CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 73

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95. A plan is appended to this Report showing in tentative form, the proposed reclamation and new piers above suggested, and also certain other works which are dealt with in the following paragraphs.

96. FUTURE RECLAMATIONS. I have excluded from the suggested duties of the proposed Harbour Trust, the matter of reclaiming land from the waters of the Harbour for the reason already given, that reclamations are not primarily intended to be for the benefit of shipping. I consider that the work of reclaiming should be undertaken by the Government, who however, would naturally consult the Harbour Trust on every proposed scheme, as it might affect shipping in some way. It is satisfactory to note that reclamation work generally pays, if not more than pays, for itself, on account of the valuable land so obtained.

97. I think that the following works of reclamation, which are shown on the plan attached, should be carried out by the Government as soon as practicable:

(a) The filling in of the present Typhoon refuge harbour at

Mong Kok Tsui (167 acres) and the filling in of about 143 acres at Cheung Sha Wan, together with the formation at the latter place of a new Typhoon refuge in lieu of the former. The total area of land thus reclaimed, would therefore be 310 acres. The new refuge would, on the whole, be better than the old one from the point of view of protection from the winds. It is true it is a little further away, but the extra distance is so small es not to be any detriment. Mr. Nicol's very rough estimave, at today's prices, of the cost of the whole scheme, including the reclamation and the construction of the necessary sea-walls, is $12,000,000. I gather that the premiums to be obtained on the sale of the land so reclaimed, would be likely to amount to not less than $24,000,000, while, in addition, the annual Crown rent to be derived from the land, based on present values, would be about $109,700. It does not seem to be necessary to emphasize che desirability of this undertaking, which would give 310 acres of much needed land for development, in addition to an improved refuge harbour.

At a future date, when the need arises for further piers beyond those mentioned in paragraph 92, it would be well to extend this reclamation to the dotted line shown on the plan. This would then involve the rebuilding of the vehicular ferry pier, which would be justified by the land realaimed and the improved frontage line.

It must be pointed out that the estimates of cost of reclamation do not include anything for dealing with the sewerage problem in the vicinity of both of these reclamations. That would have to be faced but it would appear that there would be an ample margin of money available for that purpose.

I have not gone into detail with regard to the cost of each of these two reclamations, because it is impossible to regard them in any other way than as one scheme.

(b) The reclamation suggested at Cheung Sha Wan would displace

certain ship and boat building yaris now situated there and it is proposed that a small reclamation be carried cut at Yau Tong Wan (near Lye Mun entrance channel) in order to accommodate the yards so displaced. This is a small matter and I have not inquired into the cost. An approach road would be required at this site.