the whole available coast line in the harbour being already appropriated, the extension landwards in the principal part of the Town is impossible ; except at West Point which is removed from the centre of European influence and will eventually become almost invariably specially suitable.
The heavy expense to which Merchants have been put in the creation of their offices, Dwelling Houses, and Godowns, does not warrant the belief that the seat of business will be interfered with in any way whatever by the establishment of Kowloon as an entrepot.
And I accordingly conceive that the best interests of the Crown, in affording facilities to the British Merchants for conduct of the important trade with China, in regard to which Hong Kong will most likely remain the Head Quarter, will best be served by affording relief to the Godowns or warehouses, overcrowded in Hong Kong, and giving such other areas as may be of importance for general Colonial purposes.
Thus it appears by the Plan that the extreme South and West Coast line is the frontage for such an occupation, being the only available with Mercantile objects, as all the remainder of the Coast is excessively shallow and otherwise unfitted, except at considerable expense and outlay, which would require a lengthened period to be made available, though in some portions of Hong Kong similar works have been done both by Chinese and Europeans.