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tärattempt to provide at West Toint for large ocean-going steamers. To do 10 would disorganise too much the range
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21m 1925.
JOLT: MELING: OFCCOMMITTEES. sustained on account of excessive hand- AA) Joint Hosting of the General-Coming charges and gave statistics showing mitten and the Shipping Sub-Committee that a very large trade in American flour,
the proceedings occupied nearly three
ments for coasting and river »steamers was haki,aquorilingly-on Sept. 4th-and Australian four and Shangbat flour was the position proposed at Hunghota Bay, traffic; also, the junk anchorage, which is necessarily required to be in a central' hours. position. The smaller stemmersand: junks had, a greater call than other in terests on the frontage at West Point
.A..NEW SCHEME.
There were present: Mr. D. &. M. Bernard (Chairman), the Hon. Mr. A. O Lang, the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak, the Hon. Mr. A. Q-Stephen, Messrs. A. s. D. Cousland, (1. T. Edking, N. L. Watson, T. G. Weall, Major R. B. Young, Liout R. R. Beauchamp, R.N. (Members of the General Committee), Mr. P. A. Cox, Mr. W. S. Brown, Mr. R. Sutherland, Mr. D. Taylor, Mr. W> G. Goggin, Capt. C. B. Riggs (Members of the Shipping Sub- Committee).
At this meeting the Shipping Sub- Committed heard for the ratio of a scheine for a Reclamation at Kennedy Town, beyond the present tramway return. loop, This scheme, provided for ruinforced concrete wharves with spacs for godowns and transit sheds beyond the quay, and, behind that, an area suitable for similar development. The godown space was coloured red on the plan and provided for a depth of ninety feet: the aren behind this coloured green, had a similer depth. The southern boundary of the scheme was the preseng Victoria Noad. The plan provided for vassels totident of the CPS). be berthed alongside. The depth of water was shown as varying frous 34 feet to: 27--feet.
It was considered that this schemo
would make unnecessary the expensive operations on the Harbour frontage at West Point which had been discussed at previous meetings.
The Secretary (Mr. D. K. Blair) and the Assistant Secretary (Mr. M. F. Key) attended.
being endangered by reason of direct ship ments in recent years, instead of is Hongkong as formerly Flour merchants, in consequence, bad suffered severe losses on their capital Statistics were given showing the wastages and expense of excessive handling of flour. The moral was that coolie bire, lighter nire, godown hire and the method of working were not really economicals AH A
THE ÖAKES WATER BOOGESTION "CHIFICISED.
Coming now to the question of thei advisability of constructing wharves in Mr. Fletcher, proceeded to discuss the suggestions put forward by Capt. Dasi wated dcek west of Kowloon Point. This proposal, he remarked, was not extirely new, though in its present form perhaps it was. A scheme was in existence for a bridgo across, the Harbour, also with godowns upon it, and this would require only the same length of construction work as the scheme suggested by the two captains-certainly a more feasible pro Dosal than the Harbour, bridge, to which there were greater objections.
Taking that as a basis, the Govern ment had examined the possibilities of the Port. They were practically three: West Point, North Point and Hunghom Bay. The Covernment asked Sir Maurico
Discussing Capt. Davison's scheme, Visitors The Hon. Mr. AG. M. Fitzmaurice to come out to Hongkong. Mr. Flatcher suggested that Capt. Davi son, had looked at the problem rather Fletcher, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary), ax in the preliminary discussions he Commander C. W. Beckwith, R.N. (Har greed-and the Government rather press- from his own point of view as the master bour Master), Mr. A. Anderson (Oue of ed the point-that the main effort should of a ship, and-for the definite purpose the Engineers in the Public Works Dept.), be to base the godowns and wharves on of providing shelter the suggestion was and Capt, W. Davison (Marine Superin-the railway, because, if China had peace undoubtedly admirable. From a comme
and developed comitiertaally, the railway cial point of view, however, Mr. Fletcher would be an immensely important factor saw objections to the scheme, First, the in the handling of cargo, **. 1.
Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice advised thegle of the Camber would bring the Hunghom Bay scheme, adopting, to all whole of the wash of the sea into the entrance of the Mongkoktsui Harbour The Cheitman, baving welcomed the intents and purposes. Mr. Dunn's visitars, said that the question of Har scheme which had been already worked Refuge destroying its usefulness com bour development had been the subject out. Sir Maurice suggested certain al-pletely. A great current would be set of careful consideration by the Shipping terations in the positions of the piers, Up and no junk would be able to heat!
up against it. Sub-Committee, but no decisions had been and so on.
