November 27, 1895.]
NEW PEAK BOAD.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice of the following question:-With reference to the numerously signed petition to your Excellency, from Peak residents, house owners, and other ratepayers, praying for the construction, with all reasonable speed, of a new road in lien of the present steep and unsuitable one-really the original mountain path, widened and improved to meet the requirements of a traffic ever on the increase, and which has outgrown the road's capacities---leading from Victoria Gap, passing on the south of "Treverbyn" and "Stolzenfels," on a comparatively easy gradient, and ter- minating near the Peak Club or Mount Kellet -will the Government inform the Council whether it is proposed to proceed with this very necessary public work, good road communi- cation being very necessary and earnestly desired by the large resident community; state the probable cost of the road, and if the work is not to be undertaken at prescut, what are the reasons which delay its being carried out? INTENDED PREMISES FOR THE PO LEUNG KUK, Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice of the following question
With reference to the Colonial Secretary's letter No. 1187 of 27th June, 1892, to the Re- gistrar-General, forwarding a precis of cor- respondence re Home for Girls, the following paragraphs appear in the latter-
Five Chinese houses were accordingly erected near St. Stephen's Church in ac- cordance with plans which the Po Leung Kuk Committee had seen, and which, it was understood, they approved..
"The cost of building these houses was $8,000; the land on which they stand was valued at about $12,000.
"There seems to have been some mis- understanding with regard to the rents to be derived from the lower floors, the Po Leung Kuk Committee thinking that they were to go towards the maintenance of the Home, while the Government decided that they were to be paid into the Treasury.
When the buildings had been completed the Po Leung Kuk objected to move into them because they considered them unsuit- able, etc..
and in the report to the Colonial Secretary dated 1st February, 1892, on a petition from the Po Leung Kuk, the Registrar-General says
"I understand that it is the intention of the Government to sell the five houses, the top floors of which were intended for a Home. Their value, together with that of the ground on which they stand, has been estimated by the Surveyor-General at $21,000,$
Will the Government inform the Council
whether these houses, erected at the public
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
Hon C. P. CHATER-Having obtained your Excellency's permission to dispense with the usual notice, I beg to ask (1) What are the reserves of water at the present moment, and will they be sufficient at the present rate of distribution to last to the end of the dry season? (2) In view of the great scarcity of water this year and the consequent incon- venience both to individuals and industrial enterprises, are any steps being taken to increase the supply and prevent a recurrence of a similar scarcity?
may say
His EXCELLENCY-Looking at the importance of each question I am prepared to give an immediate answer. The answer to the first question is that the reserve of water is about | 240,000,000 gallons. In answer to the second
question
that the Government is fully alive to the necessity of securing a supply in addition to that which will be secured by improvements at Tytam, and the Public Works making progress with the necessary surveys Department has already taken steps and is and also with the large calculations of cost. (Applause).
THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH,
His Excellency read his opening speech, which was as follows
Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council. I have much pleasure in meeting you again for the transaction of public business. The programme that I have to present to you is a somewhat lengthy one. The most pressing item in it is, of course, the Appropriation Bill for 1896. From the Draft Estimates, which I now lay on the table and which were circulated more than a fortnight ago, together with the explanatory memoranda, you will perceive that the revenue for 1896 is estimated at $2,288,366. This estimate has been prepared with due caution; and I believe that it will be realised.
The total estimated expenditure, on the other hand, amounts to $2,479,062, of which $197,200 is for Public Works Extraordinary and charge- able to the Loan. After deducting this sum there remains a total estimated expenditure chargeable to current revenue of $2,281,862, or an estimated surplus of revenue over ex- penditure of $6,504.
The chief increases on the expenditure side, as compared with the Estimates for 1895, appear under the following Heads :
1. Public Works Extraordinary charge-
able to revenue
2. Public Works, Recurrent 3. Public Debt
4. Military Expenditure.
5. Sanitary Department.
.$90,130 15,200 16,843 44,215 12,206 5.921 Tai-
6. Medical Departments.. The first item includes $30,000 towards the pingshan Improvement Scheme, $15,000 for
401
be set the additional revenue derived from the
Medical Department is accounted for by the new market and depôts. The increase in the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health, who is borne on the medical establishment.
penditure various economies have been effected As a compensation for this additional ex- in other directions, notably in the Colonial Secretary's Office, the Registrar-General's De- partment, the Magistracy, the Police, the Fire Brigade, and under Miscellaneous Services. Numerous offices have still to be dealt with on Committee. the lines recommended by the Retrenchment
In addition to the reduction of establishments. which has already been effected, the salaries of the Treasury staff have been re-adjusted in such a manner as to secure a saving of $2,246. Office, Stamp Office, and the Supreme Court Reductions have also been made in the Post Office.
From this statement you will gather that no ment has been lost, and you may rely on me to favourable opportunity for effecting retrench- curtail expenditure, so far as is practicable, as occasion offers in the future.
