+
July 11, 1908.]
4,000 lines! feet @ $370 Extra labour and materials at beads
Total
$1,480,300 60,000
$1,540,000
The actual cross-section of the long break. water at any point would not differ materially from the average oross-section shown; and indging by the borings taken in connection with the proposed work, and by the soundings on the Admiralty Charts, the average cross section of the short breakwater, or of any other breakwater in the neighbourhood of it, would okimate closely to the average cross
app' section shown.
With reference to the question of bringing within certain limits the cost of any works to be undertaken, I have to say that nothing but a complete breakwater would be of any practical ure, as the Observatory records of the 1906 typhoon alone, are sufficient to show (vide attached Diagram showing the average hourly direction and velocity of the wind during the typhoon on the morning of the 18 h September, 1906).
The short breakwater suggested on the plan would give a sheltered area equal to Causeway Bay. This would be worth having; but there would seem to be too many expensive difficulties in the way to admit of the suggestion being acted on.
The area is small, and the width of the entrance would have to be proportionately amall; but the north entrance cannot be placed close to the north shore, owing to a rocky shoal which exists at that point. A jetty would therefore te constructed on the shoal, and the entrance would be immediately to the South of it, as shown on the plan.
The estimated cost of the short breakwater, and the jetty is as follows:- 1,910 lineal feet of break water at $370 $717,800 00 Extra labour and materials at heads.
60,000 00 Jetty
100 000.00
444
$883,800.00 The area enclosed by the short breakwater would be liable to become so packed with small craft as to cause a serious obstruction to the marine frontages abutting on the area; and seas running off the south-east end of the breakwater would impinge on the marine front- ages immediately south of the entrance.
To avoid complicated claims from the lot. owners affected it would probably be necessary to resume all the lots between Kowloon Marine Lot 32 and Kowloon Marine Lot 39 and strengthen the 'ses wall between the south entrance and Kowloon Marine Lot 39.
J. F. B.
28th September, 1907.
TB CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPLY TO THE GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL On receipt of the memorandam by H. E. the Governor the Committee of the Chamber issued the following letter to the Shipping Firms who signed the letter to the Chamber, dated 23rd April :—
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 29th May, 1908. DEAR SIR, I am directed to forward for your perusal and consideration the enclosed copies of the Government's reply to the Cham- ber's letter regarding the proposed Typhoon Harbour of Refuge at Mongkoktsui and Mem. oranda by His Excellency and the Hon. the Director of Public Works.
The plans mentioned therein may be seen at the Chamber between the hours of 10 a.m. and
12 am. from the 1st June to the 6th June inclusive, and my Committee trust that you will take this opportunity of examining the robeme and estimates and that you will afterwards favour the Committee with your farther views on the subject-I am, dear Sir, Yours faithfully,
. A. M. WILLIAMS,
Secretsry,
General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong, 3rd July. SIR.-I am directed to reply to your letter of 20th May, 1908, (No. 9266-1907) on the subject of the proposed Harbour of Refuge at Mong- koktsui, and the imposition of additional Light Dues to defray half the cost thereof.
CHINA ÖVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
My Committee have submitted the plans and | estimates to the general body of British Ship- ping Companies, or their Agents, for their consideration, and the expression of their further views on this important subject,
I am to enclose for His Excellency's perunal, a copy of a letter since received from them, together with their memoranda mentioned in paragraph two of such letter.
I am to state that my Cammittee wish to associate themselves with the views of the Shipping Companies, as contained in their letter to this Chamber and the accompanying memoranda, and would ask His Excellency to accept such letter and Memoranda as an expres- sion of opinion by the Chamber of Commerce.
I return with this the plans and estimates and am directed to request you to express the thanks of my Committee to His Excellency for the opportunity accorded them of examining the schme and commenting thereon.—I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,
E. A. M. WILLIAMS,
Secretary. Hon, MB. F. H. May, C.M.G.,
Colonial Secretary.
27
SHEWAN, TOMES & Co.. General Managers, China Manila 8. 8. Co., Ltd., General Agents, Amerios Asiatic 3. 8. Co., Ltd., Agents, Shire Line of Steamers, Ltd. MCGREGOR BROs & Gow, General Managers, HONGKONG, CANTON & MACAO STEAMBOAT
"Glen" Line of Steamers.
Co., Ltd., W. E. CLARKE, Secretary. DAVID SASSOON & Co., Ltd., Agents & pcar
Line.
To The Chairman,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce,
Hongkong.
MEMORANDUM FROM THE BRITISH SHIPPPING 1 INES TO THE CHAMBER OF COM.
MERCE BE LIGHT DUES.
pot definitely decided to build the New Har- Typhoon Shelter.-If the Government has bour of Refuge at Mongkoktaui there are various reasons against the site,
1. Too big.contemplated size not required at present; - unwise to build as intended when the necessity is not apparent.
2. Cost-prohibitive in Colony's present financial condition.
3 Accessibility. It is no more accessible than the present refuge.
These reasons are all in favour of first (which is in a disgraceful state), and watching the improving the present site at Causeway Bay result. In favour of this it is contended that :—
Cost of dredging is not excessive.
