CO129-626-10 Constructions of piers to improve communications 1-2-1950 - 28-2-1951 — Page 9

COLONIAL DEVELOPMENT AND WILTARE ACT 194

Extract from note of discussion with Treasury on

9.

Hong Kong

C.0.54403/10/50

I.F.36/187/025

1.2.51

1.2.51

Scheme D. 1243: Construction of piers in the New Territories.

Supplementary grant of £48,883 (C.D.W. (D) No.1934).

Agreed.

Scheme No. D. 1243A.

G

Page

Page

54403/10/50

C.D.W.(D) No. 1934

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HONG KONG

Construction of piers in the New Territories -

Supplementary Grant of £48,883 under

Scheme No. D. 1243.

The Governor of Hong Kong applied in. October, 1949, for Colonial Development and Welfare assistance of £50,000 for construction of piers in the New Territories (see memorandum C. D. W. (D) No. 1533). An interim grant of £5,000 was made as Scheme No. D. 1243 and the Governor was asked to provide a detailed breakdown of estimated expenditure. has now submitted an application for a grant of £48,883 for the construction of two piers.

He

2. A large part of the New Territories consists of islands and broken country with a deeply indented coastline where road communication is difficult and in most places non-existent. Over these areas the natural element of communication is water and many of the small rural communities living in these outlying parts are entirely dependent upon ferries and other small craft for bringing their produce to the principal markets in Hong Kong and Kowloon. The construction of piers at focal points in the islands and the less accessible portions of the mainland is therefore of great importance.

3. Cheung Chau is the most important fishing port in the Colony, and has the densest population (probably 20,000) of any island in the New Territories. Normally hundreds of boats are based there. There are two piers, one used almost exclusively by the ferries and Police, and the other by the general public. The latter was built many years ago, is out of date and inadequate, and is unlikely to stand another typhoon season. It would be uneconomical to repair. It is therefore necessary to build a new modern pier which, besides filling a long-standing need of the general public, would be regularly used by the launches of the Fish Marketing organization. The increased amount of shipping which can be expected to use the new pier will make it necessary to widen the waterfront roadway in the immediate neighbourhood of the pier by extending the existing bund 30 feet seawards in the area of the pier; the reclamation would be continued further along the shore at Government expense when the ferry pier is rebuilt.

4. Tai O is the largest centre (about 8,000) of population on Lantao Island, and the fourth fishing port of the Colony. It is proposed to extend the present pier; this provides depth of water sufficient only for sampans, and ferry boats and other craft are obliged to discharge and load passengers and goods at sea. The sea here is frequently rough, causing loss and discomfort, and seriously deterring the development of the port and also of the hinterland which has long attracted Buddhist settlers, prepared to develop nunneries, monasteries, and gardens in the mountains. Extension of the pier would also provide a breakwater against west winds and seas to which this port is particularly exposed. The improved landing facilities are expected to bring increased trade and it appears desirable to link the extension of the pier with the improvement of the path between pier and town to provide for easier carriage of goods and persons.

5. This scheme is part of a general plan for the development of Lantao Island and Cheung Chau. Important items of that plan which will be carried out at Government expense include a further piece of reclamation at Cheung Chau and the reconstruction of the public pier used by the ferrics and launches; Government is also proposing to build piers at Tung Chung on

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