TNAG-0743-FCO40-947-Relations-between-China-and-Hong-Kong-1978 — Page 156

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TAL

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So far so good, with an encouraging sign of NCNA's effectiveness as well as of their willingness to help. When I thanked Tan for his prompt action (he was also up to his eyes in preparations for the National Day reception) he made a point of emphasising that any problems should be solved by friendly discussion. Some inconclusive discussions did indeed take place later. However, the next development was on 11 October when the N T A discovered (via an anonymous telephone call) that the bund had been completed on the eve of and during the Chung Yeung Festival (9 - 10 October). When questioned, people from Shek Ha commune claimed that their action had been authorised by "higher authorities". Furthermore, the bund had been completed without the inclusion of a drainage channel (a suggestion which had been made in discussions with the District Officer for Yuen Long) and the level of water in a fish-pond upstream had risen to within 2" of the floorboards of some huts in Tam Kon Chau.

Again, I put an urgent request to NCNA (Pan Teh-sheng this time). Again, there was prompt action and we soon learned that a (very small) drainage channel had been dug. For the moment it seems that the position has stabilised (though I write after a night of extremely heavy rain and if there is flooding in the area part of the reason could be the inadequacy of the drainage channel).

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So far the N T A (and we) are inclined to discount Shek Ha's claims to be acting with the approval of higher authority. There is plenty of evidence of this commune's willingness to take unilateral action in furtherance of its own interests.

7.

I should also take this opportunity to alert you to two problems which are likely to arise in this part of the New Territories. One concerns Shek Ha's (disputed) claims to some parts of the Mai Po marshes and their apparent wish to develop these as fish-ponds. The other is the recent discovery that the cadmium level in oysters from the beds in Deep Bay is considerably (perhaps 7 times) above the normal level in sea. It is not yet clear that this is necessarily a danger to health but in any event it seems likely that the Medical and Health Department will need to issue a statement drawing attention to the facts when these are fully established. This would undoubtedly affect oyster sales and the ostreiculturists could then be expected to demand compensation in land nearby which they could turn into fish-ponds. In both cases there would be threats to the integrity of the Mai Po marshes something in which a bird-watching A P A can be expected to take a close interest! I shall keep you posted on developments.

GAN KAZAL

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