HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 55
August 2nd, 1928.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN, C.M.G.).
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR-GENERAL C. C. LUARD, C.B., C.M.G.).
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, C.M.G., C.B.E.).
THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER, O.B.E.).
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL (HON. SIR HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK, KT., K.C.). HON. MR. H. T. CREASY, C.B.E. (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE, C.M.G. (Captain Superintendent of Police).
HON. MR. R. A. C. NORTH (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D.
HON. MR. A. C. HYNES.
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.
HON. MR. B. D. F. BEITH.
MR. H. R. BUTTERS (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HON. SIR SHOU-SON CHOW.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.
WATER SHORTAGE.
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT said―Honourable Members of the Legislative Council,―The Government is greatly concerned at the hardships caused by the water shortage now being experienced by the citizens of Victoria, especially in the western end of the City, which have been pressed on my attention by the Honourable the Second Chinese Member. This shortage is caused by an increase in consumption, coupled with a peculiarly uneven distribution of an otherwise plentiful rainfall, which has resulted in Pokfulam reservoir catchment receiving only about half the rainfall received by the Tytam catchment areas this year. It is the Pokfulam reservoir on which the Government depends to supplement the otherwise inadequate supply of water from Tytam to the western end of the City, and this reservoir is now seriously depleted. The supply
56 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
from Tytam is governed by a conduit designed to carry seven million gallons a day, through which the engineers are now passing eight million gallons a day, and every possible step is being taken to mitigate the admitted hardships of the poorer classes. These steps include the opening of eleven new fountains, which are as many as the engineers consider practicable, and the patrolling of the restricted areas by waterworks overseers to ascertain, and so far as possible mitigate, any exceptional hardships.
The introduction of restriction during the hottest of the hot weather is, not unnaturally, giving rise to questions as to the policy of the Government in connection with the increase of the water supply. As Honourable Members are no doubt aware, the question is one which His Excellency Sir Cecil Clementi took up within a few days of his return to the Colony as Governor. A careful survey of the situation convinced the Governor that the proper course for this Colony to pursue as regards the water supply on the Island was first to use all the available resources on Hong Kong Island itself. These resources were exhaustively examined on Sir Cecil's instructions, and the Aberdeen water supply scheme was considered to afford the best possible improvement of the Island's water supply. The scheme was submitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies with the least possible delay, and has received his provisional approval.
When, however, this scheme was considered by the Public Works Committee of this Council it was found that the scheme did not meet with full approval. I have now referred the views of the Committee by telegraph to the Secretary of State, and am awaiting his reply before seeking the approval of this Council for the financial provision which will be necessary to carry out such scheme as may be approved. The matter will be brought before the Council at the earliest possible date.
PAPERS.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the following papers:―
Rescission of the Order declaring Bangkok an infected place on July 17th, 1928.
Regulation under section 95 of the Liquors Consolidation Ordinance, 1911, on July 19th, 1928.
Order under section 2 of the Crown Fees Ordinance, 1870, on July 19th, 1928.
Air Navigation (Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories) Order, 1927, on December 20th, 1927.
The International Air Navigation Convention, 1919, on October 13th, 1919. The Medical Report for the year 1927.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 57
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the report of the Finance Committee No. 8 of July 12th, 1928, and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and this was agreed to.
KAI TAK AERODROME.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said―Sir, the explanation of the resolution on the agenda paper dealing with the allocation of further funds for the construction of the Kai Tak Aerodrome is best begun by a reference to your own speech in this Council in September, 1927. Hansard of that year, page 69, shows that the total estimated cost of the Aerodrome was then $2,378,000 of which it was expected that the Imperial Government would pay three quarters, that is $1,783,500. The cost to the Colony of Kai Tak under these circumstances would have been $594,500.
The Imperial Government subscription towards Kai Tak has, however, been fixed at £100,000―say $1,000,000―leaving the Colony to find a further $783,500 on this account. Further again, the estimate for the completion of the work and for the necessary resumptions has been increased by a total of $151,250 which, therefore, makes the total to be found by the Colony for Kai Tak $1,529,250. One million from the Authorised Loan of $5,000,000 was set apart for expenditure for Kai Tak and for Harbour dredging, $602,700 being estimated as required for Harbour dredging. The total to be expended on Harbour dredging and the formation of Kai Tak is now:―
Harbour dredging.........................................$ 602,700
Kai Tak.......................................................... 2,529,250
Total.....................................................$ 3,131,950
Provided by Imperial Government ............. 1,000,000
$ 2,131,950
From Loan .................................................... 1,000,000
leaving...........................................................$ 1,131,950
still to be found by the Colony.
$500,000 of the Authorised Loan of $5,000,000 was left unallocated, and it is for the transfer of this sum to the Kai Tak account to enable the work to continue that your authority is now requested.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY then moved the following resolution:―
Whereas by the provisions of section 3 of the Public Works Loan Ordinance, 1927, it is (inter alia) provided that the Governor may direct that any sums which may not be required for a purpose specified in the Schedule may be appropriated and applied to any
58 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
other purpose therein specified subject to such transfer of money from one item of the Schedule to any other item thereof being approved by a resolution of the Legislative Council and by the Secretary of State.
And whereas His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government has directed that the sum of $500,000 allocated to item No. 3 of the Schedule, other public works, be appropriated and applied to item No. 2 of the Schedule, aerodrome and harbour development.
Now it is hereby resolved that the approval of the Legislative Council shall be and is hereby given to the transfer of the sum of $500,000 from item No. 3 to item No. 2 of the Schedule.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the resolution was passed. COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1928.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend further the Companies Ordinance, 1911."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. No amendment was made in Committee and upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSION (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 1928.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Ordinance, 1908."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. No amendment was made in Committee and upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
Council adjourned sine die.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 59
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presided.
Items, totalling $147,505, contained in message No. 9 from H.E. The Officer Administering the Government, were considered. All the items were approved.
Respecting Item 75:―Public Works, Extraordinary:―
Wireless Telegraphy,―Expenditure on Buildings and Plant to effect necessary improvements $91,400
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES asked what increased revenue was expected from wireless messages to meet the proposed increased expenditure.
THE CHAIRMAN―It is impossible to forecast, but the revenue from wireless is growing very rapidly.
Item No. 81:―Colonial Secretary's Office:―Special Expenditure, provision of steel filing cabinets $15,000
HON. MR. A. C. HYNES―Are these filing cabinets of British manufacture? THE CHAIRMAN―Yes.
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES―I have seen the old cabinets and I certainly agree that new ones are necessary.