'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎103r] (210/308)

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congested. And I would therefore propose that building sites should now be
freely granted for the reception of merchandize on the vacant space at present
existing between Obstruction Pier (near Maala) and the limit of the 1,200 yards
zone of the Hedjulf Defences. With a view to improving the sanitation of the
Crater, I am of opinion that a good many buildings and store depots there
should at an early opportunity be demolished and re-erected on the Maala
plain.
7. I would therefore favour no branch line of railway into the Crater
except for passenger traffic only between that place and Tawahi. This, I think,
might with advantage follow hereafter, but for the present, I am in favour of
the railway line terminating near the Aden Coal Company’s ground under the
Hedjuff defences.
8. My proposals would have the effect of to some extent relieving existing
congestion in the Crater and of avoiding the increased congestion which would
be caused by railway buildings and sidings there.
9. I would lay particular stress upon the point that the extension of the
railway as far as Hedjuff would entail comparatively trifling expense as
compared to the heavy cost of dredging a large channel to Maala by which
means alone the existing wharf there would be made accessible to steamers.
The extra dredging which would be necessary to make a public wharf at Hedjuff
accessible to large vessels would be comparatively little.
10. Whilst I am strongly in favour of a public wharf at Hedjuff in
direct railway communication with the interior and directly accessible to cargo
vessels without the troublesome and expensive intervention of private owned
caro-o boats and lighters, I am not in favour of the proposal that cargo should be
brought on to the Tawahi Keolamation. The Tawahi Division of the Settlement
has hitherto proved healthy and I am opposed to any scheme which would
entail its congestion with a large cooly population.
11. I would point out that both the railway terminus and the store depots
and other buildings above projected would have the protection of the Mansuri
Ridge and of the°Hedjuff defences in the event of an attack on Aden, whereas
in the event of a determined attack being made on the Crater, all buildings
there would probably have to be abandoned.
12. In conclusion, I can only urge with a view to the success of the
projected radway and the general trade development of the Settlement of Aden
that the earliest possible action should be taken to secure as liberal a
modification as possible of the restrictions contained in Rules 3 and 4 of those
issued under Section 13 of the Aden Settlement Regulation Vll of 1900 and
published in Government Notification No. 6938-a., dated the 15th October 1903,
at page 1370—1375 of the Bothbxy Government Part I, dated the
29th October 1903.
I am ot opinion that the future progress and prosperity of Aden very largely
depend upon the extent to which the Maala plain can hereafter be utilized for
building purposes.
Nc. 3350, dated the 2nd December 1905.
From— Lieut.-Colonel R. Leigh, R. E„ Assistant Commanding Royal Engineer,
Aden Brigade;
To—The First Assistant Resident, Aden.
In reply to your No. 6141, dated the 9th October 1905, 1 forward herewith a report
and tracing on the proposed railway to Nobat Dakim.
His Highness the Sultan of Lahej sent a representative “Husain Bin” (Musabain ?)
to show me the line he proposed lor the railway. I went over the whole country and
considered the line proposed by the Sultan—the one now shown in the plan would probably