The idea of making provision in West Mr. T. KDKINS: Might I suggest Disenssion turned on the order of come to, nor had they yet been able to urgency of the various schemes which had make a report to the General Committen. Paint was abandoned for two reasons, the that Captains Davison and Rohinson heen put before the Committee and the The whole matter was of such magnitude main one being that the district was have not committed themselves to this general opinion was that a Kennedy and grave import to the Colony in years already very congested. Handling diff-being the scheme: it is merely an idea, Town development should come first and come that it was felt that Harbour cultica would only be increased if the a tentative one..
Mr. FETCHER added that he did not that, when work started on the Canton schemes would not be considered pless attempt were made to provide further Lukow Railway, it would be quite time meal but must be dealt with comprehen- wharfage facilities in a district in which think the Government could secure the envliga to make a beginning with wharf woly, as a whole. Only a week ago a traffic was already heavy The area Naval Camber unless they spent a for- new idea was put forward by Captains would he a jumble of goods wagdds, träms
tune in putting it somewhere else. straction at Hunghom
Davison and Robinson, which, at first and other traffic, and it must be remem-
Mr. FLETCHER demonstrated by sight, looked decidedly attractive andhered that it was already densely popu differed entirely from the Hunghom lated. The alternatives were: either to sketch that the angle shown in the pro scheine. There had not yet been an remove godown business 'from that part jecting arm of Capt. Davison's plan. if opportunity for discussing it.
of the town, giving it up to office pur- that arm commenced further to the poses only, or take the risk of further southward, would give rise to dificulties congesting it, thereby sending up the in connection with railway construction. value of land enormously and making because the angle would be too cute for cargo business impracticable on account trucks to negotiate. The godowas on the of the dudrious pkpense/ Precise details projecting arm would not give facilities had not been gone into thodaghly, but for sorting eargo and there would be Mr. Duncan assured his that the cost of congestion. The scheme provided for developing the West Point district with only one line of railway which, from a wharves and trangit godowns would be handling point of view, seemed an im
possible arrangement, prohibitive.
At this meeting ferry schemes were o discussed bus information was found ..to be inadequate as to the Government propeyilsandus to whether the pro- posed Jubilee Street-Jordan Road service
So far na their deliberations had taken was intended as an alternative or anthem, the Shipping Sub-Committee fav addition to existing means of communi, aured facilities being extended at West Ccation. The position of the Skar Point, where the most pressing demand Ferry in relation to future forry services, existed, and considered development at Greater was also in doubt:
North Paint could wait on this. facilities for orcan vessels were needed at Kowloon, but opinion was divergent on the necessity for starting an extensive scheme such as the Hunghom one at the present tine.
An intimation of the difficulties in which the Shipping Sub-Committee found itself, through lack of infatnuntion on the Gov crument polies in regard to several as 'pects of Harhour schemes, was conveyed to the Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr.A. With regard to ferries, it was generally UM. Fletcher, CMG.), and he very accepted that provision should be made kindly offered to attend and explain for chiar traffic and for much larger fully the scheme, which the Goveranient ferries than were at present running; had under consideration and their rela-als that there was much to be said for tiun to one another, and to Town-Plan making a landing for such vehicular traffic bing Schemes. **
nt Kowloon Point instead of, or in add tim to the fovernment proposals at The type of jettien pro- Jordan Rand. vided for ferrios should snake liberal allowance for the future.
North Point, being undeveloped land, there was every opportunity of opening it up properly for whart and godown pur poses. There was no one in possession and development would not be bampered in any way. A 35ft. road along the flar bour front had already heen tentatively decided upon and there would be godowns of the most modern kind facing the sca... DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH POINT STRONGLY
..CROED.
.i
2
Producing a map of the Town Planning Scheme for Kowloon Mr. FLETCHER sub- mitted that the railway connection be tween the suggested wharf and Yaumati would be through the most crowded part of Yaumati, whereas, at Hunghom, aruple land was available near the rail- way for offices, sorting sheds, etc, in addition to the space provided on the wharves themselves. The whole point of the Hunghom scheme was the large back- ground of accommodation for offices, godowns and sidings. The great trouble at present was the lack of handling
In this conncetion Mr. Fletcher quoted There was a strong opinion that "the from a Minute by the Director of Public Government should not attempt to under-Works, dated 7.3.23, strongly urging the take the administration of a wharf busi-development of North Point. Reports facilities by modern methods immed
were also obtained as to the possible intel behind the wharres. The Hung- effect of the works there upon tides; and hom District was not nearly so congested expert opinions were given that no specials Yaumati dimiculties would be set up in the Harbour As to comparative costs, without cqm- Currents by such works.
