654
Hong Kong Annual Administration Reports, 1841–1941
HER MAJESTY'S COLONIAL POSSESSIONS.
refinery being built by the Chinese a little nearer the town, the machinery for that building is being obtained from Scotland; it is of the best kind, with all the latest improvements, and the machinery and buildings will cost about $350,000. I find that a small lot, inland lot No. 622, was sold for $510 to a European gentleman for the storage of timber. Next there is a lot sold for $2,525 to another European gentleman for kerosine godowns. These godowns have been nearly completed. The next lot, a small one, sold for $205, is still unoccupied.
Sea Wall and Godowns at Kowloon.
I come now to a very important sale that was effected at Kowloon of marine lots No. 20 and 21, sold, one for $29,025 and the other for $24,025. They have been purchased by Mr. Chater. The ground is now being reclaimed from the sea.
I had an opportunity some time ago of examining the plans and estimates, and with respect to that important work I have been furnished by Mr. Danby with a memorandum in which he states-
"The ground on the beach at Kowloon between Tsimtsa-tsui and the Royal Naval Coal Sheds was sold lately by Government to some influential capitalists in the Colony, who propose utilising it for commercial purposes by erecting large godowns and coal sheds thereon. The ground will be reclaimed by them, a strong sea wall being erected in front and for the whole length of the ground, wharves will also be constructed at intervals along the front of the sea wall so that vessels of large tonnage can lay alongside and either discharge or take in cargo, at any state of the tide and in all weathers, this position being sheltered from typhoons and strong gales by the Kowloon hills. Men-of-war and steam-ships anchor immediately in front of this place during the typhoon season. The storage capacity of the whole of the godowns will be about 375,000 tons, and the capital that will have been laid out on the project when completed will exceed one million dollars."
I find the next lots are lots bought by European gentlemen as sites for bungalows on the hills.
Large New Dock.
Next we come to a lot, at Belcher's Bay, which was sold for $36,100. On that lot there will be constructed a dock of large dimensions, for some of the Chinese gentlemen who purchased that valuable piece of Crown land have expressed to me their regret that Her Majesty's ship "Inconstant" should be seen leaving this harbour to proceed to Nagasaki to be docked, and they undertake that when they have an opportunity of making their new dock, Hong Kong will then have a dock capable of taking in the largest vessel in Her Majesty's service. I find certain