VII.
-3-
The Central Reclamation Scheme as shown on the plan accompanying Sir David's report is a proposal of long standing. The maintenance of privately owned piers along the frontage from Jubilee Street to Queen Street has, in company with that of all other port works been conspicuous by its complete absence and many of the structures are now due for demolition.. At the earliest opportunity, I consider stops should be taken by the Trust to begin construction on the first portion of the Central Reclamation Scheme or that portion between Queen Street and Cleverly Street. This would involve the cancellation of the leases of all piers on that frontage as from the 31st Dec., 1945. The leases of all piers found to be in a dangerous state should also be cancelled. This refers to structures West of the Naval Dockyard.
VIII. Sir David recommended (18) that the reclaiming of land from the waters of the Harbour be undertaken by Government and not by the proposed larbour Trust. Many reclamations within the limits of the Harbour are formed slowly by tipping town's refuse and building debris. Of the latter material, it is estimated that in normal times there is dumped by lorry within harbour limits an annual quantity of 200,000 - 300,000 cu. yds. while the disposal of material dredged from nullah outfalls accounts for about 150,000 cu. yds. per annum in addition. The disposal of this material must be controlled, and I recommend that as the Trust's Engineer will be responsible, either to the Trust or to the Government for the construction of all sea walls and that, of necessity, the responsibility for seeing that filling material is deposited correctly must rest with him, he may well be held responsible for the whole of Government reclamations work in addition to his other duties.
IX.
The filling in of long Kok Tsui Harbour of Refuge and the construction of a new harbour of refuge at Cheung Sha Wan is a scheme that appeals to some because it has been represented as being a most lucrative proposition. I think we must not lose sight of the fact that the typhoon refuge is a harbour especially constructed for small craft during typhoons and that its present location was chosen because of its suitability. The suitability of Cheung Sha Wan has still to be proved. Some years ago evidence was produced by the Water Police that that area was subject to squalls and that anchors dragged on occasions in that neighbourhood. Before any decision is made to construct a new refuge at Cheung Sha Wan I would plead for exhaustive investigation of the air currents over the area between Laichikok and Shamshuipo.
It should also be remembered that junk owners and other sailors have objected to the scheme on account of the added difficulty in making the shelter against a rising typhoon wind from the N.E.
It is true, of course, that the existing Harbour of Refuge is largely a cesspool due to the influx of sewage from surrounding districts and that ca that account the filling in of the harbour would be beneficial. There are other ways of dealing with the drainage problem and I would suggest that the investigation of the sewage problem all around the harbour is overdue and should now be tackled with vigour.
stand.
The earmarking of Yau Tong as a boat building area should
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