حد
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I can only apologize for the gross delay in sending on this file which I have now put in colour.
It is the more regrettable since some attention has been focussed on Hong Kong recently both in the House, the Press and in letters to the Secretary of State. In some of these the need for a Town Planner is stressed; in all of them the point is made that in Hong Kong there is an opportunity to demonstrate a model progressive community in the Far East and that to this end there should be a long term development plan. In any such plan housing and town planning must take a major place. Even before the war housing conditions were recognized as some of the worst in the world but due to the difficulties (including that of accommodating displaced persons) it has
not hitherto been possible to do very much. As the Governor has said in despatch No. 234 of the 16th December (5 on 19275/65/17) the appointment of an expert of standing would be of great assistance in expediting the preparation of a radical plan pvocenuwi,
John Flaman The Governor does not mention either the period of time he envisages for such an appointment or the salary that he would propose. I gather that experience has shown that not less than two years is generally desirable.
Indeed a longer period might be necessary
in Hong Kong, or alternatively if the expert got out a long term plan it might be for consideration later whether a permanent town planner should not be appointed to supervise its implementation.
The appointment of a town planner for Borneo has been approved at a salary of £1500 per annum. (I attach at 2 a note of the particulars.) If we are to get a
first class man I would think it may be necessary to pay more in Hong Kong. In comparison with Borneo the problems are likely to be much more intricate. There are important influential and vested interests in Hong Kong and it will probably be necessary to arrange for the resumption of land. The zoning of factories will probably have to be considered and certainly the development of the port. The geographical features also present difficulties due to the steepness of the hills and the congestion of the buildings on them. I understand that there are houses with as many as five basements and that in the old part of the town there are still back to back houses built before the date of the Public Health and Building Ordinance.
It is the opposition that would probably be met from these powerful vested interests which no doubt causes the Governor to ask for an expert of standing. The Secretary of State is against paying the high fee that would be necessary for Sir Patrick Abercrombie and equally I suppose someone else of comparable status but perhaps Appointments Department would very kindly suggest names which though of lesser standing would nevertheless carry sufficient weight in Hong Kong. Perhaps they would also advise on the salary that it would probably be necessary to pay.
In addition to the salary there would be the cost of a return passage (and possible a return passage for a wife) outfit allowance and office expenses. Presumably the P.W.D. will be able to provide draftsmen and pedibly any other technical assistants required, but this we should clear with the Governor.
/Mr.