Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 635

515

HONGKONG, 23rd June, 1908.

SIR-We beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo enclosing copies of the Government's reply to your Chamber's letter regarding the proposed Typhoon Harbour of Refuge at Mongkoktsui and Memoranda by His Excellency and the Hon. the Director of Public Works, * for which we have to thank you.

For the sake of brevity we attach memoranda we have drawn up regarding the proposed refuge, and our notes on some of the points affecting the shipping trade and taxation of Hongkong, dealing with the comments made by His Excellency.

We are strongly of opinion that immediate steps should be taken to improve the refuge at Causeway Bay, half of which at the present time is practically useless owing to silt. We think that, on this being done, it will provide shelter for the greater part, if not the whole, of the smaller craft employed in the Harbour.

Should the Government, however, be definitely committed to the Mongkoktsui scheme we rely on your Chamber to advocate that they adopt a scheme on the lines laid down in our memorandum, by which the cost-but not necessarily the work-is spread over a term of

years, and will thus fall less heavily on those who have to contribute to the cost of the works, a policy which is usually adopted by port trusts and cities borrowing money for permanent improvements.

With reference to the Colonial Secretary's reply to our enquiry regarding the increased fees on cargo boats, lighters and water boats, we are surprised to learn that the increase was made in the interest of General Revenue, on the ground that such fecs were considered to be low. We are of the opinion that fees derived from such a source should be devoted to the up-keep of the various branches of the Harbour Department; and that any surplus should be applied to works such as the dredging of Causeway Bay or the erection of a typhoon shelter. We would point out that, from past records, Mr. CHAMBERLAIN mentioned the revenue derived from native Shipping was to be applied to the Harbour Master's Department, as apart from what may be termed the General Budget of the Colony.

(Signed,) F. J. Abbott,

:>

3

+

22

We are, &c.,

Acting Superintendent-P. & O. Steam Navigation Co., Butterfield & Swire,

Agents, Ocean Steamship Co., Ltd.,

77

China Mutual Steam Navigation Co., Ltd.,

17

China Navigation Co., Ltd.,

Jardine Matheson & Co., Ltd.,

General Managers, Indo-China S. N. Co., Ltd.. Agents,

Dodwell & Co., Ltd.,

Indra Line Ltd..

Edgar G. Barrett, Manager.,

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.,

J. W. (raddock, General Traffic Agent,

Douglas Lapraik & Co.,

General Managers, Douglas Steamship Co., Ltd.,

Gibb Livingston & Co.,

Agents,

17

"Ben" Line of Steamers,

E. & A. S. S. Co., Ltd.,

Shewan Tomes & Co.,

General Managers, China Manila S. S. Co., Ltd.,

General Agents, Agents,

McGregor Bros. & Gow..

America Asiatic S. S. Co., Ltd.,

Shire Line of Steamers, Ltd.,

General Managers, "Glen" Line of Steamers,

Hongkong, Canton & Macao Steamboat Co., Ltd.,

W. E. Clarke. Secretary,

David Sassoon & Co., Ltd.,

Agents. Apcar Line.

* Not printed.