-18-
115-
that it is impossible easily to compare the revenue derived
from it with the expenditure on it, but it would appear that
the revenue from light dues, buoy dues, rents of piers and ferry royalties exceeds any expenditure which chould be charged
against it.
should
(68) It may be further noted that there does not seem to
have been much in the nature of planning for the future
development of the Port, although I am bound to mention that
Mr. Andrew Nicol, A.M. Inst. C.E. the Engineer in charge of the
Harbour Works, has displayed a deal of foresight in many plans
which he has prepared for dealing with certain aspects of the
physical side of the Port. There has, however, been no
officially adopted plan of development, and it is practically
impossible for the ordinary civil servant, having regard to his
general duties, to do much in that direction.
(69) As stated in paragraph 25, Hong Kong owes its trade
and prosperity largely to its magnificent Harbour, so much so
that it may be said that the Harbour is the Colony and the
" a lances
Colony is the Harbour. Jealous 'eyes have been cast at it,
hence we hear from time to time of schemes for the establishment
or improvement of other Ports, with the object of robbing Hong
Kong of its trade.
(70) All this makes it important that the Port of Hong
Kong should be carefully nurtured by keeping its facilities
adequate, and, above all, the burden of its charges as light as
possible. Here I may remark that I am struck by the lowness
of the charges which the principal godown Companies are able to
make, they being lower than those at any of the many Ports of
which I have knowledge.
(71) If things are to remain as they are, the Government
presumably would have to renew the pier leases on their
expiration, for such further periods as they thought fit and at
appropriate rents, which could reasonably be higher than those
at present in force, so giving security of tenure to the