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one from Great Britain or some other part of
the Empire, but not necessarily if there are
suitable persons in this locality who are
not actively engaged in business connected
with shipping.
(c) The Trustees, other than the Chairman, to be unpaid,
but the Chairman, who would be required to devote
a large portion of his time, though not perhaps
the whole, to his duties, to be paid a
suitable annual fee.
Note. I should think there are sufficient
public-spirited men in Hong Kong who would
undertake the duties of Trustee without any
pecuniary remuneration. There was evidently
no difficulty in getting persons to act on the
Advisory Board and Committee.
(d) This Body of Harbour Trustees to remain in being for
three years, as an experiment.
Note. I make this suggestion, as the idea of a
Port Trust is a new one for Hong Kong, and in
certain quarters might be viewed with
apprehension. A trial period of three years would enable the Trust to justify its
existence, while the experience gained would show in what direction some modifications, if
any, might be necessary.
To put it on a very low level, the Trust
could do no harm in that period.
When established on a permanent basis, I
would suggest that the appointment of Trustees
should be in each case for three years, they
all being eligible for re-appointment
of
course at the discretion of the Governor.
It might, however, be desirable to
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