- 2.
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161
Edwin Taylor is, I suggest, preeminently suited for the post. His experience with the Singapore and Penang Harbour Boards committee has given him all he needs in the way of suitable experience, and, if he could be persuaded to give say two days a week to the Hong Kong committee, I believe that the difficulties inherent in Colman's absence could be largely
overcome.
Hom
(5) There remains the question of machinery to perform the technical functions of Colman's unit. The Hong Kong Board Planning Unit will work closely in touch with the Army in so far as the reception ef handling of cargo are concerned. It will also work closely with the Navy in so far as the use of the harbour by the Navy is concerned. It is, therefore, particularly important if the long term interests of Hong Kong are to be served, for the unit to be civilian. The staff required by Colman in addition to Secretary General would probably be:-
1. A Civil Engineer, preferably but not necessarily,
a man with local experience. In practice, no doubt, the advice of D.P.W. would be available, and you may well, in any case, wish him to be a member of the Harbour Board committee.
2. A Marine Adviser with knowledge of local waters
will be necessary, and it may be that a Ship Owner such as Mr. Wurtzburg, could provide a suitable mariner.
master
dexical
3. A good deal of purely clinical or technical work
will have to be done in the preparation of indents of requirements. Such work for the harbour has already been undertaken by the Hong Kong Planning Unit, and perhaps this Unit could continue to make available that kind of assistance to Colman's Unit.
In conclusion it would, I feel, be in keeping with the policy proposed by Sir David Owen if even at this stage the Harbour Board Committee were brought into being, in order that those who use the Bed might at least have a say in the plans of the Unit which will represent the future Harbour Board.