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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, APRIL 8, 1921.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 1), dated the 17th February, 1921, and moved its adoption.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Light Dues.----The following Resolution which was moved by the Colonial Secretary and seconded by the Colonial Treasurer at the last meeting of the Council was then considered :-
Whereas it is expected that the total Revenue derived from Light Dues (Special Assessment) since the introduction of the rates at prescut in force will exceed in the current year the sum of $1,104,293, being half the cost of the Typhoon Refuge at Mongkoktsui :
And whereas an undertaking was given that this Special Assessment would not be continued after the above mentioned sum had been raised unless a new Resolution should first be proposed to the Legislative Council :
And whereas, in view of the financial requirements of the Colony, it is expedient to continue
the collection of Light Dues at the present rates :
It is hereby resolved by this Council that Light Dues shall continue to be collected at the rates laid down in Table P of the Schedule to the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, No. 10 of 1899. Mr. HOLYOK, Mr. JOHNSTONE, Mr. PARR, Mr. POLLOCK, and His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council,
After some discussion His Excellency the Governor put the Resolution to the meet- ing with the words "during the present year" inserted after the word "collected" in the second last line, and the Resolution was unanimously carried.
QUESTIONS. Mr. HOLYOAK, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:----
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1. Will the Gerarnment state when they hope to open the separate Maternity Ward of the
Barker Rods Eospital?
2. Have the recommendations of the Coroner's jury on the “Tai (” tragedy been carried
out as regards two European Policenten being stationed at out-stations?
3. Will the Government, in view of the recent tragedy at West Point, wherein several per- sons lost their lives and many were injured, take steps at once to prohibit the sale of all so- called “Bombs” in this Colony, and further to enforce existing legislation against the throwing of crackers, stones or other missiles from verandahs of houses and buildings into the roadway?
4. In view of the general and considerable increase in motor traffic in this Colony, and the probability that it will still further increase ere long, will the Government appoint a small Committee to enquire into and revise traffic conditions and regulations?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
QUESTIONS.-Mr. POLLOCK, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:-
1. Will the Government include in the Hongkong Hansard all Legislative Council Questions which have been answered in the Government Gazette, together with the Answers to such Questions?
2. Will the Government include in the Census which is leing compiled this year, a Census of
Chinese who have been bought-
(a) for purposes of adoption;
(b) for domestic service?
3. When will work be commenced on the Kowloon hospital site ? What steps are being taken
to expedite the building of such hospital ?
4. Is it the fact that, without alteration to the passing points, Cars can be put on the Peak Tramway to hold 60 passengers each instead of 40? If so, will the Government, in view of many people being frequently crowded out of the Cars, urge the Peak Tramway Com- pany to put on such larger Cars at an early date?
5. Will the Government lay upon the table the correspondence between
(i) His Excellency the Governor; and
(ii) The Hongkong Government
and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, upon the subject of Constitutional Reform, since the Public Meeting in January, 1919, at which Resolutions were passed in favour of
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