* USED NEW ADMIRALTY DUCK AT
HONG KONG.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. Sir, Will net some member of the Honse-of Commons put the following questions to the First Lord of the Admiralty ?
1. Do the Admiralty object to the request of the residents of Hong-kong, contained in a petition to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated Hong-kong, April 4, that a Royal Commission be appointed to consider the question of the change of site for the new Admiralty dock ?
2. Ja it true that the original borings taken by Adruiralty officials out here have proved incorrect and misleading?
Is it from that, in consequence of the nature of the ground having proved very different from what was expected, the time and cost of construction will exceed the original estimates ?
4. If so, what is the estimated extra time and cost? 5. Is it not true that the early completion of the work is not essential, as there is already a large dock si Hong- kong, capable of docking all butthe very largest ships in his Majesty's Navy, and another in course of construc. tion which, it is understood, will be subsidized by the Admiralty, and which will be capable of docking the largeet vessels in the world, both of which docks will, of course, be entirely at the disposal of the Admiralty in times of emergency, as well as available under ordinary circumstances ?
6. In view of there being no danger from delay, will the Admiralty explain their reasons for refusing the request-of the petitioners?
7. In view of the confined and cramped position of the present, intended site, is it not probable that the accom modation there will be found insufficient even before the works are completed ?
8. Could not another and more commodious site, capable of indefinits expansion, be found on the island of Hong-kong, or on the point of mainland opposite which juts into the middle of the harbour ?
9. Is it not a fact that the value of the present site and work is estimated by export judges to b sufficient to defray the whole cost of removal well as the cost of the new site?
£8
The object of these questions is to draw attention to the great and unnecessary hardship the community of Hong kong will suffer if this foolish achome of the Admiralty to build a dock where no dock should be is persisted in. The site, when it was first-chosen, was generally condemned, although many only dared say so under thei breath; and now it is an open secret that some ouÉ has blundered over the original borings and that difficulties tave arisen in finding, or rather having to make, a proper bottom-so much so that it h generally understood it would be cheaper and better il instead of throwing good money after bad the Admiralty would face the music and admit their mistake.
it.
the
A petition, a copy of which I enclose, asking for Royal Commission to inquire into the truth of thes matters was forwarded on April 8 last to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, through the Governor here, Sir Henry Blake, who was quite in accord with In reply, Mr. Chamberlain states that Admiralty admit it would be an advantage if more room were available for extension, and enclosed no the extract of a letter from the Admiralty to Colonial Office, dated March 9, 1903 (which could not, therefore, be a special reply to the petition), which saya that their lordships cannot assent to the abandonment of the works," the early completion of which they believe to be necessary to security." It is possible that the Admiralty balievo this; but their belief is evidently not strong enough to enable them to face a Royal Commis sion and give reasons for the faith that is in them. The residents of Hong-kong, on the other hand, are strongly of opinion that the present dock accommodation of be more than Hong-kong is ample, and will soon
and ample for all the requirements of the Admiralty: every all
engineer or military or naval official that you privately admit not only this but also that s most inconvenient and expensive site has been chosen-- a site that is furthermore a direct loss and injury to the traffic of the Colony by blocking up our water front
and
alth off the east from the west end of the town- of course, most are cbary of openly condemn acts of their predecessors.
the Admiralty now seam two points on
iog
of
eList
to rely-for they seem to have given up their old contention that their great god strategy would not allow them to build anywhere but in the middle our principal thoroughfares-are the want of other dock accommodation and the cost of changing the site now the work has been tegen. But the first objection is met by the existing docks and that now in course of construction by a private firm, and the second does not for the value of the present site on Queen's-road it is ridiculous that it should be is
enormous, and it is
there is so much cheap wasted
on Buch
A purpose when land available outside the town. Where I think the petition was weak was in not more forcibly drawing the attention of Mr. Chamberlain to theen points; for we were bound to propound a remedy for the evils of which we complain, and could not expect my Lords of the Admiralty to shift their dock merely because it would prove
that already. nuisance-it is
As to an alternative site, there are several, for none could be more ill-chosen than the present one; and in a subsequent letter I shall be pleased to forward you a pro posal for what would be a far more commodions, ecoco- mical, and suitable naval establishment than that at present contemplated.
In the hope that you will kindly find space for this letter in your columns, and that some old Chins hand or other public-spirited member of the House way read it and conie to our assistance,
I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
Hong-bong, July 17.
ROBT. SHEWAN.
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