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6. At Class A beaches all facilities are provided by Government. They are:-
(a) The North Point Beach which is largely used. 21,525 persons made use of
it in 1924. The facilities provided are adequate.
(b) The Kennedy Town Beach which was used by 15,371 persons in 1924. The beach is somewhat cramped and we recommend that additional accommoda- tion be provided by extension in a westerly direction, and that a fresh-water service be provided.
(c) Stonecutters Island which was used by 3,458 persons in 1924. We consider that the accommodation is sufficient. We consider that urinals should be provided at the above beaches, and at Stonecutters a latrine also if practicable.
At the above beaches adequate life saving appliances are provided.
We consider that it is very desirable that similar bathing facilities be provided at Kowloon. We visited-
Hung Hom-this is unsuitable as deep water comes up to the sea wall and bathing here would be dangerous for non-swimmers, and also the sea water here is apt to be fouled by oil.
Tai Wan-this beach is undoubtedly capable of development for bathing pur- poses, and we gather that the Kowloon Residents Association is formulating a scheme for presentation to Government on the subject.
7. At Class B beaches bathing is mostly from matsheds which are structures erected by private persons on sites licensed by Government, a charge being made for the licence.
Little or no accommodation has hitherto been provided for those who have not the use of a matshed, and we recommend that this be remedied.
8. We agree that matsheds are not beautiful but we consider that they are per se free from objection on sanitary grounds.
We are satisfied that they afford a very considerable amount of pleasure and health- ful recreation in fresh air to a large number of people including children. Being used as they are not only for bathing but also for picnic purposes they could not be adequately re- placed by any form of bathing boxes, tents, or machines.
From information we have received we find that the large majority of matsheds are in almost daily use either by the owner and his family or by friends.
We therefore consider that there is no call whatever to abolish bathing matsheds or to forbid the erection of structures of that type in future.
9. The principal Class B beaches are Repulse Bay and Castle Peak Bay. We re- commend that the following beaches be developed on similar lines :-
Stanley Bay.
Island Bay, Shek O.
Cheung Sha Bay.
10. We consider it essential that there be provided at all beaches of Class B :-
(a) Sanitary conveniences. We attach the greatest importance to this. It is the custom for owners of matsheds and their friends to spend long hours on the beaches and indeed not infrequently the whole day, taking meals in the mat- sheds.
(b) Life Saving Appliances. These are already supplied at the Class A beaches
and at Repulse Bay.
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