Public Works Office,
Hongkong, 11th October, 1898.
Sir,
The construction of the proposed carriage road round the island of Hongkong is a matter in which the whole public without exception naturally take a very great interest, especially those who subscribed towards the Jubilee Memorial of Her Majesty's Reign.
2. Being intimately acquainted with the matter in all its bearings, I have obtained the permission of Government to address you, and through you the public, including I should hope all or nearly all of the subscribers.
3. The necessity for this arises from the fact that owing to what I may term an unfortunate resolution passed at a meeting of the Jubilee Committee on April 26th, 1897, and subsequent to which subscriptions towards the proposed memorials were received, the Committee feel bound to a course of action which seems most undesirable in the interests of all concerned, as I hope to be able presently to demonstrate.
4. That resolution was as follows :- "That the money so collected together with an equal amount promised by the Colonial Government be deposited at interest in the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank in the name of the Jubilee Committee, and be disbursed by them after paying for the local celebrations - one half towards the erection of the Hospital for Women and Children, and the training of nurses, and the other half towards the construction of the first section of the carriage road from Kennedytown to Aberdeen, which the Government undertakes to commence forthwith and to carry on the remaining portion of the road until completed."
5. I emphasize the portion of the resolution which I term unfortunate in view of further experience and the present aspect of the question.
6. I understand that legal opinion has been taken and that it is considered, as matters now stand, that work can only be commenced on the section of road between Kennedytown and Aberdeen and that until that section is completed nothing can be done towards constructing a carriage road between Aberdeen, Stanley, and Shaukiwan. But, at the same time, I believe it is admitted that a general meeting of subscribers can, if so disposed, or if it is the wish of the majority, rescind the latter portion of the above resolution, and leave it open to the Jubilee Committee, at whose disposal it must be understood the money now lies, to sanction commencement of the work elsewhere.
7. Bearing in mind that what was desired as a carriage road round the island, the existing road from the city by Pokfulam to Aberdeen should not be ignored. The rise from Queen's Road level to Vaine Road or Bonham Road is necessarily steep, but the distance is short and the hill is by no means impracticable; from this to some distance beyond Douglas Castle the gradients are easy; then a short steep hill occurs, but one that can easily and at no great expense be improved; so that even now we have a fairly good carriage road six miles in length from the city to some distance beyond the Paper Mills at Aberdeen. By beginning at Shaukiwan or Aberdeen, or at both, the desired end would be much more rapidly attained than in any other way, and then would come the time to consider whether a level road round Mount Davis was worth the expense.
8. A carriage road has been traced round the island, at such gradients as will meet with the approval of drivers, riders, and cyclists, an estimate has been framed and plans drawn, and it only remains to call for tenders and enter into contracts to ensure the work of construction being actively pushed on.
9. The total length between Shaukiwan and Kennedytown is a little over 18 miles, which for convenience of working has been divided into three sections, namely, Shaukiwan to Stanley 7 miles, Stanley to Aberdeen 8 miles, Aberdeen to Kennedytown 5½ miles. The estimated cost of these sections respectively is $114,170.20, $95,406.00, and $145,612.80; total for the whole road $355,189.00, or an average of $19,199 per mile.
10. The shortest section is much more difficult than either of the others; it passes along the precipitous rock-bound coast at the base of Mount Davis, involving an enormous amount of rock blasting and building, which is clearly indicated by the difference in estimated cost. Thus the average cost per mile from Shaukiwan to Stanley is $16,310, from Stanley to Aberdeen $11,901 (corrected from $15,901), and from Aberdeen to Kennedytown $26,475.
11. The money now lying in the bank towards the construction of the road is about $92,000. This would suffice to make four miles from Shaukiwan towards Stanley, or nearly to Tytam Tuk, and two miles from Aberdeen towards Stanley to Deep-water Bay, the latter two miles including the reclamation of the Aberdeen tidal flat of evil repute, the bug-bear of Magazine Gap; or it would make the whole of No. 2 Section from Aberdeen to Stanley.
12. The six miles I indicate first would provide a nearly level carriage road from Aberdeen to Deep-water Bay golf links, doing away with the steep circuitous existing bridle path by Little Hongkong, and at the other end would provide a carriage road of easy gradients from Shaukiwan to Tytam Tuk, thus avoiding some of the steepest and worst parts of the existing path round the island.
13. In fact if, owing to lack of funds, nothing more was done for years, the circuit round the island would be enormously improved. The driver of carriages would have a good road from Victoria viâ Pokfulam and Aberdeen about 8 miles in length to Deep-water Bay golf links, and on the other side an equally good road from Victoria to Tytam Tuk, the centre of probably the most beautiful part of the colony, 14½ miles in length, while to the average cyclist the circuit of the whole island would be an easy matter, as the only portion of the old road to be negotiated would be that from Deep-water Bay to Tytam Tuk, quite half of which is easy going.
14. I repeat that if the latter part of the above quoted resolution is rescinded, and the Committee give the Government a free hand, the money now in the bank will suffice to substitute for six of the worst and most difficult miles of the existing path, six miles of smooth well-graded carriage road 18 feet in width.
15. Now to look at the other side, The money in the bank will pay for the making of about 3 miles from Kennedytown towards Aberdeen, say to form a junction between the large Plague Cemetery and the Sandy Bay Plague Cemetery, useful I will admit should there unfortunately be again necessity to enlarge and extend these burial grounds, but scarcely the drive that ladies and children or jaded city workers would select, bearing in mind that it is exposed to the full glare of the afternoon and evening sun and that it would lead nowhere but would have to be retraced in returning.
16. Years would probably elapse before the $53,000 odd still necessary to complete this one section to Aberdeen could be spared from general revenue, and I may safely predict that none of the present generation would see the sections from Aberdeen to Stanley and Stanley to Shaukiwan opened to traffic.
17. Whether it would be wise to render 5 miles of rock-bound coast, defended now by nature from the landing of enemies, more accessible to a possible foe, is a question for military experts; common sense seems to point to leaving it alone.
18. I therefore, sir, would urge through your columns the calling together of a public meeting and a fresh expression of opinion on the part of the majority of the subscribers as to the disposal of the fund.
- I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant,
R. D. O'Brien,
Director of Public Works
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