PRESENT:―
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 41 28TH OCTOBER, 1920.
on the General Post Office, Hongkong, for the year
1919; Report of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs for
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS, K.C.M.G.
HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL F. VENTRIS, C.B. (General Officer Commanding Troops in China).
HON. MR. A. G. M. FLETCHER, C.B.E. (Colonial Secretary).
HON. MR. J. H. KEMP, K.C., C.B.E. (Attorney General).
HON. MR. D. W. TRATMAN (Colonial Treasurer).
HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, O.B.E. (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).
HON. MR. E. A. IRVING (Director of Education). HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK.
HON. MR. E. V. D. PARR.
HON. MR. LAU CHU PAK.
HON. MR. HO FOOK.
MR. W. J. CARRIE (Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HON. MR. P. HOBSON HOLYOAK.
HON. MR. JOHN JOHNSTONE.
Minutes
The Minutes of the last meeting were confirmed. Papers
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the Report of the Police Magistrates Courts for the year 1919. Report
the year 1919; Report of the Director of Public Works for the years 1919; Reports of the Medical and Sanitary Departments for the year 1919; Quarterly Return of excesses on sub heads met by savings under heads of expenditure (for the second quarter of 1920); abstract showing the differences between the approved estimates of expenditure for 1920 and the estimates of expenditure for 1921; Financial statements in connection with the estimates for 1921.
Government Contribution to Famine Fund
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 55 to 103, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR ―Before putting this motion to the Council I would draw your attention specially to Financial Minute No. 97, which provides for a grant of $100,000 in aid of the vote "charitable services"―and which represents the contribution that the Government thought it right to give in aid of the relief of distress in North China. The Colony owes so much to its connection with the Chinese Republic that I am sure everybody will agree that it is right that the Colony should contribute this sum from its resources to relieve the sufferings of the people of the North. The matter was one that required to be dealt with as quickly as possible, therefore, hon. members were consulted privately and they unanimously agreed to this vote. The money has already, therefore, been forwarded to His Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires at Peking.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Finance
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, also laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 6), and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
42 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Offensive Trades By-laws
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved that the following amendment, made by the Sanitary Board on July 6th, to the Offensive Trades By-laws be approved: ―
By-law No. 14 contained in Schedule B of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, and published on pages 33 to 35 of the Regulations of Hongkong, 1914, under the heading "Offensive Trades" is hereby repealed and the following by-law is substituted therefor:―
"14.―The Board may require the adoption of such special measures and appliances as may seem to them to be necessary in the case of dusty offensive trades for mitigating as far as possible the danger and nuisance arising from the dissemination of dust through the atmosphere of the premises, and in the case of the trade of rag-picking, rag-storing, hair-cleaning, feather storing or feather-cleaning, for disinfecting the premises and the materials used and for the destruction of vermin therein."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said―The only alterations to the by-law consists of the last three lines: "and in the case of the trade of rag-picking, rag-storing, hair-cleaning, feather-storing or feather-cleaning, for disinfecting the premises and the materials used and for the destruction of vermin therein."
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the amendment was approved.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY also moved that the Council approve the following amendment, made by the Sanitary Board on September 28th:―
By-law No. 6 contained in Schedule B of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, and published on page 34 of the Regulations of Hongkong, 1914, under the heading "Offensive Trades" is hereby repealed and the following by-law is substituted therefor:―
"6.―Every licensee shall cause the internal surface of every wall upon the premises where his trade is carried on to be thoroughly cleansed, and after being so cleansed, to be thoroughly washed with hot limewash during the months of January and July of each year."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said―There is no new matter in this by-law. It is simply a question of re wording in order to make the intention more clear.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the amendment was approved.
Domestic Cleanliness and Ventilation
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the following amendment, made by the Sanitary Board on July 20th to the Offensive Trades By-laws, be approved:―
The By-laws contained in Schelule B of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, and published on pages 22 and 23 of the Regulations of Hongkong, 1914, as amended by the addition made on the 29th day of June, 1915, and published in the Gazette on the 9th day of July, 1915, as Government Notification No. 304, under the heading "Domestic Cleanliness and Ventilation" are hereby amended by the cancellation of By-law 4 and the substitution therefor of the following By-law:―
"4.―In any case where, on receipt of the notice mentioned in By-law 3 or on the expiry of the several periods set out in that By-law 3 it appears to the Board that the provisions and requirements of that By-law have not been completed to its satisfaction, the Board shall have full power after 14 days notice to the owners given in writing to enter on the premises and thoroughly to cleanse and limewash the said premises and the cost of such cleansing and limewashing shall be paid by the owner of such premises at a rate not to exceed $3 for each floor."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said ― The change in this by-law is that formerly these premises required to have a certain part cement rendered making it impervious, and it was not necessary to limewash that portion. As it is liable to become greasy it is considered preferable that it should be limewashed.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the amendment was approved.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 43
A Supplementary Vote
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to authorize the appropriation of a Supplementary sum of four million and twenty-six thousand three hundred and thirty-six dollars and eleven cents ($4,026,336.11) to defray the charges of the year 1919.
The Bill provides that the sum shall be expended as hereinafter specified, that is to say:―
Harbour Master's Department............... $34,606.10 Miscellaneous Services......................... 3,821,703.60 Police and Prison Departments............. 23,941.94 Public Works, Recurrent........................ 120,509.87
Charitable Services................................ 25,574.60
Total .............................. $4,026,336.11
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said―The object of this Bill is to give legislative sanction to expenditure incurred during 1919 which was not voted in the Budget for that year, but was subsequently approved by this Council. The sum, amounting to a little over four million dollars, is a large one, but I may point out that these excesses in certain departments are off-set by savings in other departments, shown on page 60 of the comparative statement in your hands. The total excess amounted to $5,920,748.84 and the saving to $2,682,719.48, leaving a deficit of $3,238,029.36. By far the largest item, or practically the whole of the deficit, consisted of the Government's expenditure on its rice undertaking. It will be seen on page 13 of the comparative statement that the loss on rice is given as $3,087,749.46. I may, say, however, that owing to somewhat undue pessimism we undervalued the stocks of rice which we held in 1919 and we realised an additional amount when we sold our total holdings in the spring of this year. The final loss on the rice transactions amounts to $2,707,798.71. The details of this Bill, in accordance with the usual practice, will be considered in the Finance Committee.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
The Budget
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the first
reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding fourteen million and eighty-four thousand six hundred and sixty-two dollars ($14,084,662) to the Public Service of the year 1921.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.
The Bill provides that the said sum shall be charged upon the revenue and other funds of the Colony and may be expended as hereinafter specified, that is to say: ―
EXPENDITURE.
