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N°
407.
Sir,
61772
REC
Peat 26DEC16
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONGKONG. 3rd. November,
1916.
M
990725
741
Referring to Mr. Harcourt's Despatch No. 347
of the 15th. November, 1913, I have the honour to report that in the same month the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company approached this Government regarding the proposed erection of a permanent pier, 650 feet long by 45 feet wide, at Kowloon Point for the berthing of deep draught vessels; asking what arrangements the Government would make for the deepening of the approaches to the
pier.
2.
The increasing draught of steamers had for some time past rendered it advisable that dredging operations should be taken over a comparatively shallow area at Kowloon Point; I may mention that early in the present year a deeply laden vessel r aground there at low tide and remained fast for some hours; and I was therefore prepared favourably to consider the Company's pro- -posal, not only because I was satisfied that the additional pier accommodation was actually needed and that the site chosen was the best available, but also on the ground that the suggested dredging,
or the greater part of it, was necessary in the interests of the
Colony.
3.
The question was considered in detail, and after considerable correspondence with the Company, Mr. Churchill,
Acting
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
ANDREW BONAR LAW, H.P.,
&c.,
&C..
&c...
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