CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6] — Page 463

34.

35

}

462

-

enable the latter gentleman to erect piers and wharves in front of his property on the peninsula of Kowloon opposite HongKong. This Bill also was passed unanimously by the Legislative Council at am

to the.

later date; but owing receipt of Your Lordship's despatch 2:57 of the 3rd March ultimo, it

has not hitherto been transmitted

for confirmation

11.

I here insert an

article from the leading journal of Hong Kong, which fairly expresses

the

on

grounds of

strong feeling entertained in this community in favour of both the proposed schemes, publie policy, and of the necessity of providing facilities for the vast shipping-trade of this Colony.

The Daily Press.

HONGKONG, May 17th, 1884.

THE construction of piers and wharves in the harbour of Hongkong is a matter of the ntmost importance from a commercial point of view. The wonder is that the shipping interest has been so long content to put up with the primitive cargo boat arrange- ments. A good many years ago an at- ternpt was made to bring about an improvement by the construction of the Wanchai Pier, but this enterprise proved a failure, not because a pier was not wanted, but because the silting up of the harbour at that part rendered it inaccessible to large vessels. Sailing ships made use of it up to within a year or two ago, but the pier was recently removed altogether. The Legis- lative Council has now authorised the con- struction of piers and wharves both at West Point and Kowloon. Bills for this purpose were passed some time ago, but certain amendments were suggested by the Colonial Office, and the Bills have now been reintro- duced in an amended form. Ia introducing theseamended Bills on Thursday the Hon. W. KESWICK said that in almost every other port in the East there are superior facilities for shipping to those that are enjoyed here. The cargo boat arrangements have been good of their kind, and have rendered the want of wharves a less serious matter than it otherwise would have been, but in

steamer.