Governor....................................................... $80,760 Cadet Service................................................ 252,440 Colonial Secretary's Department and
Legislature................................................ 49,558 Colonial Secretary's Special Expenditure... 400 Secretariat for Chinese Affairs .................... 19,904 Audit Department......................................... 45,992 Treasury......................................................... 55,280 Treasury Special Expenditure ..................... 200 Harbour Master's Department..................... 239,421 Harbour Master's Special Expenditure ...... 12,000 Imports and Exports Department ............... 845,843 Royal Observatory....................................... 29,705 Royal Observatory Special Expenditure 2,100 Miscellaneous Services................................ 633,442 Miscellaneous Services Special
Expenditure.............................................. 15,000 Judicial and Legal Departments ................. 254,767 Judicial and Legal Departments Special
Expenditure.............................................. 180 Police and Prison Departments................... 1,672,918 Police and Prison Departments Special
Expenditure.............................................. 42,795 Medical Department.................................... 368,094 Medical Department Special Expenditure. 700 Sanitary Department.................................... 504,500 Sanitary Department Special Expenditure. 58,650 Botanical and Forestry Department ........... 64,394 Education...................................................... 605,073 Education Special Expenditure................... 181,580 Volunteer Defence Corps............................. 38,359 Public Works Department........................... 632,060 Public Works Department Special
Expenditure.............................................. 450
44 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
the figures which are given for 1921 include the
Public Works, Recurrent........................ 840,600 Public Works, Extraordinary................. 4,967,400 Post Office.............................................. 292,317 Kowloon-Canton Railway.................... 515,998
Special Expenditure.......................... 382,310 Pensions.................................................. 312,900 Charitable Services................................ 66,572
Total .............................. $14,084,662
THE ESTIMATES.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―Hon. members of the Legislative Council. ― In introducing the Estimates last year, I stated that the expenditure for 1919 was then expected to amount to $15,078,600 leaving out of account the transactions in connection with the purchase and sale of rice. Actually the expenditure, including these transactions, amounted to $17,915,925. The revised estimate of revenue for 1919 was $17,056,410, but only $16,524,975 was realised, with the result that the balance of assets over liabilities on 31st December, 1919, was $4,290,188, instead of the estimated sum of $7,658,948.
It is now estimated that the revenue for the current year will amount to $14,177,478 or $1,137,322 less than the original estimate. The deficit is more than accounted for by the reduction in the revenue from the 1 4
Opium Monopoly from $6 million to $ million. 2
The expenditure for 1920 is now estimated at $13,768,830 or $1,117,643 less than the orginal estimate, the difference being due to the fact that over $1 million less is being spent on Public Works Extraordinary than was originally anticipated.
The programme for 1920 was, perhaps, of a somewhat ambitions character and owing to the difficulties of obtaining supplies due to the disturbed state of the world in general it has proved impossible to carry out all the works which it was hoped to undertake.
The balance of assets at the end of the current year is now estimated at $4,698,835.
Increased Stamp Duties
The specific sums which we expect to receive under each sub-head of revenue are shown at pages 6 to 12 of the estimates before you. It will be seen from the footnotes that a number of items are to be revised and
additional sum which will result from an increase in fees. For example, Stamp Duties are put at $2,100,000 in place of $1,100,000 it being the intention to increase considerably the majority of fees which are paid in stamps. A committee is now sitting to consider the details of the changes which are necessary to secure this result. The necessity for taking steps to increase the revenue in this way arises from the fact that, as I predicted last year in speaking on the Budget debate, the revenue from the Opium Monopoly has been still further diminished. There has been during the current year a considerable reduction in the consumption of the Monopoly's product, a position which, though unfortunate in its financial aspect, is gratifying from a wider point of view. On the latest figures available we do not feel justified in anticipating a revenue of more than $4,000,000 from this source in 1921, that is a reduction of $2,000,000 compared with the figures inserted in the Estimates for 1920. With the growing expense of administration it is not possible to face this large reduction without replacing it, or a considerable part of it, from other sources. The other decreases in heads of revenue are not large; $28,000 is anticipated in place of $36,000 from hawkers' licences, owing to the reduction in the number of licences due to the policy of keeping the streets reasonably clear; a reduction has been made of $9,000 on a total of $284,000 in respect of liquor licences; and there is a falling off of some $7,000 in respect of Slaughter House receipts, which are estimated at $105,600. In both these cases the figures are based on the revised estimates for 1920. Rent of Buildings is less by the rent of the Old Post Office which is now to be sold, and Rent of Lands is decreased owing to the proposed taking over by the Government of the site opposite the Central Market; interest is estimated at $260,000 in place of $320,000 for the current year.
Increased Revenue Expectations
I may call attention to the following increases: On page 7 a sum of $60,000 is inserted in respect of Kowloon East Ferry licences. The service to Yaumati and Shamshuipo, recently established under Government supervision, has proved very successful, and it is intended to regulate on similar lines the ferries running to Hunghom, Kowloon City, and Shaukiwan with a view to the improvement of the service.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 45
Tobacco duties are expected to produce an additional $60,000 owing to increased consumption. Water should bring in an extra $250,000, the increase being partly accounted for by a proposal to charge excess supply against houses on the rider main system. That system was introduced to cope with the situation when water always ran short in the winter months, and the method was to cut off the rider mains except during short periods in each day. Now that there is a constant supply houses in the rider main areas can draw off water continuously and in any quantity, unchecked by the system of meters which prevails elsewhere; and the wastage is very considerable.
It is anticipated that increased business at the Post Office will bring in an additional $70,000; also that increased traffic on the Railway will result in a gain of $66,800. Widows and Orphans Pension contributions are higher by $14,000, owing to higher payments on increased salaries; and it is anticipated that an additional $100,000 will be received from Land Sales.
Estimates of Expenditure for 1921
The expenditure for next year is estimated to amount to $17,349,150, being $2,462,677 more than the original estimate and $3,580,320 more than the revised estimate for the current year. The increases and decreases under each department are set out in the sessional paper which has been laid on the table.
It will be seen from page 2 of the draft estimates, that the members of the Cadet Service, who were formerly included under the various departments, are grouped separately under the heading "Cadet Service." The change in classification is desirable for accounting purposes, as under the previous system much confusion was caused when an officer of the Cadet Service was transferred from one department to another. The new system of payment of cadets is based on the principle of continuous increments. Under the system previously obtaining Cadet appointments were grouped in three classes, and this system had serious disadvantages. In the past the incidence of promotion has been very uneven, a good officer being frequently kept waiting for promotion because there was no vacancy for which he was specially fitted. Under the system which has now been introduced Cadet Officers are paid on a scale of salaries dependent on their length of service so that they can be utilised according to their individual capacity and the requirements of the Public Service without regard to questions of seniority. A Cadet can now rise directly from a salary of £350 to a salary of £1,200, subject to two strict efficiency bars which he may not pass unless his service is wholly
satisfactory.
Provision is made for four unpassed cadets, who are required against normal wastage and the increase in Government work consequent upon the expansion of the Colony.
Changes at the Treasury
Under Treasury, on page 20, an assistant treasurer and a European Accountant are provided for. The latter will eventually take place of the Cashier, who is shortly due for pension. The separate office of Assessor of Rates is abolished, and the work will in future form part of the general work of the Treasury.
