CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 165

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.23

From:

Mr. R. R. Pearson,

Manager,

Standard-Vacuum Oil Company.

Dated: 17th October, 1946.

We thank you for the letter sent by your Chairman, Mr. T. M, Hazlerigg, dated September 23rd; the attached copy thereto of the report on the Future Control and Development of the Port of Hong Kong, prepared in 1941 by the late Sir David J. Owen; and the copy of the Terms of Reference of the Committee to conduct an inquiry into matters concerning the future administration of the Port of Hong Kong.

We also thank you for your letter dated October 9th, in which you asked us to inform you if we desire to submit any representations to the Committee, and if so, that we kindly submit them to your office before October 19th.

As the Head Office of our Division is located in Shanghai, we forwarded them a copy of the report by the late Sir David J. Owen and a copy of the Terms of Referance of your Committee.

We have just received advice from our Shanghai Office that they have no representations to make concerning the future administration of the Port of Hong Kong, but they do desire us to outline our position on pier lot leases as they affect our large Terminal at Laichikok.

No doubt you are aware that at the time of the attack on Hong Kong on 8th Deconber, 1941, we had a very extensive Terminal at Laichikok, which included a number of large tanks, can manufacturing plant, machine shop, filling facilities, warehouses, storehouses, offices, residences, and garages; in addition to other necessary equipment, such as an elaborate fire-fighting system, all of which were situated on the shore property which we hold under lease from the Government.

To handle incoming and outgoing shipments of products, materials and equipment, it was necessary for us to have adequate piers. We obtained pier lot leases from the Govern-

On ment, all of which are due to expire on 1st January, 1950. these lots we erected four piers, the total cost of which was considerable.

During the Japanese attack on Hong Kong and during the period of occupation by the Japanese, our Terminal was almost entirely destroyed and the piers suffered very heavy damage.

(Continued)

170