1923-11-21 — Page 4

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HONGKONG,

HONGKONG HARBOUR

SCHEMES.

THE FUTURE OF THE PORT.

IMPORTANT DISCUSSIONS BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

་ ་་་

VIEWS OF THE GOVERNMENT STATED BY MR. FLETCHER. the Harbour at all angles, which are enterprise. I thins that, for the pre-

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..

As explained by the Colonial Secretary at a recent meeting of the Legislative Council, action with regard to Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice's Report an Hongkong Harbour Improvements has been postponed pending the submis- sion to Mr. John. Duncan, A. M.I.C.E., Engineer-in-Charge of Harbour Works, of certain technical question. The chief of these is the possibility of adapting the design of any works undertaken on the lines suggested by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice in such a way as to provide a wet dock in which large vessels may lie and be protected during typhoons. The following is an account of the discussions which have taken place in the Chamber of Commerce with regard to Harbour Schemes:-

A

1:

"I do not think ther time has compo Fri centralising the native passenger busi ness of river steamer-new scattered in any "Government absorption, of the pri- descriminately along the West End of the vata Enterprises in question, but“. 1 "do Praya. I do not know whether you have think the time is ripe for the Givern- ever had a bird's eye view of the praya ment to develop the remainder, of Har- ̈ in.. the vicinity of West Point and Kendour, frontages and fefties en a scale that nedy Town, when it is deserted by steam will provide liberally for future exten- |ers, and native craft which are in'typhoon sion of the Colony's shipping. In this anchorage. If so you will perhaps agres development, my idea is that the Gor- thing the antiquated and dilapidated ernment should care for the quay walls- stinctures jutting out irregularly into and leave the surface development, auch as transit sheds and godowns, to privata

1 standing, called wharves, are

Or seat., the same principle. may apply to soltering" might sult the case better, ferries, provided those interested put- disgrace to a Colony which is regarded into the service the type of vessels re- us one of the first shipping, cenres of quired by the public with the growth of

the traffic." Lae worlds The following suggestion

"Efficient organisations and equipment erefore will help in a long wanted sence of improvement, but maldition exist in the Colony for attending to all it is hoped it may be possible generally these things and no unfulfilled need is is modernize the West End of the Har- evident in that particular-***

THE HÜYAHON SCHEME. bur in the way of facilities for bandling carga

It is found from particulars Dealing with the Report of the Con givea, that some thirty river steamers sulting Engineers, Mr. Edkins thought deave and arrive in the courst of the that the scheme for a Reclamation and day. When it is considered that each of Jetties at Hanghom seemed to be one The Hongkong Government in a letter. Mr. Sutherland expressed the opinion these steamers on arrival and departure for adoption and gradual development. anted the 23rd May, 1923, invited the that to cope with developments such as at all hours, have to be examined by the Every effort should" be made in the no other Police and Excise "Officers, as well as by development of the new berthing piers Hongkong General Chamber of Com-he had indicated there was merce to consider the Report of Mesars. portion of the Harbour where the sug various detectives on the look-out: for bad to link them up with existing waarf Code, Fitzmaurice, Wilson and Mitchell gested works could be more effectively characters, the difficulties of the Gov-organisations in order to secure in simu ou Hongkong Harbour Improvements. situated. He also devoted some atten- ernment in supervising the passenger econeins of transport to existing storago In preliminary discussions in the General tion to the probable future of Kowloon trallic are well understood, and my idea godowns, also to encourage the renting Committee, it was remarked that Sir Point, having regard to the necessity q is that on a portion of the Praya offering of new piers on complétión

It should be ascertained, if possible, Maurice Fizzumaurice's Report dealt linking up the premises of the Hongkong the least number of difficulties both from mainly with the development of Hung- and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co. with the financial and an engineering point of what companies interested will rent piers hom Bay with a view to future develop the new wharves and the Railway Sta-view, a large native passenger depot be on completion. Failing the rental of new This could be done by piers by the public it may be necessary. pents of the Harbour and made no proption. It seemel probable that this por established.