Harbour Department Changes
In the Harbour Master's Department, on page 24, provision is made for a European Deputy Shipping Master, whose work will include all matters appertaining to ship's crews with whom he will be brought into constant contact. On page 27 are shown two Lighthouse Keepers and three Apprentice Lighthouse Keepers on dollar salaries. It has been decided to supplement the European Lighthouse Service with local men, of the type which mans the Lighthouses on the China Coast. It is anticipated that considerable economy with no loss in efficiency will be thereby secured. Provision is made on page 29 for the purchase of a motor boat which is required in connection with the expanding traffic in the harbour.
In the Imports and Exports Department, on page 32, the increase of $300,000 for purchase of raw opium is accounted for by the increase in the price charged by the Government of India.
Under Royal Observatory, on page 33, provision is made for the purchase of a Seismograph.
Grants to the University
Under Miscellaneous Services, on page 34, Hon. Members will see that a grant of $200,000 to the University of Hongkong
46 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
takes the place of three separate grants aggregating $21,000. The Government has undertaken the responsibility for debts amounting to some $600,000 and it has agreed to add $1,000,000 to the endowment fund, and to increase its yearly grant. Among the Financial Minutes which have been referred to the Finance Committee is one in which the Council is being asked to vote a sum of $1,000,000 on account. The $200,000 provided for next year will be used in the first place to meet deficit on current expenditure and as to the balance for increasing the endowment fund. I may mention that the Chamber of Commerce have generously doubled their subscription, which was formerly $1,000 yearly, for scholarships for Yunnan students, and the Government is setting aside a like sum, as part of this vote of $200,000, for the same purpose.
Small increases appear in the votes for the Imperial Bureau of Entomology and the Tropical Diseases Research Fund.
Other Miscellaneous Services have $65,000 allocated in place of $5,000, as the latter amount is in present circumstances quite inadequate.
The vote for Special Allowances on Salaries is reduced from $465,000 to $100,000, the latter figure representing the sum which will probably be required in connection with the revision of the salaries of the non-European clerical service and certain others, which is not yet completed.
The vote for telegrams is reduced from $18,000 to $10,000. The volume of telegrams sent by the Government is now much less than it was during and immediately after the war.
$100,000 is asked for in respect of the Transport of Government Servants, in place of the former $12,000 in consequence of the grant to all European officers of free passages to and from England. This concession is limited to a period of five years, when it may be cancelled or revised, according to the circumstances then obtaining.
$15,000 is asked for to cover expenses in connection with the census which is to be taken next year.
The votes in respect of Government Launches, and Government Buildings and Courts of Justice, have been transferred to the Harbour Master's and Public Works Departments respectively, where they belong more appropriately than they do to the Treasury, which administers the Miscellaneous Services votes.
The District Officer, on page 40, has been provided with a sum of $5,000 to enable him to assist the villagers in the New Territories in the execution of small local works, such as path-making and building of bridges over streams.
Under Crown Solicitor, on page 42, $3,000 is provided in respect of the occasional engagement of outside assistance, rendered necessary by pressure of work in the department.
The Police Department
The Police Department votes, on page 43, have been generally revised. The establishment, exclusive of Officers and Water Police, has been increased from 1,047 to 1,100 six Europeans and ninety-four Chinese Police have been added, the numbers of the Indian contingent being at the same time reduced from 447 to 400. I am satisfied that this rearrangement will not result in any loss in efficiency, and there will be some saving in expense. The establishment before the war was 947. The Chinese and Indian non-commissioned officers' ranks are considerably augmented, in order to improve the prospects of promotion and so to add to the attractiveness of the service.
The Police Training School, shown on page 47, is a new departure, its object being that recruits may be properly grounded in their duties before they are taken on the strength. It is proposed eventually to place the school adjoining the new Gaol on the eastern end of the reclamation at Kowloon City.
It will be seen, on page 47, that the votes in connection with Police serving in other Government Departments are now administered by the Police Department; in order that the men may be in this respect under one control. These men are supernumerary to the establishment proper.
The vote for Passages, on page 49, is increased from $25,000 to $64,000, owing to heavy increase in cost of passages. Bonuses in lieu of passages have been abolished, it being considered undesirable to offer men an inducement not to take leave when due.
The vote of $37,500 for Rations for Indian Police is new, the grant of free rations forming part of the new pay scheme.
Under Special Expenditure on page 53, provision is made for a motor ambulance, four motor cycles, and a patrol waggon.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 47
The ambulance is to take the place of the present one which has proved unsuitable. The other motor vehicles are required to keep pace with the times.
Sums are also included for furnishing married quarters, the Government having, with the consent of Hon. Members, decided to provide a certain amount of furniture to all Government quarters; and for modern iron bunks for the Chinese Police in place of the wooden boards on which they have hitherto slept.
Fire Brigade
The increase in the Fire Brigade vote, at page 49, from $53,590 to $77,243 is partly due to the establishment of a separate Station at Kowloon. On page 52 provision is made for a small Fire Float for Cheung Chau island, costing $1,500, for a motor pump to replace a pump moved to Kowloon, and for a new extension ladder.
Prison Department
The vote under Prison, at page 51, is $284,936, compared with $147,270 voted in respect of the current year. The increase is largely due to the expense of the separate establishment required for the prison recently opened at Laichikok, particulars of which are given on page 106. This Council has already voted considerable sums for the Laichikok Prison during the present year, and it has also voted additional money for such items as clothing for staff, clothing and food for prisoners, and fuel, the expenditure on which was much underestimated when the estimates for 1920 were prepared. The experiment of transferring short sentence prisoners to Laichikok has been fully justified by results. The congestion in Victoria Gaol has been put an end to and the health of the prisoners generally is very much improved. Juvenile offenders will in future be imprisoned at Laichikok. I propose to separate the Prison Department from the Police Department, and the title of its head has accordingly been changed from Assistant Superintendent, Victoria Gaol to Superintendent of Prisons.
Medical Department
The only change of importance under the Medical Department is the transfer of the Office of Health Officer of the Port, shown at page 59, from a private practitioner to a Government Medical Officer. Dr. Jordan who has held the post since the year 1888 to the entire satisfaction of the Government, has resigned with effect from the end of this year. It is thought advisable that in future the post should be held by a
whole-time officer directly under the control of the Principal Civil Medical Officer.
At page 61 a European Sampler is provided for the Government Laboratory, as the outcome of correspondence with the Chamber of Commerce. There was in a recent case a suggestion that samples had been tampered with, and this Government is determined to take every step possible to ensure that no preventable cause shall militate against the accuracy of its Analysts' certificates.
Motor Vehicles for Dumping Refuse
Under Sanitary Department, at page 67, provision is made for two motor tractors and five trucks, for the purpose of dumping the Kowloon refuse on the foreshore at Laichikok in connection with the reclamation there. It is proposed to use prison labour at the dump.
