Sessional_Paper_1924 — Page 166

Drawings Nos. 2 and 3.

Drawings

Nos. 2 and 3.

162

As already stated the areas of the Causeway Bay and Mongkoktsui shelters are con- sidered sufficient for the present to accommodate all small craft in the harbour and ample warning is given of a typhoon approaching the Colony to enable them all to enter one or other of these shelters before the effects of the storm are felt. However, the delay now experienced by shipping during typhoon weather could be minimized to some extent if shelter were provided at other points on the harbour front.

Having regard to future requirements, bearing in mind the opinion that the number of small craft is likely to decrease and that, when the schemes for the development of North Point, Hung Hom Bay and Kowloon Point have been completed and are in opera- tion, a large number of junks, barges, launches, &c., will be sheltered in the basins which are necessary for the efficient handling of cargo, it would seem that there is no justification for recommending the construction of any additional typhoon shelters; but, as the greater portion of work necessary in the construction of a temporary typhoon refuge at Kwo Lo Wan would be utilized in protective works when the area enclosed is reclaimed, little cost would be involved by the provision of this temporary shelter which would be convenient for craft operating in the eastern portion of the harbour. As the shelter which will be acquired by the carrying out of the schemes of development now recommended will be in most cases as conveniently situated as this temporary refuge, its existence will then be no longer justified.

The only remaining question now to be dealt with as regards the existing harbours of refuge is effectiveness of their protective works to shelter the water areas enclosed.

Causeway Bay Shelter.

Protection of this shelter, necessitated by the carrying out of the Praya East Re- clamation scheme now in progress, has already been dealt with in the scheme recom- mended for the development of Wanchai Bay. When completed it is considered that excellent shelter will be secured for small craft.

Mongkoktsui Harbour of Refuge.

Due to damage having been caused during typhoon weather to small craft moored within this refuge, more particularly on the southern portion, the question of its impro- vement was referred to the Consulting Engineers. Whilst they indicate the position of a spur for the protection of the northern entrance, they are unwilling to recommend its construction. The only work which they propose should be carried out at present is the construction of a spur from the existing breakwater to protect the southern entrance. Their estimate of the cost of this work is $630,000.00. The spurs referred to are shewn in pink colour on Drawing No. 2.

Whilst I agree that the work recommended by the Consulting Engineers would shelter effectively the southern area of this refuge from typhoon seas, I am of the opinion that, without the additional protection of the spurs there will be sufficient area of the re- fuge closed to westerly gales to accommodate all the small craft likely to make use of this shelter when the new accommodation in the schemes recommended is available. To give immediate relief and thus avoid the necessity for craft using the portions of the refuge disturbed by gales blowing from west to south-west, I recommend the provision of alternative accommodation at Kwo Lo Wan pending provision of shelter by the con- struction of wharfage.

The estimated cost of the works necessary to construct this temporary refuge, includ- ing the cost of reclaiming an area of about 79,000 square feet, amounts to $810,000.00. As already stated the works constructed for this purpose will be utilized in the future reclamation of the area enclosed.

General.

Improvements of the Harbour Generally.

In 1905 the Consulting Engineers reported on shoaling in the harbour and in conse- quence of the great importance they attached to the question and the lack of information available, recommended that a very complete survey of certain portions of the harbour should be made.