For the Government to erect transit sheds posals for haproving the facilities of the tion of the peninsula would be entirely building out into the Harbour un cat Port in such an important trade centre given over to 'railway connections and crete piles, and at such depot, each and on its own account in order to nasure this might entail re-arrangement of the every river stenaer would be obliged to ax. West Point.

grnment transit sheds being instituted. The subject was referred to the Ship present railway and possibly removal of arrive and leave. The depot. would be their being used. In the event of Gor- passenger terminus the present enclosed on the land side by high rait will be necessary to consider how long ping Sub-Committee which held a number; the of protracted discussions in which they terminus buildings being used as a goods ings, and be only accessible through goods would be allowed to remain therein gates, on the water side a prohibitive and at, want charges. It would be pre- had the assistance, nt various times, of station..,

This also involved the question of the area would be bouyed and patrolled, ferable to leave the erection of transit the Harbour Master, Commander Beck- with, and Mr. A. Anderson, one of the ferry service and be understood it was The depot would contain searching and sheds to private enterprise, such sheds: engineers of the Public Works, Depart the intention of the Government to con- waiting, rooms, litrines, offices for the to be erected according to plans approv

sider establishing a goods and vehicle Police and Excise, and all the arranged by the Government.".

The opinion of the Chamber, will INTERESTING PAPER BY ME. 2. SUTHERLAND ferry from Hongkong to a terminus in ments usually necessary for handling the

extensive traffic which would only arrive probably be in accord with Parn. 24 of the vicinity of Jordan Road..

in the Colony through that channel the Report, to the effect that it is not, At the first meeting of the Sub-Com- mittee Mr. R. Sutherland contributed an

"Mention was made." continued Mr. When I say only arrive I quite appre in the "public intereat for the Govern interesting paper in which he discussed the Consulting Enginners Report. He Sutherland, "at a recent meeting of the ciste that passengers can land from junks ment to institute a Port Trust to take anywhere they like, but, to my mind over the present berthing, distributing took the view that, in some ways, the General Committee, that the Harbour this scheme would be of material benefit and collecting operations of the Part. Report was disappointing document, Report did not touch upon any improve- inasmuch as, while 54 of the paragraphs menes in the vicinity of West Point, or and would go a long way to combat fit is decided not to sell further

principle recommended in Para. 26 of s were confined to one particular scheme in fact, on the Hongkong side at all, muggling, piracy, the landing of arms trontage for wharf development, then the of jetties with railway connections, the and it was considered strange that this and ammunition, banishers etc.,

inent cnstructing wharves and leasing important question of the general im- should be so in view of the volume of account of which the Colony is now ex- the Report, namely, that of the Govern provement of the Harbour received seme-business at the West End of the Colony. Periencing a very serious crime wave. what scanty attention. However, he had This aspect of the question may with With the development,, such as we are them to private companies is likely to learned on enquiry that this was only advantage be touched upon in connec- contemplating, it seems to me there is appeal to the Chamber, also, as the most part of a very big scheme for the in- tion with the alternative suggestion of ran why the abuses and outrages satisfacttory one to adopt." provement of the Harbour a scheme in merely meeting the resent essential may not keep abreast of the increase in

The Chairman of the Shipping Sub- such as I have very crudely outlined aro which the Town Planning proposals were needs of trade pending signs of anti-population, unless preventative schernes

cipated development in China." merged.

The fact that practically no discharg put into force. I think I am correct in Committee devoted some attention to the saying the Police would welcome the question, of communications across the The question, Mr. Sutherland suggest el, was whether the Government shoulding facilities commensurate with the bulk scheme and consider it. would allow of Harbour. He said, "Works to meet the he recommended to start almost immed of the trade, exist in the vicinity of West more efficient and economical working incrensing requirements of the ferries. iately developing where existing trade Point has very frequently been the sub- All undertakings of this nature will should be designed with liberal conside- demands, ar whether they should beject of comment, and

ment.

1MPROVEMENTS NEEDED AT WEST POINT.

'Dus that the

វ

THE FELRY BERVICES.

San

serve large ferries approaching advised to prepare and embark upon a Government is considering the develop naturally raise an outery by those with ration for the future, and should be such scheme, not only for present day re-ment and improvement of the Harbour vested interests, but that is a matter, to #4 quirements but for posterity, It must generally, the Committee might well y mind. entirely outside the provinca in size the employed between be taken for granted that the railway devote sone attention to this particular this Commitee whose functions are Francisco and Oakland-ferries which between Canton and Hankos, with all vicinity, Broadly speaking, the trade at merely to recommend and suggest, leav-can transport lorries and motor cars as its propoard connecting lines, would the west of the Harbour is princiallying the Government to deal with the well as passengers.. This is in sympathy eventually be completed and the general confined to rice, four and sugar. These latter as best they are able. It is to with the views expressed in Paras. 69, matters the Authorities willfully, recog have at present is to previde ferry opening up of China which would follow arrive in whole or part cargoes, and it be hoped however that in this and other, and 8t of the Report. The idea É seems to me that a great deal of unneces-nise the claims of those who over a long wharves for "ferries along the following must be visualised,

