12. I understand further that the native landlords are opposed to those clauses in the Bill which relate to overcrowding. They contend that these overcrowding clauses should not be brought into operation until the junction of the Praya is effected, the tramway finished, and more new houses are built. It is, however, certain that if the pressure of the law is not brought to bear upon overcrowding in the Central District, there will never be any more houses in the suburbs demanded, but if overcrowding is made a misdemeanour, people will more readily buy land and build new houses and so relieve the overcrowding.
13. In this connexion, I would respectfully urge again in the strongest terms the great need of arriving at an early understanding with the Admiralty and the War Office about the extension of the Praya along the waterfrontage of the naval yard and the Military Cantonments, without which the tramway in the Central district of Victoria will not, of course, be feasible.
14. In the scheme for opening out a new building district at Causeway Bay, which I had the honour to submit to His Excellency the Acting Governor on the 25th of April last, I had to content myself with the recommendation, as a makeshift, of a section of the proposed tramway as far as the Blue Buildings, Wanchai. But I cannot lay too much stress on the importance of carrying the line further west to the congested districts themselves, and it is on this account that I would represent the great importance of realizing the Praya Extension without delay.