Education
Under Education, at page 70, provision is made for a full European staff, but there are at present a number of vacancies which so far it has not been possible to fill. The interruption in training caused by the war has checked the supply, but it is hoped that suitable candidates will shortly be forthcoming. The salaries of Chinese teachers have been considerably improved, and arrangements have been made for giving candidates for Masterships a full course of training at the Hongkong University, as explained on page 106. I regard it as of primary importance that we should have an efficient teaching staff, without which it is of little use to make plans for the creation of new Government schools. It is proposed, however to give considerable assistance towards the expansion of private schools, in the shape of building grants and, on page 73, a sum of $180,000 is inserted in place of the sum of $10,000 voted for the current year. The institutions which it is proposed to assist are the Canton College, which it is hoped will prove a useful feeder to the University, St. Joseph's College, St. Mary's School, the Man Mo School, and a school to be erected by the Church Missionary Society in West End Park. If the
48 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Diocesan Boys' School are in a position to make a commencement next year with their new buildings in Kowloon, it will be necessary to ask this Council for a further vote.
The Volunteer Defence Corps
The Volunteer expenditure, on page 74, is reduced from $71,481 to $38,359, owing mainly to the large falling off in the membership of the local forces which has resulted from the re-introduction of the voluntary system. A considerable falling off was, of course, to be anticipated when the system of compulsory service was abandoned, but it must be confessed that the recruiting for the new volunteer force has been disappointing.
P.W.D. Salaries
The question of the salaries of the Public Works Department European Staff has not yet been settled, and the estimates show the old rates with the addition of the temporary allowance of 20 per cent. which was granted pending revision.
Under the Correspondence Sub-department, at page 76, provision is made for an Office Assistant, a post rendered necessary by the constantly increasing work.
Public Works Recurrent, at page 80, shows a normal increase, from $785,600 to $840,600, due to the growth of the Colony.
Railway Expenditure
The recurrent Railway expenditure has increased from $420,167 to $515,998, owing mainly to increase in salaries. The Railway employs a large number of men who came under the strike award. Provision is made, at page 98, for special expenditure in the sum of $382,310, including a sum of $182,500 for seven new carriages. It is proposed to purchase two motor carriages which will be available for small parties of passengers in cases where the expense of an ordinary train is hardly justified. The other principal items are in respect of a yard for housing engines and motor carriages at Lowu; for a bridge to span the new road from Shamshuipo to Kowloon City; and for re-railing the Beacon Hill tunnel.
Pensions Increased
With regard to Pensions, at page 99, I may state that officers now on pension have been granted increases varying from ten to thirty per cent., according to the
rate of pension. All Widows and Orphans pensions have been increased by 25 per cent., pending reconsideration of the rates generally.
Public Works Programme
The programme of Public Works Extraordinary, shown at page 82, has been fully considered by the Public Works Committee of this Council.
Under item 3 a sum of $500,000 is provided for Officers' Quarters. The policy of housing Public Officers has been approved by this Council, and the money now asked for is required in connection with the development of the Homestead and Pavilions sites where six or perhaps seven houses and six flats are to be erected, and also for four houses on Findlay Road and one house on Barker Road.
With regard to item 5, it is proposed to build on the site between the Central Market and the sea a large six storeyed building to house the Fire Brigade, the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs, the Imports and Exports Department, the Laboratory, the Port Health Office, and the department of the Principal Civil Medical Officer. The Harbour Department will take over the Imports and Exports Offices and will be able to house in one building its sub-departments which are now in the Post Office and at the Sailors' Home, and a number of offices in the Post Office Building will be released.
Government House Extension
Under item 9 I am asking the Council to vote a sum of $100,000 for works at Government House. The kitchen and garage blocks are quite unsuitable for modern requirements, and would have been reconstructed long ago but for the economy necessitated by the war. The vote now asked for provides for their reconstruction and also for the provision of additional bed-rooms. The existing bed room accommodation at Government House is scarcely adequate for a Governor, who has any family of his own, and it is constantly necessary to provide for guests who are passing through Hongkong and who are entitled to expect to receive the hospitality of His Majesty's representative. Additions to the present building would be very difficult and costly and I propose, therefore, to meet the case by building a small separate bungalow on the grounds, which will contain two or three bed-rooms.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 49
More Hospital Accommodation
Item 30 provides for a Marconi Bellini Direction
Item 10 provides for the reconstruction of the Victoria hospital and the building of a maternity wing. A committee was recently appointed to advise on the matter and their recommendations have been adopted.
Item 11 refers to a proposal to build a new hospital to relieve the pressure at the Civil Hospital where the demand has outgrown the accommodation. It is the intention to allow private practitioners to have wards in which they can see their own patients in the new hospital. the question of site is bound up with the Military Lands questions, and it may not be possible to make a commencement next year.
Item 12 provides for a building for an outpatient department for the Government Civil Hospital, which should be of great use both to the Government and to the University.
Item 13 is in respect of the rebuilding of Saiyingpun School on a site on Bonham Road near the University, which it is hoped to acquire. The site affords ample space for a large school on modern lines.
Road Construction on the Island
Under Roads, item 16, I may call attention to the road from Bowen Road to Deep Water Bay, which will provide quicker communication with the southern side of the island; to the road from Taitam Gap to Cape D'Aguilar, which will open up new country; to the road from Wanchai Gap, past Magazine Gap, to Chamberlain Road, which will open up the Peak to motor traffic; to the widening of Garden Road; to the widening and improvement of the Shaukiwan Road, which forms part of the scheme for driving a 100ft. main road along the line of the present Praya East out to Shaukiwan.
It is not proposed to proceed with the scheme for widening Queen's Road East, as the expense is enormous, and on the completion of the Praya East Reclamation there will be a 100ft.. road close by and parallel to Queen's Road East.
Under item 17 provision is made for a cable from the Observatory to Stonecutters Wireless Telegraph Station for the purpose of sending out time signals.
Item 28 is in respect of furniture for officers' quarters. It has been decided with the approval of the Council to provide heavy furniture for all quarters occupied by European officers.
Finder which it is proposed to install at Cape D'Aguilar in order to assist shipping during the foggy season.
Item 31 provides for the reconstruction of Queen's Statue Wharf which is long overdue.
Item 37 is in respect of the Eastern District Filter Beds which are urgently required to improve the water service in the eastern part of the Colony and to allow for water supply for the houses on Broadwood Road. Item 37, 8-inch main from North Point to Shaukiwan, is in connection with the same scheme.
Item 38 provides for an additional main to the Peak which is necessary to cope with the increasing demand for water at the Peak.
Item 41 provides additional plant for the Peak Pumps. Temporary arrangements for a water supply to Mount Cameron are proposed under item 42 in order to encourage the development of building sites which have been opened by the Wanchai Gap Road.
Item 43 provides for a water supply to Repulse Bay.
Items 45 to 48 are in respect of next year's expenditure by the Government on the Praya East Reclamation scheme.
