54298/1/46.
Colonial office,
129 6
Downing Street,
S.W.1.
19th February, 1947.
Dear Wiltshire,
We should be grateful for your advice in the following connection. The Governor of Hong Kong has asked in a telegram, of which I enclose a copy, for a Town Planning expert of high repute to advise on development round the port and the two cities of Victoria and Kowloon.
✔
There was need, even before the war, for the replanning and rebuilding of the old part of Victoria where Chinese housing conditions were recognised as bad, and the damage caused by the war offers a notable opportunity for action in this direction. As you will, gather from the Governor's telegram, however, there are the reactions of the various interests concerned to be considered in selecting a man for this job. The importance of the port and harbour in any development of Hong Kong must also, of course, be taken into account. Sir Mark Young apparently envisages a visit by a highly qualified expert, presumably a consultant, if that is the right expression, rather than the appointment at this stage of a Town Planner for working out a detailed plan.
We should be very gald to know whether, in the light of your experience and knowledge of what is required in the way of town planning advice, you consider that the visit of a consultant would be the most appropriate way of approaching the problem in
M.M.T. WILTSHIRE, ESQ.
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