Notwithstanding, the Chinese have awakened fo a realization that the decadence into which it has fallen has robbed Canton of rich possibilities, and several years ago public subscriptions were solicited for stock in a Whampoa Harbour project. Foreigners whose interests are tied up in Hongkong fare apt to throw cold water on the scheme, because they believe it will rob the Colony of its prosperity, and divert most business to Chinese territory, but impartial students of the question do not believe that in the long ran Hongkong will be me Jared. Rather the round, for the increased transportation facilities will encourage the establishment of new industries in the south, which will cause a greater volumn of commerce to flow through the port of Hongkong, despite the fact that many vessels may touch at Whampoa rather than Hongkong.
It is also important to bear in mind that for several years to come the Chinese cannot hope to make Whampoa a first-class port. It would cost far too large a sum of money to dredge the channel below the Bocca Tigris Forts and seldom will ships drawing- more than 27 ft, of water be able to get over the two bars, though the harbour itself, being from 30 to 50 ft, in depth, can accommodate boats of any size, It is apparent, however, that, even though the largest oats will be precluded from entering Whampoa port, by far the greater number of those engaged in China coast or trans-Pacific trade would probably avail themselves of the opportunity of picking up cargoes there.
Estimate of $450,000
The estimate of Major Oliver-crena calls for a total expenditure of Hk$16,450,000. The development work would be divided into three stages, so that at the end of three years from the time of commencement a limited number of vessels could be accommodated; with the passing of two more years there would have been completed additional wharves and warehouses, while it would take some five years more to put the finishing touches to. the scheme. The five charyes would not be on the side of the river adjacent to the military academy, but along the northern bank, Fourteen three-storey warehouses would also be erected and a spur line would be laid to carry goods to and from the station of Chehpei_on the Canton-Kowloon Railway, but they could also be moved: over the Chungshan highway by motor trucks. It would take no longer than 20 to 25 minutes from the time of lea the: warehouse to land freight in Canton.
Unfortunately, the $1,000,000 which the public contributed so that this development project might China was united under the Nationalist Government, but the plan has been by no means abandoned. It may take some time for the Government to get its finances in such shape that it can undertaken to build the contemplated port, but that it will be built, and not in the too distant future, is a foregone conclusion, and, from what the engineer-in-chief of the Conserva ey Board, says, it is also a for conclusion that the project will be one of the best investments that has ever been made in the public interest.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.