Mr. T. Perkins wrote: The Gov. mitting himself to precise details, he ernment is practically committed to deve could say that, in Mr. Anderson's opin top the North Point Foreshore, and filling ion, Capt. Davison's scheme would cost
the Western and At Hunghorn it was known that solid
bottom existed thirty-six feet down; ! thereof for that purpose, and I venture to assert that in the future possession of west of Kowloon Point solid bottom was such a magnificent stretch of deep water probably a great deal deeper, and it frontage with wharfage alongside and that was so of course the expense.would stacking area extending back to the main be enormously increased. It was also felt that there was need road-and for a great portion of its length Mr. FLETCHER added that the Consult- for improvemitat of the Mangkoktai 800 feet in depth-the Government housing Engineers were aware-not of this shelter by the erection of some break a field for future Harbour Development proposal-but of similar ones for long water to protect it from the South-west, second only in value to that proposed to armis projecting into the Harbour, but and that the question of the allocation he created at Hunghom, and one which they rejected them as impossible, taking of muorings should be dealt with, toon no account should be alienated for any the view that Hunghom Bay was the
proper place for deep sea. barves. avoid, as far as practicable, the heavier purpose unconnected with shipping." moorings being taken up by the smaller
ar, Perkins continued: "Throughout vessels when required by big liners... Hongkong's extended miles of sea front This was generally the position reached there is not at present one single place at the present time, and the meeting set apart for facilitating the landing and would be glad to hear the views of the distribution of building materials and for Government, which would be received receiving the vast amount of debris, other with the greatest interest.
than reuse, which has to be disposed of The lack of STATEMENT BY THE COLONIAL yearly in every big city.
such accommodation must be costing the Community yearly much more than it
SECRETARY.
Mincr objections to Capt. Davison's suggestion were that, undesirable eddies might be created, and that if would be difficult to keep the enclosed area clean on account of sewage effluent from the surrounding densely populated district. These were minor objections-the Gov. ernment had not gone into the proposal in any detail-but he anggested that the objections were overwhelming as con- could ever have realised in the past bypared with the Hunghem Bay scheme. the sale of suitable sites for this purpose
The Government wanted to make a nearer the centre of the City, and, al
SUGGESTED LARGE WET DOCK.
At 'subsequent date, shortly after the severe typhoon of August 18th, a scheme was put before the Chamber by Captain W. Davison, Marine Superintendent of the C.P... and Captain S Robinson, Commander of the R. M.S. Empress tness, and that they should confine them Australia, whereby a large wet dock could selves to the construction of the quay be constructed, in which it was claimed walls and/or piers. abips could lie alongside the wharves in
A new question whith might arise, but safety in typhoon weather.
which had not yet been before the Ship Captain Davison, contested Sir. Mauping "Sub-Committee, was that of a rice Fitzmaurice's statement that "what typhoon refuge at Shaukiwan, on account ever works may be constructed, ships of the growth of the shipping and popula- Just get into the open away from wharves tion in that neighbourhood, and its disfrom the new 100 foot road is already, at least as much as the Hunghom scheme. during typhoons," and Captain Robinson tance from Causeway Bay and Mongkok being deposited on arged that experience during the typhoon, tsui. The toll during the recent typhoon and the increasing size of the vessels (August 18th) was very marked there, and using the Port, made it extremely desir apparently alwaye world be when winda able that there should be some plaer reaching typhoon force came from an where such vessels could discharge and Easterly direction.. load their cargoes without the risk of having to move from their berths in case of typhoons. In brief, they proposed that aprojecting arin with wharves and a rail way track upon
it be constructed from a paint near the eastern entrance to the Mongkok tsui typhoon refuge to a point west of Kowloon Point; thus enclosing the Naval Camber and the wharvos of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Go- down Co., Ltd. A short breakwater near the Police Pier at Kowicon Point would project westward to meet the end of the proposed works, thus rifoviding a narrow catrace to a large enclosed area. Capt. Davison claimed for his suggestion that it would only require a constructional length of 6.000ft as compared with 7,400ft. The Hon. Br. A. G. M. Fletcher said at Huaghom dredging to a depth of 71t.
that the Governulent concurred-de the as compared with 161ft at Hunghom; view that the Tarbour problems was of the and an estimated cost of £2,688,000 18 compared with £3,313,000. He also claim- utmost importance to the Colony and that though North Point from its position at beginning, if possible, with the Hunghom ed that it would provide for ships it should not be lealt with picecnical but one extremity of it cannot ever satisfac-Bay scheme in order that-if cargo came a whole.. That was the definite policy torily meet the City's full requirements down in large quantities from China-- in this respect, it can do so to a very the Port would be in a position to of the fioveruipent on this question.
