33
river were dredged, the water would not be suffi-
ciently deep to admit of the largest steamers coming
Hal
up at all states of the tide.
(a)
Canton-Kowloon Line. The line to Kowloon
would certainly solve the problem in the most effec-
tual manner, and in the way most favourable to Brit-
1sh interests. But unless some indication is given
that it is really to be taken in hand, the Whampoa
Railway stands every chance of becoming a fait ac-
compli.
As a matter of fact the Canton-Kowloon line
would rather prevent trade being diverted from Hong-
kong than attract any very great additional volume.
It would of course bring a certain amount of local
traffic in its train; but would probably not develop
any new through traffic. In fact, as far as through
traffic is concerned, it could not possibly expect
to compete with carriage by water, either in point
of view of speed, of convenience, or of cheapness.
The détour which the railway would have to make to
include Shek-lung, the largest market in the dis-
trict
6