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Harbour frontage development as might be decided upon, and it was suggested that the Government should notify all lessees of such piers and pier sites that their leases would not be renewed after 1949.
(34) The Report gave some arguments, in support of the recommendations, apparently to the effect that private enterprise was in the least favourable position to meet the needs of a growing Port while the Government with its own system of administration would be in the best position with a free hand to develop the frontage on systematic lines.
(35) Whatever may be said on the merits or demerits of these arguments, a definite line of policy was suggested but I cannot find that the pier lessees were notified. It was naturally a difficult question with which the Government was faced. It is a fact, however, that the Government did in one case at least, refuse an extension of lease pending a general investigation into the question of policy in relation to the Harbour, and many of the leaseholders are under the impression that the Government does not intend to renew the leases.
(36) It may be mentioned that the average total annual rentals paid to the Government during the past three years for the permanent and temporary piers amounts to $43,600.
(37)
Warehouses or Godowns. Having regard to the nature of the trade of Hong Kong there is need for a good deal of warehousing or godown accommodation and this also has been provided by private enterprise. The godowns are all privately owned, some of them, particularly those of the Hong Kong & Kowloon Wharf & Godown Company, Limited, and Messrs. Alfred Holt & Company, (Messrs, Butterfield & Swire, Agents), being most up-to- date and excellent for their purpose.
(38) It is estimated that there is a total storage
capacity in the Port for about 1,000,000 tons of goods. The three largest Godown Companies have a storage capacity of roughly