CO129-331 - Public Offices - 1905 — Page 34

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river were dredged, the water would not be suffi-

ciently deep to admit of the largest steamers coming

Hal

up at all states of the tide.

(a)

Canton-Kowloon Line. The line to Kowloon

would certainly solve the problem in the most effec-

tual manner, and in the way most favourable to Brit-

1sh interests. But unless some indication is given

that it is really to be taken in hand, the Whampoa

Railway stands every chance of becoming a fait ac-

compli.

As a matter of fact the Canton-Kowloon line

would rather prevent trade being diverted from Hong-

kong than attract any very great additional volume.

It would of course bring a certain amount of local

traffic in its train; but would probably not develop

any new through traffic. In fact, as far as through

traffic is concerned, it could not possibly expect

to compete with carriage by water, either in point

of view of speed, of convenience, or of cheapness.

The détour which the railway would have to make to

include Shek-lung, the largest market in the dis-

trict

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