CO129-389 - Governor Sir Lugard Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1912 [3-4] — Page 272

CONFIDENTIAL.

CO 13603

207

27 12

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG, 29th. March, 1912.

sir,

713/10

In reply to paragraph 2 of your Confidential Despatch of 25th. January, I have the honour to inform you that the reasons which led Sir F. D. Lugard and the Executive Council to the conclusion that no necessity existed for the appointment of a board to control the available deep water frontage in the Harbour were as follows:

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(a). It was considered that the present control was effective: (b). There was very little deep-sea frontage to control: (c). It was inadvisable to create a new Board in addition to

the many boards which already exist, seeing that it would very rarely indeed have any functions to perform, and owing to the constant changes in this Colony it would probably consist of a different set of men almost each it time

assembled and no continuity of policy could therefore be

ensured:

2.

(d). The Executive Council was in as good a position to deal

with the matter as any board that could be appointed.

I may point out that no reasons have been advanced in favour of the creation of such a Board in Hongkong.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient, humble servant,

Claud severn.

Officer Administering the Government.

RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

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