CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 99

2

105

III.

I have had grave doubts from the first that Sir David's suggestion to choose from amongst the business men of the Colony an independent chairman would ever prove satisfactory. I have felt and still feel that the crux of the proposal to set up a Trust is to obtain the services of an able and unbiased administrator trained in port work from somewhere outside the Colony. I am happy to learn that such an adrinistrator is soon coming to H.K. For too long have port matters been left to drift, a Trust would be charged presumably with the duty of looking ahead, collecting the necessary statistios, planning future

It is true development and coordinating interests in the Port. that some attempt has been unde by individuals to do something on these lines, but lacking a properly constituted authority their work was of much less value than it should have been.

IV.

the

Some objection has been raised to the suggested constitution of the proposed board and as, undoubtedly, Chinese will expect and may demand a much greater share in the administration of the Colony, an alternative proposal to draw up an electorate of part interests and the mercantile community and to decide by vote who shall represent these interests on the board has been canvassed by interested parties. I cannot see, however, that the constitution of the board should be radically altered. The safeguards recommended by Sir David appear adequate.

V.

Today the physical state of H.K. is such that improvements and developments considered impossible four years ago now appear not

And in this connection, only practicable, but urgently desirable.

I would plead that no vital steps in the reconstruction of Hong Kong be taken before and until the Port Trust is set up and has had time to consider the schemes of development.

VI.

Undoubtedly every effort should now be made to tackle the question of the resumption of the Military and Naval Lands, not only in Kowloon where the development of the harbour and of the city has been cramped for so long, but in Hong Kong. The Military and Naval establishments in the centre of the town from lurray Road to Arsenal Street and from the Naval Dockyard to Bowen Road should be resumed as soon as porsible and suitable areas of land should be given an exchange for these outside the limits of the harbour as now laid down and as agreed upon between the Military and Naval authorities. In Kowloon, Whitfield Barracks and the Naval Stores Depot should be resumed. This applies also to Gun Club Hill and neighbouring lands used by the Army for recreational purposes. In addition, that area of land North of Austin Road as far as Jorden Road and West of Nathan Road as far as Canton Road should also be entirely resumed. Thir area is now very badly wrecked and would have to be rebuilt in any case, but the land is much too valuable for domestic uso and should be earmarked for the Railway in connection with the proposal to connect the H.K. & K. Wharf and Godown Co.'s property by a line under Nathan Road at Austin Road. This would remove the necessity of the railway link at Tsim Sha Tsui and make possible the transfer of the K.C.R. Station to a new site and the proper and logical development of the land west of Holt's Wharf and on the centre line of Nathan Road produced, as the traffic concourse for those wishing to cross that harbour by Ferry or eventually by tunnel when that proposal again becomes eoor.omically possible. The resumption of the Dockyard area in Hong Kong would assist in making possible an extension of the reclamation from Queen Victoria Street to Murray Road and a realignment of the sea wall fronting this area. the existing Naval Dockyard area should be earmarked for the new ferry concourse and for the tunnel spiral and underground offices when that scheme eventually is put in hand.

Part of