CO129-322 - Acting Governor May - 1904 [1-5] — Page 774

Sir,

To accompany Encloure s

B

e. 770

Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

19th. May, 1904. 04.

(arba el.

Mistuo sien so

dacofus elyna. Ide

In view of the progress now being made with the Bankow to

Canton Railway, and other lines in South China, Your Excellency is no

again doubt aware that during the past few months public attention has been directed toweris the projected Cantonło Kowloon Railway, a concession

for which was obtained from the Imperial Chinese Government so lone as

the spring of 1899.

While it bas from the first been admitted by all those

concerned in the welfare of this Colony that it is imperative Hong Kong

should be the sea terminus for the main trunk line which will before

many years are past bisect Chins from Peking to Canton, it was not till

recently felt that need for this line to Hong Kong was so pressing that it

necessary to suggest any public influence being brought to bear upon the

Concessionaires with a view to hastening the construction of the line.

The progress which has been made with the main line has, however

changed all this, and it is now, in the opinion of this Chamber, desirable

for public influence to make itself felt in the interests of the Colony.

At the aqual meeting of the Hong Kong General Chamber of

Commerce, beld on the 27th. ultimo, the importance of this question was

very strongly insisted upon, and the Committee of the Chamber were

requested to deal with the ratter as one of urgency.

For your Excellency's information, I beg to enclose copy of the

report of the proceedings of the meeting as published in the local press.

To His Excellency,

Sir Ernest Saton, G.C.H.G.

H. B. M. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentisry,

PBK IN G.