CO129-216 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [5-6] — Page 464

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steamer traffic the question of saving time has become so pressing that the existing conditions no longer supply the require- ments of trade. Most of the cargo landed here has to be transhipped, and the two operations of landing the goods and re- shipping them by means of cargo-boats ne- cessarily mean considerable delay. In both of the enterprises which have been approved by the Legislature, godowus will be built in immediate proximity to the wharves. Ships will be able to run alongside the wharves on their arrival, and the work of loading and onloading will be greatly facilitated by trucks running on a tr mway from the vessel's berth to the godown where the goods are to be stored or are waiting for shipment. The Harbour Master has made an official report on the subject, in which he fully recognises the adavntage of the undertakings as regards the saving of time, and gives his professional opinion that the wharves will constitute no impediment to navigation in such a large harbour as that of Hongkong. He points out that the only danger to be guarded against is that of silting up, but this either the promoters or the Go. vernment will be able to provide against by dredging. The promoters will have 10 monopoly of the use of the wharves. The Bill secures priority of use to Her Majesty's ships, and then other vessels are to be ac commodated in order of priority of applica- tion; the rules and regulations for the use and maintenance of the wharves, piers, and tramway are to be published in the Gazette, and the Governor in the Council is empowered to require the proprietors to make such rules as are requisite for the protection of the rights of the public generally. The colony

is indebted to the promoters for the boon abont to be conferred upon the colony. In view of the failure of the Wanchai pier some courage was necessary to enter on similar undertakings, and we hope the parties con- cerned will be rewarded by handsome peeu- niary returns from their undertakings. With regard to Messrs. JARDINE, MATHESON, and Cu's proposed wharf at West Point, there can be little doubt as to its ultimate success. The site is well chosen, in immediate con- tignity to the native hongs and godowns, and

Chinese merchants, we anticipate, will not be slow to avail themselves of the advantages it will offer to them for the speedy loading and discharge of cargo. With regard to Mr. CHATER'S gigantic undertaking at Kowloon, the boldness of the conception well nigh took away the breath of mercantile men when it was first brought forward. Hitherto, with the exception of the naval coal sheds, there bave been no godowns at Kowloon, but MY. CHATER's idea is, so far as we under- stand, to build wharves there alongside which the largest vessels can lie at all states of the tide, to provide ample godown ac- commodation, and so to attract shipping to that side of the harbour by the excellent facilities he offers. The enterprise deserves success, and time no doubt will justify Mr. CHATER'S courage and prove that his fore. sight was accurate,

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Seeing however, that it

is inferred from the language

and

tone of the despatch 11:57 that both

the above-mentioned Bills will be

disallowed, if not altered in the

sense

: prescribed, the promoters at first proposed to bring in Amendment Bills embodying the alterations dictated by the Colonial

Office. But having regard to the general inconvenience of referential legislation, and to the importance of preserving, as far as possible the ~ simplicity of the Statute Book, it

was

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