CO129-592-10 Future Policy in Hong Kong- Port Administration 10-4-1946 - 15-4-1947 — Page 215

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Minutes of the Second Meeting of the Hong Kong Port Consultative Committee held at the Colonial Office

at 2.30 p.m. on 13th Decembor, 1945.

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Present: Mr. N.L. Smith, C.H.G. Chairmar..

Mr. S.B.E. McElderry, O.M.G.

Mr. S.H. Dodwell

Mr. F.J. Keswick

Mr. A. Lang

Mr. J. Massan

Mr. Warren Swire

Mr. C. Murtzburg, M.C.

Sir Mark Young, K.C.M.G, and Mr. A. Reid (M.W.T.) also attended this meeting.

1. Minutes

With the consent of the Meeting the minutes of the first meeting held on the 15th November, 1945, which had been circulated to the members, were taken as read.

2. Allocation of the Harbour Masters' Functions

A memorandum dated 10th December 1945 submitted by the Secretary end ciroulated to members of the Committee was considered and the following amendments of allocation of duties suggested at page three of that memoran, dum were agreed,

(a) The second function to be amended to read "Registry of River Vessels' and to be the responsibility of the Mercantile Marine Office,

(b) The heading "Licensing of Launches, Lighters and Junks" to be altered by the addition of "and registration" after "Licensing".

(c) The reference to immigration fees to be deleted.

(a) The duties in connection with the Marine Court and Courts of Inquiry to be the responsibility of the Mercantile Marine Office and not of the Fort Trust.

3. Renewal of the Star Ferry Lease.

Hr. W.J. Keswick, who declared his interest in the matter, said that he strongly disagreed with the views expressed by Mr. Nicol in his memorandum dated 26th September which was considered at the first meeting of the Committee. He believed that a tunnel, even on the basis of en estimated cost of 16,000,000 dollars would be too expensivo, and further, that it would not be a satisfactory solution of the transport problem as i would take many people cut of their way. He did not agree with Kr.Nicol that larger ferries, which would carry appreciably more people would rende: navigation in the harbour more difficult. Er. Keɛrick said that action was being taken to rehabilitate the ferries on the strength of the assurance by the Colonial Office that the renewal of the Star Ferry pier lease would be recommended, and that if that was not now the Government's intention, early advice should be given to the Company.

The Chairman said he had seen the papers referred to and he was satisfied that there was no reason why the Star Ferry Co, should cancel or delay their rehabilitation programme; he confirmed that it was still intended to recommend the renewal of the pier lease but on terms bringing that concern more closely into line in the matter of royalties with other

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