36 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
21st March, 1929.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held in the Council Chamber, the Colonial Secretary (HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN, C.M.G.) presiding.
PRESENT:―
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN, C.M.G.)
THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER, O.B.E.).
HON. MR. H. T. CREASY, C.B.E. (Director of Public Works).
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, KT., K.C.
HON. SIR SHOU-SON CHOW, KT.
HON. MR. A. C. HYNES.
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON.
HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.
HON. MR. S. W. TS'O, O.B.E., LL.D.
ABSENT:―
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D.
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.
Votes totalling $7,598 (Estimates, 1928) and $45,166 (Estimates, 1929), contained in Message No. 3 from H. E. The Governor, and $2,277 (Estimates, 1928) and $5,000 (Estimates, 1929), contained in Message No. 4 from H. E. The Governor, were considered.
Item 22 (Message No. 4): Public Works, Extraordinary: Hong Kong Buildings, Wireless Broadcasting Studio, to meet the cost of Furniture, Piano, Carpet, &c., $5,000.
THE CHAIRMAN.―I think the general public will be interested to have our broadcasting studio made as effective as possible. Radio fans have told me that the work done at the studio is very good indeed, but that it cannot be really effective until the studio has been properly furnished. That is my excuse for asking you to vote this sum.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER.―I am informed that the work done is extraordinarily good. Shanghai people say it is very good.
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON.―I should like to ask if it is intended to increase the radius of broadcasting locally. I am given to understand that at the present time local broadcasting does not reach Canton effectively.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 37
HON. MR. H. T. CREASY.―I am afraid I do not know what Mr. King is doing in that direction, but the sum required is for improving the studio for local broadcasting.
HON. MR. SHENTON.―I am only asking for information as to whether it is intended to make our broadcasting apparatus more powerful than it is at present. I am told that the present apparatus can only broadcast around the Colony of Hong Kong, and is not sufficiently powerful to even reach Canton.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER. ― Of course, it will improve broadcasting considerably if we get a stronger apparatus.
THE CHAIRMAN.―I am afraid I cannot tell you off hand what it is intended to do, but I will have enquiries made.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER.―I understand the Hong Kong station has been heard as far as Chicago. If you increase the power, that will not affect the studio in the least. The studio is quite as suitable for an apparatus ten times as powerful as the present one.
THE CHAIRMAN.―I will have enquiries made.
All the votes were approved.