Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 627

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3. This scheme has been considered by the Public Works Committee whose report thereon is enclosed.* It will be observed that they recommend the scheme and further sug- gest that pending its construction the accommodation in the Causeway Bay shelter be in- creased by deepening the area therein which dries at low water.

This latter work will be undertaken forthwith at an estimated cost of $70,000.

4. The total estimated cost of these improvements is $1,610,000 and inasmuch as they will largely benefit the shipping which frequents the Port by affording greater protection to all classes of cargo-boats and lighters and by obviating the delays which, as pointed out in your predecessor's letter of the 16th July, 1904, are occasioned by the unnecessarily early cessation from work of cargo-boats and lighters which on the first warning of a typhoon have to seek shelter lest they be shut out of the inadequate refuge at Causeway Bay, the Governor deems it reasonable that portion of the cost should be recovered from a special tax on shipping.

5. In these circumstances the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has decided to ask the sanction of the Secretary of State for the Colonies to defray half the cost out of the Colony's reserves, and at the same time His Excellency proposes to tem- porarily increase Light Dues on ocean going vessels to 2 cents per ton and on river steamers to 5/6ths of a cent per ton for each entry by day or by night as from the 1st of June next, such increased rates to be maintained until the receipts from the addition of 13 cents imposed in the one case and of cent per ton for each entry by day or by night in the other, aggre- gate the sum of half the cost of the improvements detailed above.

It would have perhaps been more logical to call the increases by the new name of Harbour Dues, but it is considered more desirable and convenient to make no change in nomenclature although the service for which the additional dues are imposed is not connected with the lighting of the Harbour.

6. His Excellency trusts that your Chamber will recognise the reasonableness of the procedure which he proposes to adopt in order to enable a large work to be undertaken which will facilitate the uninterrupted loading and discharging of vessels in this Port, and will safeguard the lives of thousands of men upon whose labour such work depends.

I have, &c.,

The Secretary, HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

F. H. MAY, Colonial Secretary.

HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, HONGKONG, 12th March, 1908.

SIR, I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of even date regarding the New Typhoon Refuge for small crafts which it is proposed to construct at Mongkoktsui, and to say that the matter is receiving the attention of my Committee.

I have, &c.,

E. A. M. WILLIAMS,

Secretary.

Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

* Not printed.