4
5. Sacred Rocks on the way to Kowloon City.
6. New Chinese Garden City on Reclamation at Kowloon City.
7. The Museum,
8.
Public Gardens.
4.
Statue Square.
10.
Sandlewood Mills at Tsin Wan.
11. Pineapple Plantations near Tsin Wan.
12. Walk from Taipo market to Waterfall at Plover Cove
Potteries.
13.
Golf Course and other attractions at Sheung Shiu.
14. Ride in narrow gauge railway from Fanling to Sha Tau Kok.
15. Walk through gorge from Tsin Wan to Licheekok.
16.
Happy Valley.
17. Big Wave Bay Bathing Beach.
18. The Peak Tramway.
19.
D'Aguilar Lighthouse and Wireless.
20. The Bowen Road.
21. The Native Departmental Stores.
22.
Chinese Hotels.
We suggest that much in this direction might be accomplished by giving some official in the P.W.D., with initiative and imagination, a free hand to carry out a definite scheme along these lines. The same official (if such paragons are to be found) might also be responsible for the organization of some scheme similar to that of the Welcome Society in Japan, and thus further encourage matters in the direc- tion indicated. This official could further look after the advertising of the Colony. As an alternative to the above, a special Publicity and Tourist Government Department might be established to work the above and various schemes akin to those suggested.
Private enterprise should be encouraged, and in connection with the development of many of the places, the natives should be encouraged and instructed how to keep places clean (a hard task) and in repair, and how there is money to be had by tips, sale of souvenirs, refreshments &c.
A WEST END PARK.
The present park between Bonham Road, Lyttleton Road and Robinson Road could be developed into a fine park in Chinese style, mainly for use of Chinese. Grottoes, Pagodas, Pavilions, all with plenty of seats, should be provided, and various exhibits might be shown here in an artistic Chinese setting, such as sundry war trophies, guns, &c.
PUBLIC BATHING BEACHES,
The present facilities should be extended and permanent pavil- ions might be erectd. At North Point the service and general ar- rangements should be such as to attract visitors. A more substantial public bath should be made with proper diving boards and various accessories of this nature. The beaches should be more effectively cleared of sharp stones, &c.
FACILITIES FOR PICNICS.
The picnic habit should be encouraged. Public pavilions and shelters should be built near the roadside at suitable spots, or con- venient places having scenic views. In at least a few of these shelters there should be made available a supply of reliable drinking water.
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IMPROVED FERRY SERVICE & COMMUNICATIONS.
The existing Ferry Service needs improving without delay. What is required are Ferries on the lines of the San Francisco-Oakland Service, big boats which can carry wheeled traffic as well as passen- gers. The Committee know all the difficulties which have been put forward in the past as reasons why larger boats cannot be employed, but are of opinion that the time has come when these will have to be surmounted, as otherwise the development of the mainland will be seri- ously hindered. Develop the means of access and transport, and the development of places made accessible in this way follows within a few years as a matter of course.
Some years ago a tunnel scheme through the Peak to the south side of the Island was mooted. This scheme might be revived, and also any other schemes to relieve the present congestion.
STREET SCAVENGING & REFUSE COLLECTION.
The whole of this work should be done between midnight and, say, 5 a.m. Also there should be a destructor in some place a little off the beaten track. The present methods of collection of refuse on the Praya are offensive. The Praya from end to end should be kept as free from objectionable sights, trades, etc., as possible.
QUEEN'S STATUE WHARF.
This has been an admitted eyesore for countless years. The pre- sent matshed should be removed and a proper structure erected with- cut further delay.
RICKSHAW SERVICE.
This is capable of great improvement. All first-class rick- Ehaws should have pneumatic tyres and be more attractive in ap- pearance than the present style. A higher legal scale of fares would be involved but no objection would be made to this. The existing type of rickshaws could constitute a second-class service.
HOTELS.
The time is obviously ripe for the establishment of one or more first class hotels here similar in style and equipment to the Vancouver Hotel owned and run by the C.P.R. This question is also bound up with the difficulty of securing suitable sites in the Central district, but we wish to emphasize that the matter of providing good hotels is the first essential towards attracting business men and tourists of the right kind. At the moment all hotels are so crowded that the Manager of Messrs. Thos. Cook and Son reports he frequently has to pack visitors off to Canton the day they arrive, it being impossible to get them sleoping accommodation in Hongkong. As a 1,000 room hotel would probably take 2 to 3 years to build this matter requires looking into at once, otherwise development will be very seriously retarded. As a result of our enquiries we have also to point out the very pressing need for at least one large middle class hotel, and serious attention should be given to this matter at once. The shortage of hotel accommodation is very real indeed and nothing should be left undone to rectify the present condition of affairs.
In the above connection the most suitable site for a new hotel is obviously the old Post Office site. No difficulty would be encountered in getting capital, providing Government is willing to sell the site at a reasonable price, and at the same time relax the building restric- tions, so that, say, a 10-storied building could be erected. With Gov- ernment assistance local enterprise is capable of accomplishing won- ders. Active American interests, backed by practically unlimited capital, are already prospecting with a view to opening a series of hotels in the principal centres of the Orient, and Hongkong should not have to rely on American enterprise to build its necessary hotels. The Colony is quite capable of building and running its own, provided
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