the services of a capable, hard-working and conscientious Public Servant.
H. E. POLLOCK, Chairman.
HONGKONG, 26th September, 1923.
R. H. KOTEWALL.
W. S. BAILEY.