MR. CONFIDENTIAL
Sir.
Ansel
ARC
ED
ST
2 MAY 1933
GOL. VICE
*
12717/1
GOVERNMENT HOUSE.
HONG KONG, 29th March, 1933.
With reference to your telegram No. 21 of the
23rd February, 1933, on the subject of the Foreshore and
Seabed Works Bill, I have the honour to forward a copy
of the bill as revised by a Committee of Executive Council,
and approved, after full consideration, by the whole Council.
2. The bill like the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinances
No.10 of 1900 and No.27 of 1930, and the Foreshore and
92583/24/32 Seabed Ordinances, No.15 of 1901 and No.26 of 1932, and
also the Straits Settlements Ordinance No.69 (Foreshores),
is general in its application and is in accordance with
the recognised principle of English law that owners of land
may be required by the legislature to surrender for
purposes of public utility some or all of the rights they
possess over their land. In the case of specially large
but concentrated undertakings, such as the Harbour of
Refuge, No.39 of 1909, and the Praya East Reclamation No.
17 of 1921, it has been found convenient to proceed by
special Ordinance. But in a Colony of the geographical
formation of Hong Kong there are many schemes, for example
approaches to vehicles and passenger ferries, which render
a general bill essential to the proper planning and develop-
ment of the Colony. The adequate protection of the
THE IGHT HONOURABLE
SIR P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER, G.B.E., M.C., M.P.,
&C.,
&c.,
&c.
harbour