November 3, 1906.]
The report is as follows:-
The chairman laid before the Committee a chart of the Harbour, on which were shown possible sites for harbours of refuge.
The following is a statement of these:- (i). Mongkoktsui.-A detached breakwater extending from near Taikoktsui to opposite the south end of Yaumati and enclosing an area of 166 acres.
|
(ii), Cheungshawan.-A detached breakwater extending from near Laichikok to near Sham- shaipo and enclosing an area of 166 acres.
(iii). Stonecutters.-A detached curved breik- water off the east end of Stonecutters' Island extending from near the North-eastern point to near the South-eastern point and ecclosing an area of 107 acres.
(iv). Kellett's Bank. -A breakwater extend- ing northwards from Green Island, curving round and then extending southwards to about opposite its point of commencement and en- closing an area of 136 acres.
(v). Kennedy Town.-A curved breakwater projecting from Belcher's Point and enclosing alternatively an area of 32 or 75 acres according to the length to which it is extended.
After full discussion, it was unanimously agreed to recommend the construction of a harbour of refuge at Mongkoktsui, Mr. Hewett favouring the construction of such a harbour either at Mongkoktsui or Cheungshawau and expressing the opinion that probably the latter site possesses greater advantages thau the former. Mr. Gresson stated that there was a strong feeling among the boating population in favour of another harbour of refuge in the Western District, off Kennedy Town, even at the expense of curtailing the scheme proposed for the north side of the harbour. The Committee, however, considered that, unless the Goverumeut can see their way to undertake both schemes, procedence should be given to the oue at Mongkoktsui.
WORKMEN'S TRAMS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY--Sir, with re- spect to the resolution regarding the running of workmen's cars, one of the items nuder the heading of business, it will be within the remembrance of hon. members that it was proposed to move this resolution last week, but owing to certain difficulties in arriving at the right figures, consideration of the resolution was adjourned until to-day. In the meantime other considerations have arisen which reader it advisable that this resolution should not; be moved to-day. I therefore beg to propose that it be adjourned sine die.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded and the motion was agreed to.
HARBOURS OF REFUGE,
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked the following questions standing in his name:-
1. (a). When does the Government intend to commence work on the construction of a new Harbour of Refuge
(b). Will the Government state the respective situations, areas and estimated cost of construc- tion of the various new Harbours of Refuge which have been suggested at different times? 2. (a). Will the Government state what is the area of the present Harbour of Refuge at Causeway Bay?
(b). Has the Government obtained any, and, if so, what estimates with reference to the dredging and deepening of the shallow portions of such Harbour of Refuge?
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
harbour, it has been estimated that the cost of dredging Causeway Bay harbour to a depth of fathoms (9 feet) at low water would amount to about £100,000 (say, $9 10,000 at the present time).
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
305
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding. The following votes were passed.—
TYPHOON DAMAGES.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) in aid of the vote, Botanical and Forestry Department-other charges, Repairs of Typhoon Damages.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one hundred and eighty dollars ($120) in aid of the vote, Judicial and Legal Departme its, Laad Offic, New Territories-- other charges. Typhoon Expenses.
His EXCELLENCY-I should like the hoo. member who put those questions to make a little clearer his object in putting question 2 b. Does he consider that by dredging the present harbour at Causeway Bay that the harbour would be made more safe for junks and sampans, or does he consider it would provide additional accommodation for them?. I have noticed on many occasions that the typhoon anchorage, | when a typhoon is reported, is completely filled. both in its shallower and deeper portions, and when I visited the anchorage on the nights of the The Governor reco nmended the Council tɔ 25th aud 29th September, which was the occision | vote a sum of One thonsand Dollars ($1,000) in of the last typhoon, I observed that owing to the aid of the vote, Police and Prison Departments, unfortunate disaster of the 18th the anchorage | A.-Police-other charges, Repairs of Typhoon was by no means full, yet all the small craft were Damages. in shallow water right up against the roadway, so that I rather infer that the small craft are, or at any rate think themselves safer in the shallow than in the deep water of the existing anchorage.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of four hundred and eighty_dollars ($480) in aid of the vote, Medical Depart- meats--other charges, for the followingitems -
B-Hospital and Asylums.
CIVIL HOSPITAL.
Light and Fuel,
$300
VICT ORIA HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN -
Washing.
AND CHILDREN.