And now, gentlemen having dealt with the Appropriation Bill for 1896, I have to ask you to vote the sum required to defray the Charges of the coming year. If there are any items in regard to which further information is desired, it will be forthcoming in Finance Committee or when the Council is in Committee on the Bill.
I will now make a few general remarks on the condition of the colony. When I addressed you on a similar occasion last year, it was. my painful duty to refer to a dismal succession of reverses and misfortunes. We were then only just recovering from the shock of a great disaster, and were but beginning to recognize the absolute necessity of a large measure of sanitary reform. To-day I have to announce to you a great improvement in these matters. The resumption. of Taipingshan was perhaps one of the largest works ever undertaken by the Government of this colony. Thanks to the efficiency and tact of the Board of Arbitrators all claims arising under that head have been amicably and speedily settled, the Crown has entered into possession, and the "Improvement Scheme," approved by this Council and by the Secretary of State, is being carried into effect. As I anticipated, the cost of resumption has amounted to $821,000 Of this sum $386,000 has been defrayed from balances in hand, and the remainder has been bor- rowed from Loan and other Government monies in the custody of the Crown Agents, interest being paid at the same rate as the money would earn by temporary investments at home. This course has been considered more economical than,
expense, were built upon inland lot No. 1,128 Public Latrines, $17,000 for a new Isolation Hos. and therefore preferableļto, raising a further loan
if so,
have they been sold by private contract, the name of the buyer, and at what price? In connection with the sale, if there has been one, will the Government lay upon the table a copy of the correspondence which has passed between the Government and the Colonial Office on the subject?
THE LICENSING OF PRIVATE VEHICLES,
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice of the following question :-Will the Government lay upon the table a statement of the number of convictions, the amount of fines imposed and paid, in respect of offences against Ordinance No. 13 of 1895, from the date it came into force until the end of last week, and a copy of the correspondence which has passed between the home anthorities and the Colonial Govern ment in connection with the Bill, and also inform the Council whether it has yet received the sanction of the Imperial Government, and if not, atate the cause of delay ?
PLAGUE REWARDS.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice of the following question Will the Government lay upon the table a copy of the reports or letters to the Government from the sub-Committee appointed by the General Committee elected at the public meeting held at the City Hall on 27th September, 1894, to consider and report upon the question of recognition of services rendered during the suppression of the plague last year, and a copy of all the correspondence which has passed between the Government and the home authorities in connection therewith.
pital, a very urgent requirement, $10,000 towards the extension of the Public Recreation Ground at Happy Valley, and certain sums for the con- struction and extension of roads at Kowloon. The increase under the second head is partly on account of sewerage works, the extension of the system involving an additional cost for upkeep, Kowloon chargeable to Water Account. and partly for maintenance of waterworks at
The increase on account of Public Debt is
Fund, which commences in October next. due to the contribution to the New Sinking
As regards the Military Expenditure the annual contribution has been calculated at 174 exclusive of premia on Land Sales. There is per cent. of the estimated revenue for 1896, also provided a sum of $10,000 for Services" during the year. I am in possession "Barrack of the views of the Unofficial Members on this subject, and they are receiving the attention of the Imperial Government. As the matter is still sub judice, I would ask you, gentlemen, to vote the sum provified in the Estimates sub- ject to such further representatious as you may hereafter have to make, and to such modifica- tions as may hereafter be approved.
The large increase in tLa cost of the Sanitary Department appears alarming at first sight, but admits of easy explanation. It is on ac- count of the additional staff required for the New Central Market and Sleep and Pig depôts as well as for the cost of lighting the former ($7,000), for which no provision was made in the Estimates of 1895. Against this increase must
posing such an arrangement to have been or to an overdraft on the local Banks, sup-
practicable.
As regards the liquidation of the outstand- ing balance of $435 000 on Taipingshan account, I am glad to state that the receipts up to datelare exceedingly satisfactory. The revenue for 1895 will be about $2,363,000 and the expenditure about $2,143,000, so that I have reason to expect a surplus of revenue over expenditure at the end of the present year of some $220,000. If this forecast is correct, there will be a pro tanto reduction of our in- debtedness, and the year 1896 should begin with a debit balance on this account of $215,000 only.
In consequence of the improvement of Tai-
ready for sale in the course of next year, and pingshan a large area of land will probably be with an expanding revenue it is to be hoped that the debit balance will disappear at the end of 1896. Then, again, 1897 should witness extensive land sales in Taipingshan, and when the account is finally closed, the result will, in all probability, be more than gratifying. As regards the expenditure on this work, the total cost of which is estimated at $83,000, a sum of $30,000 has been provided in the estimates for 1896, and you will be asked to vote the balance when the supply bill for 1897 comes before you. I have now, gentlemen, put briefly before you the financial position of the colony, and having regard to all the circumstances you will doubt- less agree with me in thinking that the state of affairs is both satisfactory and hopeful.
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