CO129-415 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [12] — Page 38

Enclosure. 2

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 2nd December, 1914 .

35

əvəzm yika Joa blnow aidt tødt øveiled settimod vli

bluow Ji Jud viisteney quiqrida est od vzotosistien ezon loum agnitɔom eit to gacizow Isołzon098 810M Is) s at time or dele

.enterise you bezoroze edi nać Lid‡ to vyoo a tedd des of ged won bluow settimmoð yli

.aɔijazebienos eid tot atatë to visteised eit að tæer að mað1A!

od nt quoand mit evsd I

„JALVIDE Jreibedo quoY

Emo IIII . . .E .02

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eldszvonol SÆT

-Visjersed Lainoloð eft

şir.

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo protesting, on behalf of the Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce against the acquisition by Government of the private moorings in the harbour for ocean- going vessels, and suggesting an alternative scheme.

2.

In reply I am to state that the suggested compromise

is impracticable since it would render impossible the classificat- ion and co-ordination of moorings, upon which the success of the scheme proposed by the Government depends.

3.

Under this zoheme very little signalling will be required. Masters of vessels will know what anchorage they have to proceed to, and the particular buoys assigned to them can be

easily signalled from Green Island or Cape Collinson, either of

which must be passed at close distance, and even marked by the House flags of the agents or owners of the vessels. Moreover many

ocean-going steamers make use of pilots on entering the port. These

can be instructed beforehand.

4.

The estimates of the Government relating to the cost of the scheme, are based on the advice of practical men of experi-

ence. It is true that the expenses of certain shipping firms may

be slightly increased, but on the other hand those of other firms

will probably be diminished, and in any event the accommodation of

the port will be much improved. The Government is confident

therefore that the adoption of the scheme is likely to attract,

rather than to discourage, an increasing use of the port by ocean

going steamers.

5.

A copy of your letter under reply is being sent to

the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Secretary,

Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.

I am, Sir, ele..

Sd.

Claud Sevem

Colonial Secretary.