1.
Hongkong, 23rd June, 1908. SIB,- We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th altimo enclosing copies of the Government's reply to your Chamber's letter regarding the proposed Typhoon Harbour
2. Accessibility is equal to new site proposed. of Refuge at Mongkoktsui and Memoranda by His Excellency and the Hon. Director of purposes. Lighters and large junks can ride st 3. Area is large enough for all practical Public Works, for which we have to thank you.anchor as they have always done, and small For the sake of brevity we attach memoranda oraft can be well accommodate | at Causeway refuge, and our notes on some of the points we have drawn up regarding the proposed Bay in ordinary typhoons. affecting the shipping trade and taxation of Hongkong, dealing with the comments made by His Excellency,
We are strongly of opinion that immediate steps should be taken to improve the refuge at Causeway Bay, half of which at the present time is practically useless owing to silt. We think that, on this being done, it will provide shelter for the greater part, if not the whole, of the smaller craft employed in the Harbour.
Should the Government, however, be definitely committed to the Mongkoktsuj scheme we rely on your Chamber to advocate that they adopt a scheme on the lines laid down in our memoran dum, by which the cost-but not necessarily the work is spread over a term of years, and will thus fall less heavily on those who have to contribute to the cost of the works, a policy which is usually adopted by port trusts and cities borrowing money for permanent im
provements.
With reference to the Colonial Secretary's reply to our enquiry regarding the increased fees on cargo boats, lighters and water boats, we are surprised to learn that the increase was made in the interest of General Revenue on
the ground that such fees were considered fees derived from such a to be law. We are of the opinion that source should
be devoted to the upkeep of the various branches of the Harbour Department; and that any surplus should be applied to works such as the dredging of aneway Bay or the arcotion of a typhoon shelter. We would point out that from past records, Mr. Chamberlain mentioned the revenue derived from native Shipping was to be applied to the Harbour Master's Depart- ment, as apart from what may be termed the General Budget of the Colony.
We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servants,
F. J. ABBOTT, Acting Supt. P. & O. 8.
N. Company. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE, Agents. Ocean Steam Ship Co., Ltd., Agents, China Mutual Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., China Navigation Co., Ltd. JARDINE, MATHESON & Co., Ltd.. General Managers, Indo China S. N. Co., Ltd., Agents, Indra Line Ltd. DODWELL & Co, Ltd., Edgar G. Barrett,
Manager.
signalled, as in 1906, no refuge of any size 4. Safety of Craft. For a typhoon an or description or situation wou'd be of any avail, Mongkoktsui Shelter.- Suggested method
of meeting cost.
If the Government is definitely committed to the Mongkoktaul scheme there is nothing further to be said except for the shipping to present their views as to floanding the work. They would repeat that this should be arranged to extend over a longer period than that proposed by the Government and that the tax
extra on shipping should not exceed cent per ton net register, The financial arrange. ment should be
separate and distinct from the general finances of the Colony. This can be done, if necessary, without the Government contracting a special loan. Any of the local Banks will be glad to lend the money as an ordinary overdraft at 6 per cent., if guaranteed by the Government, the Shipping Companies guaranteeing to pay the extra cent per net register ton until the cost is finally paid off, the account to be reduced by the pay ment monthly into the Bank providing the money, of the total realised by the extra à cent, together with an equal amount representing the Government's half share of the cost. By this means the urgency of the work suffers no delay.
References to Gov rnment Memorandum. (a) Owing to the increased size of steamers heavier dues have to be paid than heretofore, In most instances steamers have not brought or taken away more cargo than formerly, but the cost of coaling has been increased, The Colony has consequently benefitted.
(b), (d) and (b) In reply to the petition in 1897, Mr. Chamberlain also stated, “loveur in your views that moderate dues may probably be levied in Hongkong provided the proceeds do not at ordinary times exceed the total expenditure of Heures, Water Police, &c.," the Harbour Department including Light
Lord Selbourne at the same time and with the same proviso regarding the expenditure of the Harbour Department wrote that Mr. Cham- Agente,berlain had under his consideration to adopt one of the two following alternatives, vis " (1) a uniform ebarge of two cents (instead of 21 cents) per ton on all shipping or (2) a charge on a graduated scale such an is levied at Gibraltar beginning at 24 cents par ton on smaller vessels and rising to a maximum charge of (say) $30 to $.40.on ships of (say) 1800 tons and over
CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY Co. D. W.
CRADDOCK, General Traffic A gert. DOUGLAS, LAPBAIK & Co.. General Managers,
Douglas Steamship Co., Ltà. GIBB, LIVINGSTON & Co., Agents "Ben" Line of Steamers, Agenta E. & A. S. S. Co., Ltd.
From these extracts it can be only concluded that it was not the wish or intenti nof Home Government to levy a heavy tax. steamers. On the existing scale many are paying heavier dnes than Mr. Chan (2) contemplated.