CO129-626-12 Fisheries 1-2-1950 - 31-3-1951 — Page 13

self-propelled fishing vessel has many advantages.

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Vcssels operating from Hong Kong re liable to loss from typhoons and piracy, and it is important to reduce the time spent in moving to and from the fishing grounds in order that vessels may land more catches annually, and thus be more productive and profitable. This will be of great importance to Hong Kong in regularizing the supply of fresh fish, prices of which, due to the uncertainty of supply, are very high. scheme would also undoubtedly improve the lot of the fishing community.

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5. It is proposed, therefore, to set up a comittee of local naval rchitects and shipbuilders, on which both Europeans and Chinese would be represented, whose task it would be to work out the design of a vessel suitable fɔr local conditions and incorporating the necessary accomodation for the fisherman and his family; the design should also conform as far as possible ith Chinese methods of construction. Upon such a craft being designed and tested at the National Physical Laboratory, Toddington, it is proposed to build two experimental vessels in accordance with the approved design, but probably differing in certain details. These, when constructed, would be operated by the Fisheries Department, for demonstration purposes. This would complete the first stage of the scheme. It is estimated that the cost of the two vessels would be in the region of £17,500. It would be necessary to engage & first class draughtsman to prepare the designs, and his salary, together with the cost of constructing models and testing then at Teddington, is esti ated to total £2,500. The second stage of the schone, bout hich it is proposed to submit another memorandum when the worth of the experimental vessels has been properly demonstrated, will consist of selling the two vessels to cover part of the cost of their construction, and to establish a revolving fund out of which to supply loans to fishermen to assist them in recovering the cost of building boats of the now type for their in use.

6. The Governor has therefore applied for a grant of £20,000 from the Hong Kong allocation under the Colonial Development and elfare Act for the first stage of the process of mechanizing the Hong Kong fishing fleet. The proposal has already been approved in principle at a discussion with the Treasury hold on 29th September, 1949, and the for which the scheme now takes was suggested to the Governor in the Secretary of State's despatch to Hong Kong of 21st October, 1949.

7. The usual financial summary is attached.

Colonial Office

20th July, 1950.

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