CO129-503-1 Development of Hong Kong Harbour 6-12-1926 - 28-10-1927 — Page 44

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8.

works and to have called for tenders in the ordinary way

for such portions of the dredging or other works as were

considered desirable in the first instance. We are not as

we have said the proper authority to judge of the urgency

of the aerodrome, but assuming that there is urgency and

that the time for reclamation with material taken from the

hills cannot be appreciably shortened, then the proximity

of the plant at Macao and the apparently favourable

contract which is offered may justify the course which it

is proposed to adopt. Some consideration must, however,

- be given to the question of the distribution of the cost

as between the reclamation and the harbour.

The dredging scheme as described in the Governor's

telegram is divided into three parts. The first is for

the removal of the Belcher Ridge and the Rambler and Penguin

Shoals. We have no hesitation in urging the removal of

these shoals, for that is an element in every scheme for

the improvement of the harbour which has been brought

before us. But this is a very small part of what it is

proposed to do. The estimate is that it would entail the

removal of some 30,000 cubic yards of material out of a

total of some 2,000,000 cubic yards. The other two parts

of the scheme involve more problematical considerations.

It is proposed to deepen the water immediately west of

Kowloon Point, that is to say, in front of the jetties

owned by the Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company. Whether

the removal of material from the bottom in this neighbour-

hood can be effected without interfering with the

foundations of the jetties we do not know. We also call

attention to the opinion of the Consulting Engineers that

recurring dredging might be required. It may, of course,

be that something could be charged to the company in

question for the improvement of their property.

3.