تاره
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94
B
as there is no rom on this side of the Harbour for more
coolies, who must live in Kowloon and come over every day,
thereby increasing their expense.
Another factor seriously affecting
the use of the proposed large graving dock is worthy of
notice. Along this Southern shore of the Harbour the tide
runs at rates varying from One to Thres and half knots.
This night compromise the safety of a large Ship attmpt-
ing to enter the dock except during the short period of
slæk water at high tide. This gide is also exposed to
the heavy North-East Monsoon.
I am aware that the Extension has
been adopted, plans arranged, and a contract entered in-
So for the construction of a graving dock and a basin.
But the work upon the dock Extension so far is insigni-
fisant in amount, and already it is being realised that
the proposed basin is not sufficient in area for the
accommodation of the larger Vessels of the British Fleet,
and the unforeseen existence of a bed of tough coral
from two to six feet in thickness overlying hard granits
renders it certain that the time calculated for the
construction of the dock must be extended, a serious
matter for the Admiralty requirments, while the expence
of excavation will largely exceed present calculations,
a serious matter for the Contractors. We have thus under
present conditions, ermped space, with no power of
pansion, unforeseen difficulties in excavation, a tidal
current