Sessional_Paper_1924 — Page 138

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necessary to be levied on the trade. The fact that Shanghai gives 10 days, Singapore 7 days and Kobe 7 days, can not be adduced as argument in support of Hongkong

The

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continuing to grant 7 days' "free occupancy of transit sheds or open space. sheds at the wharves are "transit sheds", fundamentally a covered protected working area, a space for temporary holding of freight for assorting and distribution but for hold- ing only a limited period of time after which, if not taken delivery of, should be trans- ferred to the reservoir' or storage warehouse so that the fullest possible use of the berth for steamer discharge may be obtained.

£4

The great trouble experienced at most ports in regard to traffic is that, as a rule, far too long time is occupied in removing goods away from the sheds. Owing to transit space being fully occupied, it happens, frequently, that wharf owners are unable to berth a steamer for discharge. It is not that there is not room for her alongside the quay but there is not room in the shed for her cargo. The result is delay, resulting in loss of earning power for the vessel which ultimately increases the cost of goods, because after all, all charges for freight, &c., fall on the goods and have to be paid by the consumer. It is therefore necessary that a supporting warehouse be provided adjoining the transit or quay shed or storage space be given by the provision of upper floors to a transit shed, thus converting it into what may be termed a "transit warehouse"; but in any case the goods should be removed from transit space within a period of 72 hours.

EXTENT OF PRESENT ACCOMMODATION FOR SHIPPING.

Excluding any accommodation for colliers and oil tankers, the present accommoda- tion, including wharfage under construction in the port,-as affected by any of the schemes for development referred to later in this report, with the exception of the development scheme adjoining the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Co.'s property at Kowloon Point, will be as shewn in the following table :-

LOCATION.

MAXIMUM DRAUGHT OF

VESSELS WHICH MAY

BERTH ALONGSIDE AT L.W.O.S.T.

NUMBER OF VESSELS

WHICH MAY BERTH

SIMULTANEOUSLY.

HONGKONG.

China Merchants' Pier and

Jardine's Wharf (West Point).

Douglas Pier (Central)..

Ching Siong Land Investment

Co's. wharves under con- struction. (North Point)

KOWLOON.

H.K. & K. Wharf & Godown Cos.' Piers and Holt's Wharves.

feet

23

CO

3

26

2

28

3

5 8 30 32

25

28

Total Number of Vessels which may berth

simultaneously

TO TO TO

18