CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 156

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG PORT ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY COMMITTEE

Representations received in response to an invitation addressed to certain persons by the Chairman on 23.9.46.

No.16

From:

(Continued)

Mr. R. Lasala,

Messrs. John Manners & Co. Ltd.

Dated: 15th October, 1946.

I beg to refer to your letter of 9th October and in reply wish to advise that after carefully studying copy of the Report on the Future Control and Development of the Port of Hong Kong prepared in 1941 by the late Sir David Owen, I have come to the following conclusion.

That it would definitely be to the interest of the Colony to establish a "Hong Kong Port Trust".

1.

2.

3.

That the com rehensive report made by Sir David J. Owen be adopted in principle and that a Committee be formed forthwith to decide what part of the project should be of immediate benefit to the Colony and priority given.

That in my humble opinion the following appear to me to be of utmost importance:

a) Acquisition of the Royal Naval Depot at

Kowloon and erecting thereon up-to-date piers similar to Pier 7 at Manila.

b) Filling in of the present Typhoon Refuge Harbour at Mong Kok Tsui (167 acres) and erecting wharves to enable river and coast- wise vessels to berth.

Under no circumstances must private enterprises be made to suffer by way of monopolies.

Colonial Secretariat, October 15, 1946.

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