HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 219
13th December, 1934.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held in the Council Chamber, the Colonial Secretary (Hon. Sir Thomas Southorn, K.B.E., C.M.G.) presiding.
ALSO PRESENT:―
THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. E. TAYLOR).
HON. MR. R. M. HENDERSON, (Director of Public Works).
HON. SIR WILLIAM SHENTON, KT.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D.
HON. MR. S. W. TS'O, O.B.E., LL.D.
HON. MR. T. N. CHAU.
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.
HON. MR. S. H. DODWELL.
MR. R. A. C. NORTH (Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.
Votes totalling $85,064, contained in Message No. 18 from H.E. the Governor, were considered.
Item 127.―18, Magistracy, Hong Kong:―1, Personal Emoluments $7,693.00.
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.―I would like to ask a question with regard to this item. I see there is a difference in the cost of the Hong Kong and Kowloon totals and would like to know how this increase comes about. Is it by reason of the fact that Cadet Officers have acted as First Clerks in place of members of the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff?
220 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CHAIRMAN.―It is mostly due to the necessity of providing salaries for those officers under the actual department in which they are working. If these salaries had been shown under general heads I think there would have been no increase at all, but owing to the transfer of officers you provide for a man's salary under one head and if he is transferred to another department you then have to provide his salary under that new department and the salary under the old one is allowed to relapse. As far as I know there is practically no new money at all. It is merely a result of transferring an officer from one post to another.
HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.―I was wondering whether it was the custom to appoint Cadet Officers as Magistrates' Clerks. Or is it a post set aside for a Cadet Officer?
THE CHAIRMAN.―If we can spare a man we like to have a Cadet Officer in the post as they are able to act as Magistrates as well. It is much more satisfactory to the general public that there should be a Cadet Officer in the post of Magistrate's Clerk especially in regard to the Senior Magistracy on this side. Occasionally we cannot get a spare Cadet Officer and then we have to make arrangements for a member of the Senior Clerical and Accounting Staff to fill the post.
Item 135.―34, Public Works Extraordinary:―Hong Kong Communications. 24― Widening of Magazine Cap Road between May Road and Stubbs Road $22,132.00.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.―How soon will this road be open for use by traffic? It is stated here that the widening of the road will be finished, except for surfacing by the end of the year.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―The Engineer in charge hopes to be finished at the end of the year, but there is some doubt about it. We can, however, definitely promise that it will be opened by the middle of January.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.―I understand this road will only be used by motor cars and not for trucks.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―That is a matter for the Police Department. THE CHAIRMAN.―I thought that had been settled?
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―That is the suggestion as far as I know.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.―And that trucks taking material for new sites only will be allowed to use it.
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THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―That has been suggested and I think it will be adopted. Mr. King is dealing with the matter now and also with the question of the nasty corner at the top. I understand that the corner question will be solved by placing a traffic light or policeman there.
THE CHAIRMAN.―The Committee have already sanctioned a special vote for lights at the top.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.―It is a nasty corner there, at the point where the Customs House stands.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―It is a nasty corner but we are swinging it well to the left so as to get a good view up the road. Once it is finished it will be better than it appears to be now.
All the votes were approved.