9. The Services Removal.
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71.
The most discussed proposal in the Colony is the removal of the Naval and Military quarters from the centre of Hong Kong: the removal from Kowloon, though less urgent, would follow on a new location being found for those located in Hong Kong. It was somewhat surprising to find that there was less difference of opinion between the Civil and Service views, than might have been expected. Naturally the Services were only prepared to move to quarters which would prove equally or more serviceable. It was agreed that these could be found: the only outstanding question was that of finance: a balance sheet could not be prepared at this stage; there is no doubt that the value of the central service land is very high, but not all of it could realise its full market value as a considerable amount would be required for public purposes. The cost of re-instatement of the services on a new site would presumably be met, in part at least, from Imperial Sources.
72. The removal of the Services from the block of land on either side of queen's Road in the centre of Hong Kong is an absolute essential to the continued prosperity of the Colony. The central administration and business area would be almost doubled in size; and although some faint hopes were expressed that a tunnel might create a business extension at Kowloon, all planning experience is against such a possibility.
73. By a fortunate chance the Naval and Military Services in considering the possibility of an alternative location, had both hit upon the same neighbourhood: this would greatly help in the provisinn of necessary access, housing and ancillary works. There was, however, this important difference: the Naval removal would have to be a single operation, whereas the Military one couldbe done in stages. Both services welcomed the ampler space which a new site could provide.
74. The position selected is in the neighbourhood of Tai Tam Bay. Very tentative plans have been prepared, but sufficient to show that the area is suitable from the essential points of view.
75. Whereas the Naval exit from the dockyards at Hong Kong and Kowloon would be complete, the military authorities stated that headquarters on a reduced scale would be required at Victoria or Garden Road Barracks and at Gun Club Hill at Kowloon, as well as access to water at wellington and Sham Shai Po. But Whitfield Barracks and the major area overlooking Queens Road could be given up. The Naval Establishment on Stonecutters Island could also be abandoned if this scheme for removal went through.
76. The use to which these vacated lands could be put will be described in later sections. It has already been stated (in Section 3) that a "New Town" of about 30,000 would be required for the workers in the Naval Dockyard and Barracks: this could be located somewhere in the neighbourhood of the existing village of Stanley (whose present residential character would be completely changed). This new Town should combine with the workers quarters, a joint recreational area, properly segregated for the personnel of the Navy and Army.
☛ using this word in the widest sense to
include certain cultural buildings.
77.
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