The commencement of a new Police Station at Yaumati is provided for under item 49. Space is being left for the erection of a Magistracy which will before long be required on the Kowloon side.
A Hospital for Kowloon
The sum of $50,000 is inserted under item 51 in respect of the Kowloon Hospital. It is proposed in the first instance to commence with a small building which will be capable of expansion when the needs of Kowloon become better known. It is considered desirable that the main hospital establishments should continue to be on the island.
Item 53 provides for a Police Station at Mongkoktsui, which is required to cope with the increasing population in that neighbourhood.
50 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Kowloon Roads
Under Roads, item 55, $200,000 is provided for the main roads from Shamshuipo to Kowloon City and from Hunghom to Kowloon City. Provision is also made for extending Coronation Road to meet the new main road from Shamshuipo to Kowloon City. $100,000 is provided for commencing the work of surfacing the main roads in Kowloon in order to fit them to carry omnibus and similar traffic.
Item 60 provides the sum of $60,000 for filling in the tidal flat near Taikoktsui. This filling in will result in the provision of a large area of good building sites.
Further provision is made under item 68 for improving the water distribution service in Kowloon, and under item 69 $65,000 is set aside for new filter beds.
Items 71 and 72 are in respect of quarters for the Land Bailiff and the Court House for the District Officer at Un Long and new Clerk's Quarters at Taipo.
Under item 73, $40,000 is provided for the commencement of the new Gaol building at Ngau Shi Wan. The Government has acquired from the Kai Tack Reclamation Company an area of 15 acres of re claimed ground at the eastern end of Kowloon City Reclamation, upon which it is proposed to erect the Gaol and the Police School. The site is admirably situated for both purposes and there is in the immediate neighbourhood a very large quantity of granite upon the working of which it is proposed to employ the prisoners.
A diaphone fog signalling installation at Waglan is provided for under item 74. The Harbour Master, who goes on leave next spring, is proceeding to Canada in order to study this system which has been successfully employed on the Canadian coast.
Under item 75, $17,000 is provided for a new school building at Cheung Chau.
Item 77 refers to roads in the New Territories. $15,000 is set apart for widening the Taipo Road between the third and fifth milestones, and $100,000 is provided for metalling and tar-painting the Laichi kok Castle Peak and Taipo Roads. An additional $15,000 is provided for improving the Coastal Road to Laichikok in order to enable it to carry the refuse tractors and trucks to which I have already referred.
Under item 78 and 84, $100,000 is provided for
training the main stream at Laichikok and providing a large basin for the water boats at its mouth. This work is rendered necessary by the extensive reclamation schemes which are in progress or are contemplated in this neighbourhood.
$10,000 is provided under item 79 for sewerage work in connection with the Kowloon City Reclamation.
$200,000 is asked for under item 80 for continuing the reclamation at Shamshuipo. The Government is using every endeavour to induce the Chinese population to live in this neighbourhood and the rapid growth of Shamshuipo testifies to its success in this connection. It is hoped that eventually the provision of housing accommodation both here and at Kowloon City will relieve the great congestion now obtaining in the City of Victoria.
Under item 82 provision is made for a new pier at Cheung Chau.
Item 83 refers to the refuse dump near Laichikok, of which I have already spoken.
Item 88 sets aside a sum $30,000 for a Fanling waterworks scheme. The Government proposes to take over the system which now belongs to the Golf Club, and to supply water to the neighbourhood.
A Record Vote
The total expenditure on Public Works Extraordinary amounts to a sum of $4,967,400, an amount which is far in excess of any vote in former year. It will probably be necessary to strengthen the staff of the Public Works Department in order to enable it to carry out the programme; but I may mention that I am prepared, if necessary, to place work in the hands of private firms both to relieve the pressure on the Government staff and for the purpose of encouraging local enterprise. The development of the Homestead site has been entrusted to Messrs. Little, Adams, & Wood, and Messrs. Denison, Ram, & Gibbs are erecting a house for the Government at the eastern end of Finlay Road.
I have no hesitation in asking for this large sum of money. I consider it to be of the utmost importance that the Government should do all in its power not merely to keep pace with but to anticipate the growth and expansion of this progressive Colony.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 51
Schemes of Development
I may take this opportunity to refer to schemes of development which are not touched on or are barely touched on in these estimates. There is in the first place the proposed motor omnibus service for Kowloon. Tenders will shortly be invited for a service which will maintain a fixed schedule at cheap rates along the main Kowloon roads, with a view to opening up outlying districts. It is not the intention of the Government to make money out of the scheme, which may possibly be run at a loss, at least at the commencement. I do not propose that the service should be maintained by the Government as I consider that an enterprise of this nature is better left in private hands.
I may refer in this connection to the housing problem. Under its policy of building loans the Government has advanced or has arranged to advance $1,000,000, in exchange for which it has secured the erection of 11 houses and 29 flats in Hongkong, 67 houses and 63 flats in Kowloon, and one house at Fanling. It has under consideration schemes for the extension of the enterprising Colony at Ho Mun Tin and for the development, possibly on Garden City lines, of a large area at Kowloon Tong. The chief obstacles have hitherto been inadequacy of communications, which will be largely remedied by the omnibus service, and the necessity for preparing in advance proper townplanning schemes which will ensure the best use being made of the ground. Progress is being made with this work as fast as possible, but the many other calls upon the Public Works Department preclude the possibility of an early completion. It is the sincere hope of the Government that the Kai Tack Reclamation Scheme at Kowloon City will meet with the success which is anticipated by the promoters. The promoters have been somewhat handicapped by lack of the funds necessary to complete so ambitious a project, but a very large amount of good building land in one of the best situations in the Colony is now available, and when once a start is made development should proceed rapidly. The new omnibus and ferry services and the new roads to Kowloon City will no doubt prove of considerable assistance. On the island of Hongkong the road to Wanchai Gap has already led to several enquiries for building sites, and the enterprise of the Hongkong Hotel Company at Repulse Bay foreshadows the rapid development of that neighbourhood. The Government is in treaty with the Dairy Farm for the release of some of the land now under grass at Pokfulam, and applications have been received for permission to build upon a Farm Lot on the Pokfulam Road which has recently been resumed. Arrangements have been and are being made for the
conversion of farm lots at Wongneichong, for the purpose of the erection of a large number of houses. The question of the resumption of military lands in Victoria is appreciably nearer solution.
The European House Shortage
I may say here that I have been at some pains to ascertain to what extent there is an actual shortage of housing accommodation for Europeans, but without any very definite result. That there is a shortage appears to be generally admitted but I have been struck by an advertisement which has for some time past been appearing in the Press to the effect that a number of European flats are available for occupation on Coronation Road. I understand that the flats are in every way suitable but that enquirers consider the distance from the Star Ferry Wharf to be too great: and are not apparently disposed to use the Yaumati Ferry which is close by. Prospective tenants can hardly expect that in towns of constantly rising land values, such as Victoria and Kowloon, they can continue to rent dwellings at cheap rentals within easy distance of their offices. The question is primarily an economic one which cannot be greatly affected by Government action. The Government can probably do little more than endeavour to secure that existing possibilities are made the most of and I may say in this connection that I have under consideration the question of taking steps to ensure that suitable land is not allowed to remain unoccupied.