The necessity for bringing the Port up-considerable extent and very spacious handle it is connection with the rail- to-date must have been horne in upon accommodation should be set apart for way. every one very strongly in connection with this purpose, the Strike of 1922, which had also illus
As to the question of administration. trated the disadvantages of being at the business man was so convinced of the mercy of chen. anskilled labour. It was possibilities of North Point that he h the intention was that the Government cssential, in the view of the Government, offered to undertake the whole work and should build the wharvce, in order to that Hongkong should give up as far as tu put up $10,000,000 for the purpose. He preserve uniformity, but there was in- it could its dependence on that kind of assured the Government that he could tention of the Government running a Inhour and have recourse to up-to-date attract the four and rice and general wharf and godown business. It was mechanical means such as were employed trade of West Point to the new area quite possible, for example, that Mesers. in New York whore, some years ago, mat- that if the Chinese had these facilities Butterfield and Swire might come to an ters were in very much the same position they would be prepared to move. Mr. arrangement to build uniter Government as in Hongkong to-day with piers jutting Fletcher said he only mentioned this for supervision. It must be according to the information of the meeting the Government specification in order to out at every angle. New York had now reorganised its port and bad introduced Government had no intention of handing large transit godowns on modern wharves. over the whole work in this way cure that it was built according to the After enquiry into every feasible sys. Mr. Flatcher also quoted at lengtheneral plan. The Government would tem, it seemed to the Government that from the report of Mr. S. H. Hilis, whom either build or have the wharves built under supervision, but it was not pro The Chairman (Mr. D. G. M. BERNARD) the solution lay in the provision of very be described as an engineer of great posed by the Government undertake said that the whole question of Harbour large wharves with transit godowns unon repute, in whom the Government had a wharf and godown business. If two Improvements was such a large one that them, in positions such as flunghom Bay, every confidence, Mr. Ellis came to firms cared to divile the wharf between be felt inclined to suggest for the con- and at North Point, a deep sea-wall with Hongkong on behalf of Messrs. Butter them, there would be no reason why they sideration of the Committee that the a narrow roadway, not more than ft. in field and Swipe and they lent the Gov- should not. Any such arrangements Government be asked to appoint a Com-width so that cargo could be slung across ernment his services, at the Government would have to be nader some form of mission to consider the whole subject. into godowns. Those wore the two request. Mr. Ellis's most valuable and administration which he unagined the Discussions had been proceeding for governing principles.
interesting report was cutirely an in- Chamber of Commerce could help in months on the question of Typhoon Warn- First, as regards methods of handling dependent one. ings without any progress being made and Complaints of excessive costs due to The Government also asked Mr. Ellis devising perhaps this, and the question of Wire charges for excessive handling, from ship to advise upon the Hunghom Bay scheme; Asked if the Government had consider- less Telegraphy might also form part of to lighter, lighter to godown, and so on, and the discussion with Mr. Ellis on this ed the question of charges for the the referenss to a Commission What had been numerous. On the file of the branch of the subject was quite separate harves, and whether the Government the Government policy was in regard to subject was a very strongly worded state: From the desire of Messrs Butterfield would lease them to the highest bidder, Harbour Improvements, he confessed, he ment that the Colony was losing the flour and Swire, for extension at Holt's Mr. Fletcher said his personal opinion was 4id not know.”
trade, which was going to Amoy and Wharf. In this connection Mr. Fletcher that it would be better to give the Ship- Swatow, in spite of disadvantages under quote from Mr. Ellis's report dated ping Companies facilities. On that, the which those ports suffered, simply because 11.4.23, in which Mr. Ellis submitted Government relied on the advice of the the charges here were so high. Th's plans for an addition to the Hunghom Chamber of Commerce. It was for them statement was corroborated by a Chinese scheme of two deep draft berths adjacent to advise how the facilities could best be Chamber of Commerce report which had to Holl's Wharf. This report, Mr. used the Government did not want only just been received by the Govern. Fletcher said, the Government regarded merely to sell to speculators, mant. They referred to the great losses as of great value.
(550ft.) as compared with 14 ships at Hanghom, and this would not include the accommodation already provided at the Godown Co.'s wharves. From the point of view of typhoon shelter, he claimed that apart from the ships at the Godown Co.'s wharves, his proposal would protect. 14 ships besides launches, and lighters, whereas the Hunghem scheme would pro- vide no shelter from typhoons. Bailway commections, be submitted, were about equal, and, as regards current and wind, *basin at Yiumati would have marked advantages.
The Shipping Sub-Committee were strongly impressed with the importance of these suggestions for providing safe Anchorage in the Harbour during typhoon weather, and a further discussion took place in the General Committee.
The Hon. Mr. A. G. STEPHEN Buggested that it would be advantageous to meet Mr. Flotchor firat, in accordance with the suggestion which had been conveyed to the Chamber, and, if necessary, after that ask for the appointment of a Commis sion
Mr. Fletcher mentioned that a Chinese
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