CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8] — Page 524

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such stores as are now obtained locally.

Having regard to these considerations it

appears that the idea of retaining only the island, which

would seen prima facie to be a desirable course, is not

really practicable.

22. (B) The alternative of retaining both the island

and a strip of the mainland is not open to the same objections. Here again it is probable that China would

demur to receiving back only a part of the leased territory

but, if such a proposal were accepted, it would be possible

to limit the territory to be retained to an area slightly

larger than the present district of Port Edward, beginning

somewhere about Half Moon Bay and ending just to the South

of Flagstaff Point. This would not, I think, afford control

of all the waters which it is desirable to secure for Naval

purposes but it might be easier to effect an arrangement

for the exercise of exclusive rights in the neighbouring

waters than if only the island were retained.

There is also the difficulty that this area

does not include the lighthouse at Chao Pei Tsui, for the

maintenance of which special arrangements might have to be

made.

23.

Assuming that such difficulties can be over-

come, it would be possible, if this course were adopted, to reduce expenditure considerably. The work of the Commissioner would be so diminished that it would not be

worth while to keep a highly paid officer in the post. The best course would be to give the senior Executive Naval Officer on Liu Kung Tao the title of Commissioner and to give him, in addition to his naval pay, an allowance of, say, £500 a year and the existing entertainment allowance of £150.

The duties now performed by two District Officers and the Financial Assistant might then be divided between two officers, one of whom should be styled "Secretary to Government" and the other "District Officer".

The