Revision of Salaries Costs
A Million Dollars
With regard to the Estimates generally, I have not attempted to deal in detail with the very large number of changes brought about by the salary revision schemes. The
52 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
increase in salaries has ranged between 20 and 30 per cent. in the great majority of cases, and the total additional cost is in the neighbourhood of $1,000,000. It has been the aim of the Government to abolish as far as possible all allowances and special payments and to make an officer's salary cover the whole of the duties which he may be called upon to perform. In addition to increases of salary important concessions have been granted as regards passages, housing, leave and acting pay, and exchange. Exchange is the principal difficulty with which the Government has to contend in fixing an adequate rate of remuneration, and that difficulty has been accentuated by the violent fluctuations in the dollar during recent years. If the dollar were to return to the pre-war level the whole situation would doubtless have again to be reviewed, but in the meantime equipoise has been to a certain extent established by the introduction of a sliding scale, whereunder, as the dollar ranges between 4s. 8d. and 2s. 6d. sterling salaries are converted at rates ranging between $10 and $12 to the pound starling.
Financial Position Satisfactory
and Prospects Bright
In conclusion I may say that I regard the Colony's present financial position as satisfactory and I consider that the prospects for the future are bright. The difference of about two million dollars between the estimated revenue and the estimated expenditure need cause no anxiety. It is fully accounted for by the large programme of public works many of which are proper charges on the accrued balances of the past which, as I said last year, I consider cannot be utilised to better purpose than in furthering the development of the Colony. In the future, expenditure will no doubt continue to grow, and we have foreshadowed large schemes of development, such as that in connection with the harbour, which will cost large sums of money; but the past history of Hongkong gives good ground for confidence that this wealthy community will find little difficulty in shouldering its future burdens. As I have already said, I feel that it is necessary to take steps to raise from other sources some part of the revenue which we are losing owing to diminished opium receipts, but I do not consider that the circumstances are such as to necesitate any far-reaching schemes of new taxation at the present time. Slight readjustments, which this lightly taxed community can easily bear, will, I believe, provide all that we require for the moment.
It is unfortunately the case that China is still crippled by internal dissension, and the acute situation which has recently arisen close to our borders is reflected in
the stagnation of trade which is depressing the Colony's markets. I may express the hope that a satisfactory settlement will speedily be reached and that our neighbours is Canton will then enter upon the era of prosperity which is bound to come as soon as the country is at peace.
Appreciated Assistance
Before I sit down, I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the assistance which the Kowloon Residents' Association has afforded me in connection with various matters affecting the interests of that district of the Colony. When I first arrived in Hongkong I said that I had been accustomed in my former Colony to ask for and to receive the assistance of all sections of the community in matters of public interest and that I hoped to follow the same practice here. The Kowloon Residents' Association have taken me at my word and we have consulted each other on a number of occasions with results which have, I hope, been satisfactory to both parties.―(Applause.)
The Bill was then read a first time.
A Plants Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to provide for the protection of trees, shrubs, and other plants.
The statement of "objects and reasons" attached to the Bill says:―"Considerable damage has been done in recent years to azaleas by the picking of the flowering branches for the purpose of table and house decoration, and strong action is necessary if this shrub, which used to be such a striking feature of the hillsides in the flowering season, is to be saved from practical extermination except in private gardens. It may not be generally known that once the flowering branches are cut the plant does not produce a further full supply of flowers for at least five years.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 53
The plant therefore does not lend itself to the supply of flowers for decoration purposes. Some of the existing azaleas are wild, and others were planted by the Botanical and Forestry Department. It is desired to protect both classes. The Bill is primarily intended to provide powers for the protection of azaleas, but it is made general in form as it may be desirable from time to time to protect other plants also. A draft of the regulations immediately proposed is published with this Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
Protection of Women and Girls
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1897.
The "objects and reasons" state:―"The evils connected with the traffic in girls are so great that fuller powers are desirable for dealing with it. The existing section is insufficient because in cases falling under paragraph (b) of sub-section (1) of section 18 of the Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance it is necessary to prove that the girl left or was taken out of the possession of her father or mother or of some other definite person having the lawful care or charge of her. The impossibility of tracing the relatives, and the stupidity or connivance of the girl, sometimes make this proof unobtainable. In the circumstances it does not seem unreasonable to put the onus on any one found in charge of a girl of showing that he obtained charge of her lawfully. The onus is also thrown on the defence of proving that girl was of full age, or was married, in all cases in which the girl appears to the magistrate to be under 21. In order to prevent prosecution being instituted out of spite or on insufficient grounds the new section requires the consent of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to all prosecutions under this section.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
Criminal Intimidation Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to restrain certain acts of intimidation.
The "objects and reasons" state:―"Cases frequently occur in which threats of violence are used by societies and in-inviduals in order to force the person threatened
to do some act which he is not legally bound to do or to abstain from doing some act which he is legally entitled to do. These threats are sometime carried out, even to the extent of murder. Sometimes the threat is intended to induce a person to do an illegal act, e.g., to join the Triad Society. In other cases it is made in order to build up or retain some exclusive guild privilege which is arbitarily claimed. The law is not strong enough at present to deal with such threats. The main clause of the Bill, clause 2, is based on section 503 of the Indian Penal Code. Clause 3 is intended to cover such cases as that of threats which are made to "third parties," and that of written threats posted up on walls.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a first time.
The Adjournment
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―Gentlemen, the question now arises as to the date to which we shall adjourn the meeting of this Council. It is not possible to take the second reading of the Financial Bill before November 18th, because I do not want to proceed with it in the absence of Mr. Holyoak and Mr. Johnstone. The question is whether we should have a further meeting next week in regard to the other business. I wish to hear the views of the members.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK―Adjourn it for three weeks.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―Do you wish that? HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK―I think so, sir.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―I suggest that as the session will be rather a long one, we had better make the time of meeting 2.30 p.m. instead of noon.
The suggestion appearing to meet with the approval of he members, HIS EXCELLENCY said: Council is adjourned until 2.30 p.m. November 18th.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR―The question of the Finance Committee arises. Do hon. members desire to proceed, or do they want it adjourned for the afternoon or until next week?
The members expressed a desire that the meeting should take place immediately.
54 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding:―
Extra Legal Expenses
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,000 in aid of the vote Crown Solicitor's Office, Other Charges, Extra Legal Expenses.
THE CHAIRMAN―The shortage of staff in the office has necessitated the engagement of outside legal assistance.
The vote was approved.
Road Construction
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $51,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, (16) Roads: (e) Branch road from the Wong Nei Chong Valley to Wanchai Gap.
