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The traffic between Sha U Chung and Hong Kong is already very considerable, three and four launches instead of two have been running recently, and there is not room on the limited area of shore there for an indefinite number of piers, the property of different launch companies.
It is impossible to say what development the traffic is capable of, and I think that therefore it would be unwise for Government to give up to private owners any part of the foreshore.
If a pier is erected at all it should, I think, be erected by this Government as a public pier. The shore is so steep that such might perhaps be done without trenching on Chinese soil at all.
It appears that since the launch service was instituted to and from Sha U Chung the passenger traffic has increased, but the shipment of cattle has ceased, as they cannot be carried on the launches and it does not pay to run junks for them. They are now driven overland to Tai Po and thence to Yaumati.
(Signed) P.H. May,
Captain Superintendent of Police,
28-9-99.
Submitted. I agree with the Captain Superintendent of Police in thinking that it would be unwise to grant any private rights. The best plan would, in my opinion, be to erect a pier at public expense and charge launches using it, so as to recoup the outlay.
(Signed) J.H. Stewart Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary,
23-9-99.
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