Colonial Office No. 54403/10/50. Secretariat file No. 14/4661/47.
SAVINGRAM
To the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
293
تله
Date. 31
• May 19510
No.
622
2
7th February.
1480
C. D. and W. Scheme D. 1243.
Further to my telegram 473 and your savingram 104 of
Piers in the New Territories,
The interim grant of £5,000 was to enable borings to be made, but as a result of various economies made in the arrangements for the borings the total cost to the Public Works Department (which will be handling the Scheme) was only H. K. $500 This was charged to 1949/50 works votes,
part of
I now therefore seek permission to use this £5,000 in a different way closely connected with the Scheme in hand,
A certain amount of work is required in connexion with surveying approach roads to the Tai O pier and the other piers which this Government is proposing to finance as its part of the general scheme for improving pier facilities in the New Territories, as mentioned in paragraph (d) of the memorandum accompanying my despatch 129 of 4th December 1950. It is also expected that the construction 175of piers at Silver Mine Bay (already constructed) and the other places
selected under the scheme will lead to increased building activity in these areas. For this reason it is considered advisable to undertake some simple village planning in order to avoid the waterfront congestion which may easily result and of which Cheung Chau as it is at present is a significant example. This planning would take into account water supply and drainage problems; the personnel employed would prepare rural development schemes at each site recommended by the local Colonial Develorment and Welfare Committee and supervize worka,
I propose therefore to maintain for a period of between 18 months and 2 years a. survey party to investigate the improvement of communications, village planning, minor water supplies and related problems, for the benefit of the rural population in the Colony's out- lying districts and islands,
would be:
On the basis of employment for 2 years the cost of this team
X
AC
One Assistant Engineer
$10,560
One Assistant Surveyor
6,000
One Chairman
1,344
Four Survey Coolies
4.320
822,224 per annum
Cost of living, Subsistence and travelling allowances – allow
22,110 11
#
Total
$ide,334
tt
I seek early approval of this so that action may be taken to engage the necessary personnel, all of whom will be available locally.
G JUN 1951
AC:kow