It is plain that the Peninsula of Kowloon terminates towards Hong Kong in a promontory of about one mile in length and half a mile in breadth, which projects into the very centre of the harbour. Along the west coast, this is the only deep water, and here the merchant ships are accustomed to shelter during the North East Monsoon. The southern points of this promontory are but a mile apart and are the two principal landing places on this side, and it was between these points, in the event of commerce being attracted to the other side, that it has been contemplated to run a ferry.
There is perfect unanimity of opinion amongst the Mercantile Community here, and it is, I believe, beyond dispute, that this promontory is urgently required for commercial purposes, and that without it, the acquisition of Kowloon is a...
N3 Colonial Secretary's Minute attached