Dear Sir,
16, Queen's Road,
Beckenham, Kent.
66
The report of the late Sir David Owen on the Admin-
istration and Development of the Harbour of Hong-Kong has
been published in recent numbers of the Dock & Harbour
Authority, and reviewed by Mr. John Duncan, formerly Fort
Engineer of Hong-Kong. Mr. Duncan disagrees with many of
In
Sir David's recommendations, and this is not surprising.
dealing with such a complex problem it is inevitable that
there should be various opinions as to the best methods to be
adopted.
It is not easy to write now on these matters, under
the shadow of events that have transpired in the short time
since the report was presented: first, Sir David's regrettable
death when on his way home, and second, the tragic fate that
has since overtaken the little Colony. We look forward to the
day when Hong-Kong will be restored to freedom and prosperity,
and if, as I hope, the Harbour Trust recommended by Sir David
Owen comes into being, that body will be able, with its full
local knowledge, to give consideration to conflicting views
as to the best lines of development in the conditions then
existing.
It is not my intention to discuss controversial
matters, but to deal briefly with some points raised by Mr.
Duncan/
1