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It will be recollected that for this same reason the Admiralty found it necessary, as a result of the typhoon in 1908, to extend the breakwater forming their coaling Camber in this vicinity.
As it is improbable that the Admiralty will give up their coaling camber or torpedo boat basin, the coming to grief of a vessel within the dock would not only prejudice the whole internal system but also the movement of Admiralty craft. Such a catastrophe might have serious consequences.
With regard to the effect of such a breakwater on the southern entrance of the Mongkoktsui Harbour of Refuge during typhoon gales from the west, the entrance would be prejudiced so seriously as to make it impossible for craft to enter.
From a commerical point of view, considering the necessity for free movement of merchandise by road, by rail and by small craft generally, I consider the proposal would not secure such efficiency as works, of a similar cost, designed on a somewhat different form. Evidently, Captain Davison sees Port Developments from the point of view of a mariner, viz. the safety of his ship.
Reclamation (and Wharfage) at North Point.
No. 2.
The Robert Dollar Steamship Company seeing the possibility of the development of Drawing this foreshore for shipping purposes, commenced negotiations through a local firm of architects for an area adjoining the Hongkong Electric Co.'s property. So far as I am acquainted, the negotiations were somewhat protracted and in the meantime this steam- ship company found a suitable site for their business in Shanghai. The firm conducting these negotiations did not inform Government until almost the date of sale that their clients the Robert Dollar Steamship Co. had "dropped out" and that in their place a speculative Chinese builder who was intent on reclaiming the area and developing it for the construction of Chinese tenement houses was then their client. At this stage of the negotiations the matter was referred to me and Government was advised that the development of this foreshore should be considered more seriously with relation to the harbour itself than with the idea of making building land.
The sale of the areas now known as "Marine Lots Nos. 430 and 431" North Point could not be delayed pending the consideration and preparation of a scheme of develop- ment for North Point foreshore. Fortunately, the purchaser was Mr. Kwik Djoen Eng who foresaw the possibility of developing the site for shipping and is now constructing a quay wall aggregating 1,693 feet in length and providing a depth of 30 feet of water alongside at L.W.O.S.T. The works have been designed to conform with the Scheme of Development for this foreshore recommended later in this report.
The question as to the form of development to be adopted to the eastward of these lots and the type of quay walls or wharves to be constructed was referred to the Con- sulting Engineers. Whilst offering objections to reclamation of the foreshore in question, they admit that such a scheme of reclamation and wharfage as that proposed for North Point is practicable but consider it would be best to leave the foreshore as it is at present. They were of the opinion that "it would be very inadvisable to divide forces and funds in attempting to construct a limited length of deep water quay in this position rather than concentrate upon Hung Hom Bay where the possibilities of development and exten- sion are infinitely superior ".
Reclamation (and Wharfage), at Kennedy Town.
This scheme was likewise subordinated to the consideration of land values during Drawing the recent land boom. Although the necessity of providing wharfage at Kennedy Town No. 2. had not been ascertained, a line of wharfage was shewn to indicate the possibility of construction from an engineering point of view. As recommendations for the develop- ment of this foreshore are contained in this report, I need make no further comment on this sketch scheme which after all can only be considered of a tentative nature.