CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12] — Page 147

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such rewise I contented amyself

course

with introducing

the

a

clause, the

object of which was, in general terms, saving of existing rights (Section 16)

(Signed) Henry John Ball,

Acting Alternney Coneral

November 25th, 1871.

(True Copy) I franchion Munster

سکات

Colonial Secretary.

REPORT

of the Special Committee on the proposed Ordinance to authorize "the Hongkong Pier and Godown Company, Limited," to construct a Pier in the Harbor of Victoria, and to confer upon the said Company certain other Powers and Privileges.

In considering this Bill and the plans for the Pier which the Company propose to erect at Wanchai, we have been assisted by the opinions of Merchants, professional men, and others, some of whom are interested and others entirely uninterested in the proposed scheme. We have, also, heard the views of the Directors of the Company through their Counsel Mr. HAYLLAR.

The erection of such a Pier as that projected would, in our opinion, be of undoubted and great advantage to the Colony, and would meet a want much required. The scheme, therefore, appears to deserve at the hands of the Executive and of the Legislative Council that support which the Bill is likely to give. But in recommending that the Bill, as amended, be passed, we trust that the Govern- ment, under the powers therein conferred, will not sanction the erection of the Pier unless the Company are prepared to alter the plans now before the Council, so as to give facilities to Foreign and Chinese boats for passing to and fro through the Pier at short distances from the Praya wall. For this purpose we consider that there should be two openings of 40 feet each in breadth within 300 feet from the Praya, and further that the outermost opening should be furnished with a draw- bridge or swing-bridge to be opened during boisterous weather at the instance of the Harbor Master and at such other times as the Governor in Council may by order direct. Or in lieu of this draw-bridge, we think that a permanent fixed opening should be so constructed as to allow of a height of 10 feet from high water

mark.

It has not been overlooked that such a requirement as the last would, in the one case, somewhat impede the traffic of the Pier, as we think that the bridge should be open if necessary at high water, and in the other, might perhaps necessi- tate the giving up the proposal to lay down Tramways on the Pier. Still the Lessecs of Murine Lots in the neighborhood of the property of the Company, are entitled to have their claims for easy access to their property considered, and it would, in our opinion, be wholly unjust and inexpedient to sanction an undue obstruction to the free passage along the Eastern portion of the Harbor hitherto enjoyed by a large floating population.

With these observations, we have the honor to submit an amended Bill for the consideration of the Council.

(Signed,)

13

J. GARDINER AUSTIN.

HENRY JOHN BALL.

CECIL C. SMITH.

**

P. RYRIE.

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R. ROWETT.

Council Chamber, 11th November, 1871.

C.