-9-
106
by Mr. E.R.Hallifax, then Secretary for Chinese Affairs, and
Mr. C.W.Beckwith, then Harbour Master. In it the opinion was
expressed that it was desirable to aim at the ownership by the
Government of all piers, it being presumed that Government
control could be made a "sound financial proposition".
(32) The second Report is signed by Mr. John Duncan the then Harbour Engineer and Mr.L.C.P. Rees, then Principal Land
Surveyor, and is dated 1st September, 1922. The authors of the
Report had been asked to report on certain pier sites and were
instructed, when dealing with the matter, to bear in mind the
opinion expressed by the Colonial Secretary and the Harbour
Master at a meeting of the Town Planning Committee, to the
following effect:-
(33)
(a) In future the Government should not alienate any
more of the Harbour frontage for the erection of
private piers for the purpose of dealing with
ocean-borne merchandise.
(b) In future the Government should erect, maintain
and administer all piers designed to acoomodate
ocean-going steamers.
(c) The Government should pursue a policy of acquiring
and thereafter administering existing piers,
with however certain exceptions such as those of
the Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf & Godown Company,
and Messrs. Alfred Holt & Company.
(d) Whenever opportunity arises, the Government should
acquire existing ferry pier sites, and in future
all new ferry piers should be erected and
maintained by the Government.
The Report made certain recommendations in accordance
with this policy, it being emphasised that these recommendations
were made on the clear understanding "that the Government would
exercise its rights in 1949 and take possession of all existing
pier sites", the leasing of which might hinder such policy of