the results might have been appalling.
83
I mention this as it seems to me the best course of action is to adopt any means which will prevent pirates getting on board, and which may in the course of time lead to the gradual elimination of barriers below deck, it is with this object in view therefore, that I submit this scheme. The unsatisfactory position of affairs on the Canton Delta, and the flouting of the British Flag together with the serious menace to the lives of Captains, Officers, Engineers and crew is a common and unpleasant topic,, not only in this Colony, but in the Far East generally, and I think it behoves us to leave no stone unturned to press the Government to embark without delay upon such Harbour work as the Chamber considers essential and which will in the future be of benefit generally.
It may be thought by some, that the present Piracy epidemic is but a passing phase and that there is no call for permanent preventative measures such as suggest- ed in this I am not in agreement, as I think that the general change in Chinese mentality generally calls for regulations and restrictions which were not necessary some 10 or 20 years ago. Apart from this consideration however, I am strongly of opinion that the depot will be a valuable asset to one of the chief branches of the Colony's shipping business.
This particular depot will of course, take some time to build, perhaps a matter of 18 months, but the sooner it is started, the sooner it will be completed, and it will have the added effect of setting an example to other places, such as Canton, where in the course of time it might be possible for the Authorities to arrange similar berthing facilities.
Apart from piracy it has got to be remembered that the Depot would play a very important part in the health of the Colony, inasmuch as it will provide an excellent opportunity for medical inspection of the greater bulk of the passengers arriving from Canton. At present for instance, there is a small-pox epidemic in Canton, and so far as my knowledge goes, thousands of passengers are arriving in this Colony every day without any medical inspection whatsoever, and it would seem that Hong Kong opens its doors to all and sundry, whether they be afflicted with disease or otherwise. This in itself, calls for the gravest considera- tion, and it is generally thought that we must regard small-pox as being one of the epidemics inseparable from China, at least for many years to come.
In like manner the Excise and Revenue Department should welcome this scheme, as in searching ship's baggage and passengers they will have their labours largely centralised, and without doubt it should lead to economy in time and con- sequently number of staff, to say nothing of the inestimable advantage of improved control. I am not overlooking the question of the railway which in due course will bring many passengers to the Colony, but it should be a comparatively simple matter to arrange examination of Chinese arriving at stations on the Kowloon Peninsula. To cover cost of building and maintenance the Government could charge a small fee for every passenger passed through the Depot, this would in due course be collected from the Shipping Companies concerned who would make a surcharge on the passage tickets to recoup themselves.
Turning to the plan, you will note from Sketch No. 4 that the depot has been shown as projected from the Praya, and in the vicinity of Des Voeux Road; in ex- planation I would say that this in no way indicates or suggests the possible site, it is merely shown to illustrate how it would abut on the Praya, if it was eventually suggested to erect same in such manner. On the question of site, I do not wish to speak, as this is a subject which calls for very careful consideration of facts which are outside my knowledge. Admittedly the Praya would be the most suitable place and it should be erected somewhere adjacent to the new ferry piers which the Government have under consideration.
In my original sketches a two-storey building was shown with examination rooms on the ground floor and on the upper storey. Mr. Bird suggested that possibly a two storey building in front of the present buildings on the Praya might raise certain objections in the way of outlook from present property holders. I do not know myself that this is any great disadvantage but I leave it to those more qualified to judge. A two-storey building would of course economise in space, but on the other hand would have the disadvantage of passengers having to move up and