CO129-526-15 Leased territories- boundaries and developments with maps and photographs 20-5-1930 - 9-1-1931 — Page 13

2.

seek residences in Kowloon. It is indeed, as stated above, a

true suburb of the town of Victoria and, as such, is absolutely

essential for residential reasons. It is calculated that the

number of passengers crossing daily to and from the island and

the mainland during the first six months of 1930 was 100,000.

The over-crowding in the native quarters in Hong Kong is very

serious, and undoubtedly is responsible in a large measure for

the appalling mortality from tuberculosis. There is already a

tendency to erect dwellings on the mainland for the class of

people concerned, and this tendency will increase with still

further improved ferry services . The great importance of this

movement in its relation to disease cannot be over-estimated.

Kowloon possesses one of the largest (if not the largest)

hotels in the East, whose clients are almost entirely people

either residing in Hong Kong or passing through the Colony.

There are in addition various institutions, such as the Y.M.C.A.

and the Salvation Army, which cater for the needs of the island

in a greater degree even than for those of Kowloon.

(ii) Public Services - The water supply of Hong Kong

constitutes a very serious problem, and it has been found

absolutely necessary to bring water from the New Territories

across the harbour by a pipe, in order to supply additional

water necessary for the island. In addition to various

reservoirs and filters, it has been necessary to establish

certain works within the limits of Kowloon itself. Without

this assistance in the matter of water from the mainland, it is

difficult, if not impossible, to see how the needs of Hong Kong

could be satisfied. The Observatory also is situated in Kowloon,

as also is a gaol in which are housed a large proportion of the

male prisoners of the Colony. The latter is in the leased area

a short distance outside the boundary of Kowloon proper. It

is proposed to start at once a Female Prison close to this gaol

to replace the totally inadequate one in Victoria.