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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, AUGUST 19, 1932.
(c) It is hoped that under the system by which the Government pro- poses to supersede rider mains all existing applications will have been dealt with by the end of November.
(iii) There are approximately 9,000 houses in the rider main districts of which 5,600 are without meters. There are 600 meters in stock in the Colony and further supplies totalling 3,650 are due by the end of October in fortnightly consiguients from now on: more meters will be ordered as required. These meters will be installed in accordance with the Government scheme for the abolition of rider mains which will be explained in connexion with the Resolution for the abolition of the rider main system.
(iv) This will depend on the rate of application and the number of applicants. The outstanding number of houses is 5,600 and 2,100 applications for meters have been received. To give separate meters to each floor of a tenement house throughout the Colony would involve the fixing of additional meters to an estimated number of from 40,000, to 50,000. This is a work which the Colony cannot undertake at present and very careful consideration of many factors (apart from the heavy capital expense) will be necessary before it is possible for the Government to pledge itself in this matter.
There is however no objection to individual owners installing separate meters of their own to determine the distribution of the supply passing through the main Government meter of the house.
7. The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. SHENTON, pursuant to notice, asked the following
questions:
1. Will Government inform this Council of Government's policy in reference
to an air mail service
(a) Between Hong Kong and French Indo-China,
(b) Between Hong Kong and Canton, and
(c) Between Hong Kong and Shanghai ?
2. Has Government ascertained whether the French Government and Chinese Government are prepared to co-operate in such enterprises, and if so on what terms?
3. Is Government prepared to financially assist private enterprise in any or
all of the above air lines?
The Hon. the Colonial Secretary replied:---
1. While the Government is not prepared to institute Air Mail services, it remains ready to accord sympathetic consideration to any practical pro- posals that may be put forward. In the absence of concrete proposals, the policy cannot be more closely defined.
2. The French authorities propose to carry out experimental flights between Hanoi and Hong Kong and it is possible that proposals will be put for- ward in the light of the results obtained.
No information is available regarding the attitude of the Chinese Government.
3. No undertaking can be given but the sympathetic consideration referred to in the first paragraph of this reply contemplates the grant of financial assistance if an application meets with approval.
8. The Hon. Sir HENRY E. POLLOCK, Kt., K.C., pursuant to notice, asked the
following questions: ---
1. Has the Government got any Estimate of the cost of making a motor-road from May Road to Magazine Gap? If so, what is the amount of such Estimate?
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