Total
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
180
$480
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sam of One thousand Dollars ($1,000) in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services- Refunds of Revenue.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK -Sir, I am very sorry I did not come prepared for the question by your Excellency, but I certainly never contemplated any dredging of this harbour of refuge at Canseway Bay to the extent foreshadowed in the statement of the Director of Public Works. I certainly never contemplated it should be dredged so as to give a depth of 13 fathoms all¦ over, but it seemed to me there were places in this
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY. harb ur of refuge that it was advisable to The Governor recommended the Council to depen. I cannot say exactly without further vote a sum of Fifteen thousand Dollars information where these spots wonli be. is quite natural that small craft would go up
It ($150) in aid of the vote, Public Works Ex- traordinary, Communications: -15.-Railway against the wall near the Polo ground because, to Caatou,-Survey and Preliminary Work. being furthest away from the entrance. it would be the smoothest portion of the refuge. But, Sir, supposing the present harbour refuge is kept by itself, it will probably be found that big ships, which are only able to lie in safety some distance from the inner water wall, are compelled to go in the harbour directly a signal is hoisted, because if they do not get their berth they are in danger of being crowded out. This is a question that will have to be considered in connection with whatever further accommodation it is proposed to give at Mongkoksni and elsewhere. TC arther barbours of refuge are provided, there will not merely be this harbour in Causeway Bay for large junks to resort to, but also other harbours available for junks. The question of deepening Causeway Bay, and the extent to which it should be deepened, must necessarily depend very much upon the other harbours of refuge established in Hongkong.
JUDICIAL AND LEGAL.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote sum of One hundred and seventy-five Dollars ($175) in aid of the vote, Judici»l and Legal Departments, D.-Land Registry Office, for New Territories-other charges, Rewards for Services in the Typhoon.
Oa Council resuming the COLONI L SECRETARY reported that at the meeting of the Finance Committee just held, Financial minutes Nos. 84 to 90 had been considered and passed, and mored that they be adopted.
The COLONIAL TREASURER sconded, and the motion was agreed to.
some
THE OB-ERVATURY IN QUIRY. HIS EXCELLENCY.-As it will probably be little tim before wa meet again I think the Council would wish to hear the result of the committee appointed to inquire into whether an earlier warning could have been given of the typhoon of the 18th September. The committee report that reviewing the evidence as a whole, they find that prior to 7.44
a.m.
WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS PENSION FUND. The COLONIAL TREASURER-I beg to move the second reading of the bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund Ordinance, 19). As the bill does not concern any question of principle, I don't pro. pose to detain Council long with the second read ing. The second section is slightly amended but on the 18th September there was no the third contains no modifications beyond the indication of a typhoon approaching Hongkong, fact that officers locally engaged are to be treated and that the warning by the hoisting of the as not being contributors to the fund until they black drum on the morning of the 18th was have been three years in the service. Section given as four is to provide for the return of contributious practically possible. I propose to publish the soon as, in the circumstances, was in cases where the fund has contracted no report in anticipation of laying it on the talle obligation, or has ceased to have such. Section of this Council. I propose also to send the fire provides for giving an officer time to make raport, with all the evide.ca and the exhibits The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied:-up bis mind whether he will contribute. The laid before the committee, to the Secretary of 1. (a). As soon as the necessary plans and schedule to the Ordinance has been repealed State for the Colonies, to whom I shall also estimate can be prepared.
aud
another schedule substituted therefor.send the reports published by the Observatories The fund in Hongkong is in just as good of Siccawei and Manila, and to ask the Secretary condition as the one in Ceylon. Any other of State to obtain for the information of this matter requiring explanation I will give in Government, the observations of the Royal` committee.
Observatory at Greenwich. I propose to await mo-receipt of those observations before making any farther inquiry locally, having in view the difficulty of obtaining locally sufficiently expert members to go into the questions that have arisen in connection with the working of the Observatory.
(b). The situations are more particularly described in the Report of Proceedings of the Public Works Committee, which has been laid on the table. No reliable estimates of the cost of the various schemes can be given without extensive preliminary work, but the following are roughly approximate figures for
purposes of comparison :-
(1). Mongkoktaui....
(2). Cheungshawan
(3). Stonecutters
(4). Kellett's Bank (5). Kennedy Town:-
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded the tion and the bill was read a second time.
Council then went into committee and the bill was dealt with clause by clausa,
$610,00 On resuming, the COLONIAL TREASURER $600,000 reported that the bill had passed through com. $765,000mittee stages without amendment, and said if ..$1,170,000 | members had no objection he would more the
third reading.
166 acres 166 acres.... 107 acres. 136 acres.
Small scheme... 32 acres...... $360,000 Large scheme... 75 acres $600,000 2. (a). Area 5 acres. (b). Basing on a tender, which was at one time received for the dredging of a shoal in the
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded the motion and the bill was read a third time, passed and became law.
His EXCELLENCY-Council stands adjourned till after the meeting of the Finance Committee.
Council stands adjournel sine die.
It is estimated that`su expenditure of $73,00 will be necessary to put the S. P. Hitchcock in sea-worthy condition. She received greater damage during the typhoon than was at first
nticipated.