Enclosure No: 1 to Despatch No. 184 of the 8th. April, 1903.
Hongkong, April 4th, 1903.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES,
LONDON.
The humble petition of the undersigned residents in the Colony of Hongkong'on behalf of the Community
Respectfully sheweth that your petitioners desire to bring to your notice the following facts concerning a matter of great moment to the Colony and one which has a very direct bearing on its future advancement and prosperity.
2. We refer to the question of the Admiralty Dock now under construction and the contemplated extension of the Naval Yard.
3. We understand that certain unforeseen engineering difficulties have arisen and that an opportunity may have thus presented itself by which it is possible that if representations be made by the residents of Hongkong, the site of the Dock may be changed without detriment to the efficient docking and repairing of H.M. Ships of War.
4. The question of the present position of the dock is one of such vital importance to the future development of our Colony that we consider we are justified in approaching you on the subject in the hope that a representation of our views may result in the whole question being reconsidered by the various advisers of His Majesty who are concerned in the matter.
5. In support of our contention that much harm must eventually result to the Colony by the proposed Naval Establishment occupying what should, looking to the future, be part of our most important business centre, we beg to submit the following
facts.
6. A glance at the attached map of Hongkong will show that the Naval Dock fard is in the centre of the sea front of the City of Victoria and we would point out that
the general tendency is for all leading places of business to congregate in the immediate icinity of the proposed dock.
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