Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 641

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With only 5 hours' notice from the Observatory of the approach of the typhoon within the 300 miles radius, comparatively little damage was done to small craft, and the loss that did occur might have been greatly reduced had the Observatory been able to ascertain the near proximity of the storm, which they were apparently unable to do, judging from the fact that the black signals were not hoisted until 6 p.m. and that the guns were fired about 11 p.m. when the typhoon was actually upon the port.

Further we beg to state that we are prepared to prove :-

(1.) That Causeway Bay refuge was not by any means fully occupied by craft on the night of the late typhoon and that there was room for many more boats.

(2.) That the Government's theory that there is always sufficient water at Causeway Bay in a typhoon is misleading, for while this may be the case in the height of a typhoon we are prepared to prove that there was great congestion on the afternoon of the 27th July at the entrance to the refuge after the typhoon was signalled outside 300 miles-boats desiring to enter being prevented by the inability of those already in from moving further inshore owing to the shallowness of the refuge.

It has been hinted that it is the intention of the Government to fill in Causeway Bay refuge when the proposed Mong Kok Tsui scheme is completed, and we should be glad to have the Government's assurance that this is not so. If, however, such should be the case we suggest that the money eventually obtained by the sale of that ground should be ear-marked to reimburse the cost of the Mong Kok Tsui scheme if the Government are determined to proceed with the work.

We are, however, so convinced that the Government's proposal to spend $1,500,000 on a Harbour of Refuge at Mong Kok Tsui is unnecessary and unwise that we would again urge His Excellency to reconsider the whole question before finally committing the Colony to the expenditure of so large an amount of public and private money.

We are sending a copy of this letter to the Chamber of Commerce, also to the Cham- ber's representative on the Legislative Council and to the Press.

(Signed)

F. J. Abbott,

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We are, &c.,

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

Agents, Ocean Steamship Co., Ltd.,

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China Mutual Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., China Navigation Co., Ltd.,

Jardine Matheson & Co., Ltd.,

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

Indra Line Ltd..

British India S. N. Co.,

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

W. E. Clarke, Secretary,

Canadian Pacific Railway Co.,

J. W. Craddock, General Traffic Agent, Dodwell & Co., Ltd.,

Edgar G. Barrett, Manager,

Shewan Tomes & Co.,

Per Pro McGregor Bros. & Gow,

E. H. Hinds,

General Managers, “Glen" Line,

Gibb Livingston & Co.,

Agents, "Ben" Line,

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

David Sassoon & Co., Ltd.,

E. Shellim, Manager,

Agents, Apcar Line,

Douglas Lapraik & Co,

General Managers, Douglas Steamship Co, Ltd.

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

Colonial Secretary,

&&

$6.

&c.