CO129-153 - Lieut Governor Whitfield - 1871 [11-12] — Page 148

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I do not in all respects approve of the views expressed in the Committee's Report.

A Pier, designed to afford all the facilities that have been stated will be derived from the construction in question, would, doubtless, be of great utility and importance to the Colony, but it appears to me only necessary to remark that the property of the Company is of 210 feet frontage and 267 feet depth, to establish a serious doubt of the capacity of such an area, to accommodate the traffic of Hongkong to such an extent as to render of no consequence, the inconvenience, delay, and danger which the Pier, on the plans given in by the Company, would cause to the ance of goods in the harbour. I believe I am correct in viewing the capacity of convey- such a piece of land, when covered with Godowns, as wholly inadequate to afford those facilities which are expected of the Pier, and for which it is desired that the Colony should surrender its right to a highway for Boats along the Wanchai shore; and I am of opinion that the utmost care should be taken in granting concessions to the Company that nothing shall be erected that would impede general traffic far more seriously than would be compensated for by the facilities which it is hoped the Wharf would afford.

If the Pier were made in its whole length on a level with the Praya and with no elevation to the openings, the evidence obtained by the Committee showed that the passages would, to all intents and purposes, be little better than useless. The alternative remedies proposed by the Committee I do not think sufficient, or in their character altogether desirable, and for these reasons:

1st. That I am of opinion that the traffic, present and prospective, requires that there should be two openings each of 40 feet in width and of 10 feet in height above high water level, and that these openings should not be subject to being closed.

2nd.--That a Pier with a draw-bridge would, if the passages were to be of use to the public, be rendered liable to be frequently opened, thus subjecting the work of the Wharf to interruptions and delays that would prove very seriously detrimental to the despatch, upon which, as an undertaking of a public character, so much of its success depends.

3rd.--That though important that Boats with immovable masts should have passage, I do not think any serious hardship or injustice would be done by excluding them, and I consider they should be looked upon as subor- dinate, in the public interest, to the Pier which could not give them passage without serious injury to its usefulness.

I advocate, therefore, that the Pier should be raised sufficiently at the openings

to afford a passage of 10 feet in height at high water, and that the Company should have the right conceded to a permanent and fixed way over the openings.

I understand no serious difficulties would be encountered in making such an elevation, but even if there were, I think the Directors of the Company and its Engineer would overcome them.

(Signed,)

W. KESWICK.

EC.