sary handling with its attendant expenso would be saved if it were possible for period have been the pioneers in establines:- vessels-not only coasters hat ocean-lishing the general business of the Colony going steamers-to discharge on then it exists to-day and where circum Hongkong side as well as at Kowloon stances justify it preferential treatment (This suggestion is at present under To look ahead for instance, ever steam will be accorded." ers from home, bringing say complete consignments of machinery, might easily consideration by the Chamber is unace be stored for discharge at Victoria" and tion with the question of Piracy Preven

Kowloon landing on this side what is tion,).

T

POTENTIAL TRADE DEVELOPMENT.

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destined here, and shifting to Kawloon

T

DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES AT NORTH POINT.

"The Passengers Ferry Vessels on the

the requirements necessitated by the in- Hongkong-Kolcon service will sooner or later have to be increased in size to meet creasing population on the Kowloon side, and it is als certain that rapid anĪ efficient means of transporting moter vehicles between the Island and Peninsula

will have to be faced."

Hongkong," said Mr. Sutherland, instead of being a mere resting place for cargo in transit between Canton and other ports of the world, will be the great commercial centre in South China for all products emanating from an area between here and a line of demarcation which I will take as the Yangtze Valley.

"The type of Ferries suitable would be On these lines we will have to remember that Hongkong will undoubtedly be the to complete discharge, or ice rerm. If In subsequent discussion attention was equal-ended vessels of about 150 feet long shipping port for the products of the berths and godowns were erected at West called to the possibility of development by 10 feet, beam, and driven by steam or Southern Provinces, particularly, Kwei Point for the discharge of foreign cargo, at North Point, the views of the Govern possibly motors and having a speed to chow, Huanu and Kinngsi, from which and smaller piers and transit sheds were mont being, it was understood, that with give an tight to ten minutes' service. large quantities of bulk cargo should find arranged for what might be termed (local the private interests involved and be Instead of the present system of side their way to the Hongkong terminus. shipments, such as rice, sugar, etc., it congestion at West Point, it was not poss berthing they should burth end an in Already such consignments in consider seems to the that it would all a great ble further to develop the Harbour in entrance of the same form as the able volume are transported through the want, as there is undoubtedly room for frontages there. Schemes were in e- vessel, somewhat on the system of the Tungting Lake" to Hankow or Wuchack, improvement in this connection. and thence by a steamer or lighters, down! "For many years local trade has templation at North Point to accom- San Francisco type of, dock at Market. the Yangtsz to Shanghai for shipment adapted itself in the way of giving over-modate ships, drawing 30 feet of water Street Ferry: It is not suggested that and to provide 3,000 feet of berthing the Government should have anything to freign ports."

sile delivery in the stream. This in accommodation, with vertical wharves. to do with the ferrien, but that the wharf We must therefore make ample pro-way is cconomical, but it is anticipated This scheme would extend from North should provide for such a ferry." vision in Hongkong for the handling of and, speaking generally, I think it may Point to the Sugar Refinery at Taikoo. "On the lower deck accommodation It was then decided to ask the Govern- provided for 12.to 1 motor vehicles bulk cargo direct from truck to steamer, be accepted that the most efficient method and, this very important point does not of discharging is at a wharf into transitment to let the Committee consider in passenger, truck or ambulance) with appear to have been sufficiently con- or sorting sheds. The financial loss to sidered in the Report now before us. shipowners, junk and lighter men, caused connection with Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice's barricade on each side, and the remain- Report any other Harbour Improvementing space on this deck would carry When I mention bulk cargoes I am con-year by year through delays consequent schemes which the Government, had in about 250 passengers when the full cons sidering possible great developments in upon typhoon weather and more especially view. As consequence, the "Govern- plément of cars were carried. with an the export of antimony ore, enal, sesamum the fear of same, must be enormous, and seed, peas, beans, copper, tin, load ore, would greatly be minimised by chartment placed an immense mass of docu- increased number accordingly when fewer manganese, woodail, etc.

accommodate about 300 passengers with The most im facilities. I am mindful of the fact that ments at the disposal of the Committee, cars were carried. The upper deck would portant of these, perhaps, would be coal n great deal of the cargo goes direct into after which further meetings were held.

good percentage of covered in space for and ore, and it would seem more than junks for conveyance to Canton and probable that vessels will load whole or other riverine ports, but it would still THE VIEWS OF MR. G. T. EDKINS. bad weather!