THE CHAIRMAN―There was more rock cut than anticipated and a number of retaining walls had to be built. The total cost of the road has been just under $150,000.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK―This is the road from the Sikh Temple?
THE CHAIRMAN―Yes.
Approved.
Sanitary Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,000 in aid of the vote Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Night-soil Receptacles.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for the systematic replacing of stock in use now being undertaken.
Approved.
Fire Brigade Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,000 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, B. ― Fire Brigade, Other Charges, Clothing.
THE CHAIRMAN―The original vote was $1,000. There has been an increase in the personnel of the Fire Brigade and a large increase in the cost of material.
Approved.
Grant to a Canton College
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $50,000 in aid of the vote Education, A.― Department of Director of Education, Special Expenditure, Grants: Building Grant for Holy Trinity College, Canton.
THE CHAIRMAN―This, as His Excellency has explained, is for a College which is being built now in Canton and which should prove a valuable feeder to the University. The Government has undertaken to give a total sum of $100,000, subject to the College authorities showing that they have got an equal sum, towards the maintenance of the institution.
Approved.
Police Passages, Etc.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $11,000 in aid of the following votes:―
Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Other Charges:―
Passages and Bonuses in lieu of
passages............................................. $8,000.00 Incidental Expenses............................... 3,000.00
Total.............................. $11,000.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The passage vote was $25,000 and a large increase in cost has necessitated this. The incidental vote was $2,000, but there has been a considerable expenditure in connection with the engagement of new men.
Approved.
Fuel and Light for Fire Brigade
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,800 in aid of the following votes:―
Police and Prison Departments, B.―Fire Brigade, Other Charges:―
Coal, Oil, and Fuel................................. $5,000.00 Incidental Expenses............................... 300.00 Electric Light and Fans ......................... 500.00
Total ................................ $5,800.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is for $6,000 This is due to the rise in prices and more
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 55
perol was needed as there are more engines in use and more drivers in training. The incidental expense vote is $400. Electric light and fans vote is $700. These additions are for the new station at Kowloon Point.
Approved.
Fire Brigade Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $292 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, B.―Fire Brigade, Other Charge, Heavy Furniture.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for the quarters for the new assistant station officer.
Approved.
Purchase of a Motor Cycle
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $400 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Special Expenditure, Motor Cycle.
THE CHAIRMAN―A new cycle has been bought, an old one being given in part payment.
Approved.
Pokfulam Road Improvement
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $15,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Communications, Roads: 16 (i) Pokfulum Road Improvements.
THE CHAIRMAN―It has been decided with the approval of hon. members that the sum voted for the widening of Victoria Road should lapse, as it was of greater importance that the widening of the road from the junction of Pokfulum down to Aberdeen should be done.
Approved.
The Li Hon Mi Appeal Case
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,738 on account of Crown Solicitor's Office, Special Expenditure, Professional charges in connection with an appeal to the Privy Council.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for the Li Hon Mi case. Approved.
Motor Coaches for the Railway
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $171,344 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Motor Coaches.
THE CHAIRMAN ― It is considered highly desirable we should have two motor coaches to run on the railway to meet the demand for more frequent local trams in the afternoon and so on. It does not pay to run a full train with an engine and it is considered that this will prove in the long run, economical.
Approved.
Wharf for Kowloon Railway Terminus
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $30,000 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Reinforced Concrete Wharf at Kowloon Terminus.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is partly are-vote, and partly due to rapid progress during the year. There will be no increase in the total vote.
Approved.
Typhoon Damage to Railway
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $4,500 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Typhoon and Rainstorm Damages.
Approved.
Public Works Votes
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $69,700 in aid of the following votes:―
Public Works Extraordinary, Kowloon:―
Buildings, (51) Latrine adjoining
Market Street...................................... $3,000.00 Communications, (52) Roads, (d)
General Works ................................... 29,450.00 Drainage, (53) (b) General Works 2,750.00 Drainage, (54) Miscellaneous Drainage
Works.................................................. 3,500.00 New Territories, Drainage, (70)
Miscellaneous Drainage Works, (b)
General Works ................................... 7,400.00
56 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Repairs to Sanitary Department Launches, Etc.
New Territories, Communications, Roads:―
Improvement of Road from Cheung
Chau Village to the Pak Tai Temple 1,400.00 Taipo Road, Widening and improving
road between 3rd and 5th miles....... 15,000.00 Road from Sheung Shiu Station to
Cross Roads...................................... 1,800.00 Approach Road, 10-feet wide, to
Sheung Shiu Police Station.............. 400.00 Road from Taipo Road to Taipo
Market Station .................................. 5,000.00
Total.............................. $69,700.00
THE CHAIRMAN―Referring to the first vote the cost is higher than anticipated. The vote was $7,000. On the second item $29,000 is asked for simply because these general works in Kowloon have been pushed on further than was expected; the vote is $50,000. In regard to drainage, this vote of $2,750 is due entirely to extensions in Kowloon. The supplementary vote of $3,500 is also for drainage. For the New Territories $7,400 is asked for; the vote is $10,000. The other votes speak for themselves.
Approved.
Lighting in Kowloon
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,250 in aid of the following votes:―
Public Works Recurrent:―
Kowloon, Lighting, (29) Gas Lighting... $300.00 Kowloon, Lighting, (30) Electric
Lighting................................................ 300.00 New Territories, Buildings, (38)
Improvements to Buildings ............... 650.00
Total .............................. $1,250.00
Approved.
Police Arms
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $854 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Special Expenditure, Arms.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is to complete a bill for a large number of revolvers for the police.
Approved.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $7,000 in aid of the Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Launches, Steam Barges and Lighters, Repairs.
Approved.
Electric Light for Kennedy Town Hospital
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $210 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Miscellaneous, (25) Kennedy Town Hospital, Installing Electric Light.
Approved.
P.W.D. Office Furniture
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $750 in aid of the vote Public Works, Establishment, Other Charges, Furniture.
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is for $500. A number of desks, lockers, etc., are required for new overseers appointed.
Approved.
Expenditure on Juvenile Prison
The Governor recommended the Council to vote of $4,200 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, New Territories, Miscellaneous, (78) Miscellaneous Works.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is in connection with the juvenile prison at Laichikok.
Approved.
Peak Signal Station
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,000 in aid of the vote Harbour Department, H.―Peak Signal Station, Other Charges, Incidental Expenses.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for flags, spars and fittings generally.
Approved.
P.W.D. Incidental Expenses
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,150 in aid of the vote Public Works, Establishment, Other Charges, Incidental Expenses.
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is $1,000, but there have been a large number of candidates medically examined and there have been heavy advertisement charges in connection with getting young men from home.
Approved.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 57
Instruments for the Observatory
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,813 in aid of the following votes:―
Royal Observatory:―
Other Charges, Laboratory Expenses.. $479.67 Special Expenditure, Instruments for
Aerological work.............................. 1,333.33
Total.............................. $1,813.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The first vote is a revote for instruments which should have been delivered last year. The second sum is in respect of balloons and other material for aerological research, the purchase of which has been advised by the Director, who is now at home.
