CO129-586-6 Administration of the port of Hong Kong 27-1-1940 - 24-7-1940 — Page 54

5:

52

4, MILLBANK,

WESTMINSTER,

LONDON, S. W. 1.

(ABBEY 7730)

My dear Dares,

51.

29th May, 1940.

Your letter 53995/40 of yesterday about the Hong Kong

Port enquiry.

I have consulted Spiller, who considers that Sir Athol Anderson should be quite suitable. His experience in Hong Kong would be valuable. My impression had been that he was rather too senior a man for the position of adviser to Owen, but after all that is his own affair.

Spiller knows Carpmael quite well; he is primarily a railway man, and although he has had dock experience in South Wales Spiller does not think that he should be regarded as an authority on the design of harbours and docks. I gather that as a junior he was concerned with the construction of Fishguard harbour, but that when he returned to harbour work his duties related to maintenance only. Spiller does not think that Carpmael himself would regard himself as a Harbour Engineer.

Of Rowley Spiller has no knowledge.

This, I am afraid, is the best I can do for you.

I gathered at our meeting that it is not desired for local purposes to obtrude the idea of new construction too prominently, and Spiller's reservation about Carpmael may not be decisive.

Yours sincerel

lochoromer

Sir Alan Burns, K.C.M.G.