412
Josure 3.
of machines, and the require ents for the Base and the
Personnel. It provides also an estimate of the
expenditure, capital and recurring. Any expenditure for
the acquisition of land necessary for an aerodrome will be
additional to the estimated capital expenditure of
£16,500.
There still remains for consideration the question
of the possible developments of Civil Aviation in general.
Tentative efforts have already been made on certain routes
from Hongkong, and it cannot be doubted that geographical
considerations alone will make the Colony an essential
stage in any scheme that may be developed either for
communication with the interior of China or for connecting
China with Singapore and so with lines to Europe and to
Australia.
10.
I recognise the fact that conditions in the
Colony, and perhaps in China, will make seaplanes
generally preferable to landplanes, ye: I consider it
essential to reserve sufficient ground for landplanes also.
The policy outlined in the Air Miristry notes, to which
reference is made in paragraph 6 above, shows that these
may become necessary. Lighter-than-air craft, the
development of which is foreshadowed, will, I understand
require nearly as much ground space for mooring etc. 28
it is proposed in this scheme to reserve for land planes.
Koreover, there is no other ground in the Colony or in
the New Territory which offers even moderately good
facilities for conversion into an aerodrome; and, if the
Kai Tak ground is lost, no other could replace it.
11. Pending further experience of local flying
conditions, and indications as to the beat policy to
pursue, I consider it advisable to acquire more than the
5.
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