CO129-197 - Governor Hennessy - 1882 [1-2] — Page 453

C.O.

5477

RECO

REGE 20 MAR 82,

214 Febuary 1182.

lovemor Kirjohn Pope Henneergeend.

to

The Right Stonourable,

The Earl of Mimberleri

Transmitting Tramway Ordinance and the Jodernor's remarks on deep sea Praya making

a

in Victoria Harbour.

HongKong

N. 1 of 1882 The Tramway's Bill

(9th February, 1882.)

The sobedules were then pissed.

His EXCELLENCY-The Council has now ap- proved of the Bill in Committee and I have to pat the question that the Bill do pasa. In doing

so I think I ought to congratulate the hon. member who has bad charge of this Bill and the other promoters of the Bill. It is one of great importance and I think will do great good in the calony. I may say, with reference to that which has been in the minds of the Council from time to time, the great pressure of the traffic in Qason's-road, that I have some hope of being able to have a very large work undertaken in this colony which would have the effect of obviating that pressure. The work I refer to is one to which my attention was drawn some time ago by two deputations, one of Euro- pean gentlemen and one of Chinese. Repre. sentations were made to me by the Chinese to the effect that the lot holders along the sea frontage of the existing Praca would be prepared to undertake the expanse of making a wille Praya out into deep water. The Chinese, who hold a considerable amount of property extending from the extrame West up to this part of the town, offered to do the work at their own expense. i The estimate was $800,000 to $1,000,000. That work they were preparol to have undertaken at their own cosh, but by the Surveyor Gouoral, so that the work shoull be thoroughly done, į The other memorial, presented by my hou. friend Mr. Ryrie and other Europeau gentlemen, merely asked me to have the Praya extended out into deep water in front of their luts, but I apprehend they would be prepared to come ander the same condition as the Chiness if the Govern ment decided the work should be done aud gave them the reclaimed land. If that is done, and I have some hope it will be, it would relieve the pressure on Queen'a-road. How far it would be possible, after that is done, to amend the Tramways Ordinance so as to shift the tranway to that other road would be a ques- tiod for the company to ovusider, and the Government with them, but in now putting the question that the Bill pass I think it only proper I should advert to the possibility of that great work being undertaken, and I think it may be undertaken in 1883. The smaller Praga to which I alluded, at the other side of the harbour, will be undertaken in 1882, and if the other is accomplished, or undertaken, in 1883, we shall have no reason then to be ashamed of either sido of the harbour.

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