CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12] — Page 71

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The traffic between Sha U Chung and HongKong is al-

ready very considerable, three and four launches instead of two

have been running recently, and there is not room on the limited

area of shore there for an indefinite number of piers, the pro-

perty of different launch companies.

It is impossible to say what development the traffic

is capable of, and I think that therefore it would be unwise

for Government to give up to private owners any part of the

foreshore,

If a pier is erected at all it should I think be

erected by this Government as a public pier. The shore is so

steep that such might perhaps be done without trenching on

Chinese soil at all..

It appears that since the launch service was insti-

tuted to and from Sha U Chung the passenger traffic has in-

creased,

but the shipment of cattle has ceased, as they cannot be

carried on the launches and it does not pay to run junks for

them. They are now driven overland to Tai Po and thence to

Yaumati.

I Signed . P.H.May,

Captain Superintendent of Police,

28-9-99.

Z

Your Excellency,

Submitted. I agree with the Captain Superintendent

of Police in thinking that it would be unwise to grant any

private rights. The best plan would in my opinion be to erect

a pier at public expense and charge

to recoupe the outlay."

launches using it, so as

( Signed ) J.H.Stewart Lockhart,

Colonial Secretary

23-9-99.

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