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tain that expert advice and properly constituted Port Authorities are required as there is alway a tendency at other places in China to lay out scientifically constructed harbours and that the matter of Harbour Improvements in Hongkong should be thoroughly inves- tigated, in order that the Colony may prepare itself for all possible developments. It considered dredging on a substantial scale to be essential and suggested dredging off Kowloon Point, at the end of the Northern and Central fairways,-the latter to Sulphur Channel, and also considerable dredging on the North West fairway. Whilst additional Piers or Jetties might with advantage add to the facilities for the handling of cargo, it considered that the Harbour problem is of the utmost importance to the Colony and that it should not be dealt with piece-meal but as a whole.
In consequence, the late Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice, C.M.G., M.Inst.C.E., &c., partner in the firm of Messrs. Coode, Fitzmaurice, Wilson & Mitchell, MM.Inst.C.E., Consulting Engineers to the Crown Agents, hereinafter referred to as :-the Consulting Engi- neers, arrived in the Colony in November, 1920.
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The matters on which his firm's advice was sought were:-
(1) Improvements of the Harbour generally.
(2) The provision of Wharves and Warehouses provided with railway com-
munication.
(3) Improvement of the Mongkoktsui Harbour of Refuge.
(4) The question of dredging plant generally; the re-fitting of the Dredger
"St. Enoch" being considered in this connection.
(5) The best means of providing facilities opposite Statue Square for landing
from or embarking on launches and small craft generally.
During his visit Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice made investigation of the method of carry- ing on the business of the Port, and obtained a great deal of information as to the conditions of weather, tides, currents, &c.; the facilities available for supply of materials such as cement, stone, sand, timber, &c.; the supply of labour available, the rates of pay, the cost of work carried out by sub-contract, &c.; and the facilities available for cons- truction and repair of floating plant. Having come to the same conclusion as Mr. Chatham, (late Director of Public Works) and myself, that, so far as wharves provided with railway communication was concerned, Hung Hom Bay was the most suitable site, Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice left instructions with me to obtain additional information to that then obtained of the harbour bottom at Hung Hom Bay and Tai Wan by soundings, borings and prickings and also additional current observations in the vicinity of these localities. The amount of information sought was so extensive that additional staff had to be engaged for this purpose and it was not until November, 1922, that the last instal- ment of the information required was presented for despatch to the Consulting Engi-
neers.
Drawing
Having received sufficient information to enable them to report on the main works, they presented through the Crown Agents for the Colonies their report dated 24th November, 1922.
Development Schemes proposed prior to April, 1924.
Consulting Engineers' Scheme.
Their complete scheme of wharfage provides for the construction in the bight of No. 2. Hung Hom Bay of a reclamation of 483 acres from which will project in a southerly
direction a series of 6 jetties of which the particulars are as under-
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