B.
C
accordance with Sir David Owen's own "note" in para. 83(j) of his report.
6
(4) They also suggest that the consent of the Governor in Council rather than that of the Governor should be required for any changes in rats, rates etc. are levied by the Trust. This is an obvious modification, and I doubt whether Sir David Owen really meant to leave such a decision to the Governor himself. (5) The Executive Council have also suggested that the Trust should have discretionary power to authorise the sub-letting of pier leases. On this they have diverged most widely from Sir David Oven's report (see pura. 83(j)) where he emphasises that in his view sub-letting should be allowed under no circumstances, and that it is highly undesirable that lessees should, as some have done, sub-let their piers at a profit of rental, which increases the charge the sub-tenant levies on ships using the harbour. On this I think we should ask for further details on the facts taken into consideration by the Executive Council on making their recommendation.
On this much turns on the appointment of Chairman as well, I think, that the S. of 8. should ask the Governor whether he wishes him (the 3. of 3.) to make enquiries for a suitable man, and if so at
hat sal ry. I see no reason why we should not approve
senation
Port Trust, sung 5.ofs. glad of further informachin
8. Brysson Benningham
4/12/41
Sir J. Shuckburgh.
by at A
but would be
as at B. crashing met C
Wish 7 mon
mm.
10.11.418
1-12-41
The port of Hong Kong which, from the point of view of shipping tonnage entering and clearing, is one of the world's principal ports, has not hitherto been organised under a port authority or harbour commission as, for instance, in London or Singapore. une of the chief officials of the Hong Kong Government is the Harbour Master and his department controls navigation within the port limits as well as performing the functions of Registrar of Shipping, Examiner of Masters, Marine Magistrate and certain other subsidiary functions. Constructional work on Government piers, dredging and reclamation, providing mooring buoys and so on has been the responsibility of the Public Works Department. Various private owners have long leases of harbour frontages and are responsible for the construction and maintenance of their own piers and wharves. Last year it was decided, on the recommendation of the Governor of the Colony, to have an expert investigation carried out as to whether these arrangements for the exercise authority in the port were sufficient and should be continued, seeing that decisions would have to be taken in the early future regarding the renewal of
an