CO129-403 - Governor Sir May Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1913 [8-10] — Page 386

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which Sir Paul Chater states that the Directors of the Hongkong

and Kowloon Tharf and Godown Company are desirous of building to

accommodate vessels of great length and draught is shown on the

chart and the depth of water in the neighbourhood in feet. I have

pointed out to Sir Paul Chater that considerable dredging opera-

-tions would be required to make such a wharf available for vessels drawing 35 to 40 feet at all times, while at Blackhead's

Point close to the New Terminal Station and the future Goods

Yard there would be no great difficulty in constructing a large wharf with sufficient depth of water where I have hatched an area in ink. A certain amount of dredging would be required in the area. marked by a dotted line. I cannot, therefore, see that the Govern- -ment is in any way called upon to embark on expensive dredging operations for the benefit of a private Company when natural facilities for suitable wharfage accommodation exist in a more favourable situation having regard to the future terminal arrange-

-ments of the Railway.

10.

While writing this Despatch I have referred to recent minutes by Sir Henry May from which I gather that his views as regards the necessity of dredging the harbour of Hongkong are similar to those which I have put forward.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

Cland Sever

Officer Administering the Government.