Approved.
Hospital Expenses
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sun of $12,000 in aid of the vote Medical Department, Other Charges, Civil Hospital, Provisions for Patients.
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is for $27,000. There has been a considerable increase in the number of patients; prices of provisions are up and the dietary scale has been increased. Foreign diet costs 32 cents more per day than before.
Approved.
Typhoon Damage at Kowloon
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,300 in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent, Kowloon, Miscellaneous, (34) Typhoon and Rainstorm Danages.
Approved.
The New Hillside Road
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $11,500 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Communications. (16) Roads: (d) Road contouring hillside in Wongneichong and Tai Hang Valleys.
THE CHAIRMAN―This road, as members know, is to open up new sites and form a portion of the road to Deep Water Bay. The orginal vote was $120,000, and the expenditure has been $123,000.
Approved.
Forestry Votes
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,500 in aid of the following votes:―
Botanical and Forestry Department,
Other Charges:―
Forestry New Territories..................... $1,000.00 Brushwood Clearing........................... 500.00
Total............................ $1,500.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote for forestry is $6,500. This addition is necessitated by the appearance of a large number of caterpillars, and extra brushwood clearing has been necessary because the very wet season has caused brushwood to grow up more freely than usual.
Approved.
Boundary Stones
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $800 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Miscellaneous, (36) Boundary Stones.
Approved.
Taitam Gap Road Improvement
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,010 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Communications, (16) Roads: (b) Taitam Gap to Shaukiwan, Improving existing road.
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote was $14,000. This is a little extra.
Approved.
A Police and Prison Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $36,700 in aid of the following votes:―
A.―Police, Other Charges:―
Clothing and Accoutrements................ $15,000.00 Coal for Barracks................................... 7,500.00 Passages and Bonuses........................... 8,000.00 Furniture Repairs and Renewals ......... 1,000.00 Interpretation Fees................................. 200.00 Launches and Boat Repairs.................. 2,000.00
58 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
B.―Fire Brigade, Other Charges―
Clothing.................................................. 1,000.00 Repairs to Engines and Plants.............. 2,000.00
Total.............................. $36,700.00
THE CHAIRMAN―These are all simply due to rising costs and the increase in the establishments.
Approved.
Railway Fuel Costs
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $52,500 in aid of the following votes:―
Kowloon-Canton Railway:―
Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Expenses, Other Charges:―
Coal........................................................ $50,000.00
Fanling Branch Line, Other Charges:
―
Coal........................................................ 2,500.00
Total.............................. $52,500.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is $133,200 for the main line and $4,800 for the Fanling branch. These extra sums are due to increase in prices.
Approved.
Railway Building Repairs
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $500 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway Maintenance of Way, Works and Stations, Other Charges, Repairs of Station Buildings.
Approved.
A Patent Railway Switch
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,500 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Ramapo Switch Stand.
THE CHAIRMAN―A good opportunity occurred to buy 24 of these patent safety locking switches. The immediate cause of the purchase was an accident which occurred in the use of the ordinary switch.
Approved.
For Rat Poison and Traps
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,500 in aid of the vote Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Rat Poison, Rat Traps, etc.
Approved.
For Training Motor-Car Drivers
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,300 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Expenses in connection with training Motor-Car drivers.
THE CHAIRMAN―As a result of correspondence between the Automobile Association and Government on this point we hope to train drivers on wages corresponding with those paid in other ports on the coasts.
Approved.
Secret Service Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $500 in aid of the Imports and Exports Department, Other Charges, Sercret Service.
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is not quite sufficient. There have been small awards for information making this addition necessary.
Approved.
For Training Nullahs
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $16,750 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Drainage, (18) Training Nullahs: (c) General Works.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is in connection with new development, especially at Shaukiwan, where a large scheme is in progress for housing.
Approved.
Railway Stores
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $860 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Traffic Expenses, Other Charges, Stores.
Approved.
A. C.S.O. Vote
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 59
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a
sum of $100,000 in aid of the vote Charitable Services,
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $740 in aid of the following votes:―
Colonial Secretary's Department, Other Charges:―
Electric fans and light...................... $120.00 Incidental expenses......................... 120.00 Medical attendance on, and
medicines for unpassed cadets
at Conton................................... 500.00
Total................................. $740.00
Approved.
Clothing for Railway Men
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $900 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Traffic Expenses, Other Charges, Clothing.
THE CHAIRMAN―Last year's bill for the winter clothing was not presented till January.
Approved.
Prison Votes
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $11,500 in aid of the following votes:―
Prison Department, Other Charges:―
Clothing and shoes for Staff......... $2,300.00 Fuel................................................. 5,000.00 Light............................................... 3,200.00
Famine Relief Fund in North China.
THE CHAIRMAN―His Excellency has already explained the vote.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK―I understand that there is a good deal of distress in South China as well. I do not know whether it has reached the ears of the Government as yet.
THE CHAIRMAN―We, of course, have heard there is distress in South China, but we have no details and there is nothing immediately before us. When the situation clears up we shall no doubt have some particulars.
Approved.
Renewing Steamship Moorings
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,400 in aid of the vote Harbour Master's Department, A.―Harbour Office, Other Charges, Raising and Renewing Moorings of Ocean Steamships.
Approved.
A Million Dollars for the University
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,000,000 on account of Miscellaneous Services, Grant in aid of other Institutions, University of Hongkong.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK―I understand this sum
Materials for remunerative Industries ................................
1,000.00
is invested and only the interest will be spent. THE CHAIRMAN―Nearly $600,000 is required to
Total............................. $11,500.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The fuel is for a new launch which has been provided for the Laichikok service. The vote for clothing and shoes is due to higher prices. The light is due to improved lighting in the gaol in consequence of the recommendations of the Committee which sat recently, and at Laichikok.
Approved.
Relief of Distress in North China
pay off the over-draft at the bank; $70,000 is required to put into the sinking fund against the Loke Yew loan of $500,000. A further sum is required to meet the immediate deficit on the year's working and the balance will be invested. It will be very carefully watched.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK ― The balance will be a very small sum.
THE CHAIRMAN―It will not be large.
Approved.
60 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
A Waterworks' Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,600 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Waterworks, (44) Miscellaneous Waterworks.
Approved.
The Railway Clock
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $8,500 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Turret clock.
THE CHAIRMAN―You will be glad to hear that this clock, which has been on order since the beginning of the war, is expected to arrive in a few days.
Approved.
Furniture for Officers' Quarters
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,500 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Miscellaneous, Furniture for Officers' Quarters.
THE CHAIRMAN―This has been explained by His Excellency.
Approved.
A Police Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,800 in aid of the following votes:―
A.―Police, Other Charges:―
Small stores....................................... $800.00 Transport........................................... 3,000.00
Total................................ $3,800.00
Approved.