PROSPECTS NORTH POINT, part cargoes of these and other comb possible to carry out this method at

North Point, Mr. Edkins considered," modities at Hoogkong for shipment to the same time as discharging into transit

would probably develop in course of time "overken ports. The handling ofthis sheds. When it is considered that some traffic undoubtedly calls for special of the cargo, such as flour, is of an At one of these, the Chairman of the into a district with business enterprisen arrangements which as already men extremely delicate nature, very liable Shipping Sub-Committee (Mr. G. T. and storage godowns, but the passages tioned are not perhaps dealt with to damage in handling, and that such Edkins) contributed an interesting me of some years was likely before it would sufficiently by Sir Maurice. I am inform cargoes, in many cases are landed at morandum from which the following ex- become a busy commercial section com

parable to the West Point trading. ed. however, that this aspect of potential Kowloon, reshinned into junk and again tracts are taken: trade development has nut escaped the out of junk vad info godown, the neces "I think it well to record, at the out-centre. North Point will only be used notice of the Government, and that a sity for some simpler and more econe set, just as a reminder, that the wharf when it is cheaper to work there than tentative plan, referred to in Para, 70 mical arrangement becaines cbvious and down business-a niso even the at West Point, including cast of tran- f the "Consulting Engineers Report, This is in accord with Para. 30 of the ferry business have been built up and spurs of goods to the places where they has been drawn up which would. provide Report."

developed in Hongkong purely by pri are required. It would be an auxiliary for special coaling berths in close proxi- mity to the Green Island Cement Works, FROVED CONTROL OF CHINESE PASSENGER Vate enterprise marching in line with or supplement to West Point but will

TRAFFIC NEEDED,

the growth of the shipping business of not replace, it. Name : where it should be possible to arrange an

Looking to the future, there seemed no Mr. Sutherland continued:

the Colony. No one can gainsay that elevated railway, conveyors, and tips for

"I have for some time past been con- this has been done efficiently. A stage, sujection, if funds were available, to coal. ore, and other bulk cargo.”

As regards imports for the interior, sidering putting forward a proposal in however, has been reached when there building the necessary sen-wall to pro- which for some years might be mostly connection with improved control of that is a limit to the amount of deep water vide for steamers going alongside; but constructional material, these can be dis vast volume of trade between Hongkong frontage available, and the Government wharves at this part were not likely to missed in a few words inasmuch as what and the Canton Delto, namely, the hold the view, apparently, that this, in be used by steamers until transit sheds were erected or new enterprises had 16 we should aim for is discharge direct Chinese "passenger traffic. I understand the main, should in future be controlled from the steamer into truck or, if neces that some years ago when the Piracy by Government and not further devoted sprung up in the neighbourhood, sary, transit sheds, for conveyance into Ordinance was under discussion a some to private enterprise. There is much to would not be advisable to build the China. In passing, I would say that if what similar scheme was mooted, but in be said for this view, but in any develop transit sheds until the requirement the development of trade anticipated the then existing difficulties nothing came ment of this policy. I think it would his pressing. actually eventuates, the doubling of the of it. The following suggestion however, the decided view of this Chamber that present single track of railway to Canton make with the utmost-reserve, know-private enterprise should be interfered bull doubtless become imperative, bating full well that it calls for very careful with as little as possible, on the grounds Mr. Edkins also devoted some atten- the grounds of tion to the possibilities of overcoming by this undertaking-involving as it would consideration and may be prohibitive for of equity and on the widening of Benen Hill Tunnel reasons unknown to me. That, however, eliciency, private piterprise having mutual arrangement between the Govern does not call for serious consideration in it would be of inestimable advantage to ensured efficiency by the operation of the went and the owners of marine lots the West Point. It did not scompreeticalo st scheme such as that now before the Colony as a whole I feel fully con- urinciples of profit and loss by which it difficulty of economical development at

fident In short, it is a proposal for is governed."

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE FOR GOVERNMENT

CONTROL

WEST POINT DEVELOPMENT.