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afternoon on board a ship in the harbour we are in the position of having nothing to cope with it. The old float has only one boiler and one set of engines. During an intermittent sup- ply it is kept on this side of the harbour under baked fires, but you must draw the fires smetimes to clean the tubes and boilers. You cannot keep a vessel ander banked fires inde- finitely. The new floater would be suplied with two boilers and two sets of engines to have her always ready at a moment's notice, without laying her up at all. Lastly, Sir, since the old floater was bought, the tonnage of vessels in this harbour has increased so enormously that the existing float is not able to cope with a fire on board these ships. When a fire occurs on board * ship it is gen rally a question of filing her hold with sea water, and it is a question how many thousand gallons per minute you on pamp into the vessel. The old engine could never cope with 5000 ton vessels such as we now have in the harbour. It is eminently desirable that a much more powerful engine should be purchased to deal with these big ships. The hon. member referred to the Tytam Tak scheme and insanitary areas, and regretted the omission of the provision of funds in the estimates for the current year. The Government also, Sir, regrets the omission, but it had only one alternative, or at least, three alternatives. They could have raised a loan for works; increased taxation for works: or they could let them stand over. I think that the Government adopted a wise course in postpon ing these works for one year and seeing what the new year will bring them. The hon. member complained that the estimates for railway cus; ruction was not included in the estimates, but I would remind him that the railway is being built out of loan, and is a tr nsaction entirely of loan. It is true there is one item included in the estimates-interest on the advances made for this railway from the loan to the Viceroy of Wuchang It was a question whether the charge of that interest should not more properly tall on the railway fund, and if it had been so decided there would have been no mention at all in the estimates of any railway expenditure.
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The Government, 8 r, when I had the honour of occupying the chair your Excellency now occupies, laid on the table full information of the estimated expendi- ture on the railway for the curre t year, and took a vote for that expenditure, and the Government will, before the end of the year, similarly deal with the expenditure for next year, and give the fullest possibe information any member wishes on the whole subject. The hon member who spoke second, Sir, referred to the Tyt m Tuk second section as an extravagant scheme, and expressed the opinion that, if we r sorted to street fountains for the water sup, ly of both the native and European community, the provision for addi- tional storage for water would not be necessary. Sir, I would remind him that this question was threshed out som- few years ago, and it was decided, principally on sanitary grounde, and also for the reason that the taps had been in the houses since completion of the distribution of the water throughtout the ity of Victoria: that it would be better to leave them there and deal with the subject of economising the water by means of the rider main system. The de is on having been arrived at, Sir, and the rider main system introduced, the Gov ramen! is not prepared to reopen that question. I beg to assure the hon. member that the scheme be refers to is by no means au extravagant one. aud I think if be were to pay a
visit to the director of Public Works, hat gentle. man would very soon convince him of its necessity in the near future. Sir, the hon. member nominated by the Chamber of Com- merce, adverted to other questions that I my call high local and higher imperial policy, such as the recent two loans and the opium question. These, Sir, I will leave in your more experienced hands. I am also sure your Excellency would rather explain the matter of the closing of the Tientsin Post Ofor than that I should do so.
His EXCELLENCY - In the question of loans and taxation which has been raised by two mem. bers on my right, I was glad to see that both members who spoke on that question agree with me in principle, and I think brought cogent ra.. 5008 to bear in support of my argument. It is not a convenient time in which the Colony
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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[October 5, 1007. should embark on any further raising of loans. | and I hope to be able to devise some scheme for The only alternatives we have, then, are either their gradual construction, as is done largely in increased economy or increased taxation. I Africa. The method there is to construct a think,as I said when I spoke at our last meeting, whole section partially, and year by year go on that in the matter of economy we have done the improving until it becomes a road. I think atmost we can in this year's estimates in the myself that that is the more useful way of scheme of works which we have put forward for immediately gaining the practical utility we the current year, and at present we have sire for traffic, With regard to the uot reached 8 point at which it is Office at Tientsin, hon. members will remember necessary to cut down our permanent establi h- that this Government undertook on ments with a too drastic hand There remains very definita pledge to open
a post office therefore, only the qustion of further taxation. at Tientsin for one year, which would end That, as I said before, will receive my most on the 1st October this year. We have found careful consideration during the coming year. that the cost to this Government has been l'he hon. member on my left gave us some very very considerable. It has been run at a den l striking figures on taxation and rates at home, loss, and this was not anticipated at the time, and I think if any hon. member will take For the first few months the working promised the trouble to work out the enormous in- to be a success, and in consequence of various cidence of taxation he will find it bears a causes which I described when last speaking, strikingly small proportion to what the rate- we anticipate a very much greater loss next payer at home has to pay. The hon, member year on Postal gencies in China, and more at the end of the table frankly supported some especially those towards the north, as we are form of increased taxation if any work of likely to see the Siberian route opened. The great magnitude or great urgency were called Tientsin agency shows a deficit of $700 or for, or if our revenue, I presume he would $8000. In these circumstances I did not feel also say, feil below the margin. Gentlemen, I justified in calling upon the ratepayers of this welcome that communication from the un- Colony to pay what, after all is for the conven- fficial members. I a in very cordial agree.ience of the mercantile community at Tientsin. ment with what the hoa, m-mber at the end of At the same time I said that, if they were the table said with regard to the typhoon prepared to meet the deficit, we shall be very shelter. There seems to me to have been a
glad to continue to run the Post Office provided little misunderstanding on the subject. The this Colony is not involved in any deficit for its Government does not say that the scheme under maintenance. The question is still under dis consideration will cost $1,400,000. Un the con- cussion, and the Chamber of Commerce made an Irary, was intended to convey that the amount offer to pay half the deficit, so I h pe a matter put forward on the estimate revised by the will presently be arrang d in which we shall Government was somewhere nearer the original continue to accept the onus of running the estimate. The ina guration of the work, which Post Office, but I can assure ratepayers they may possibly be extended in o a larger and more will not have to pay for the convenience of the effective shelter is contemplated. The delay merchants of Tientsin. I have nothing of arising in this matter is, I think, very regret-
much moment to Eay од the question table. At this time last year my predecessor of opium, but I fully endorse the hop, member's) pledged the Government to undertake the work view that we as part of the British nation immediately without delay. A year has gone by should support any genuine effort on the part and nothing has been done- I mean to say doue of China to limit her production, and to limit in actually beginning the work.
her consumption of opium. I am at the same is that unexpected difficulties heave been time fully alive to the necessity to this Colony found in making the plans for it and deciding of the opium trade, and shall oppose any con- where the shelter should be. I trust that re cession not based on reciprocity (applause). I duced estimates will be able to be considered think we have our own interests to guard in the without any unnecessary delay whatever (ap. matter, and until we are convinced that China plause) One other point in has connection is is genuine in her efforts in so far as she will, that the boo, member said the Government only go, we should not lag behind. I think myself
it is proposed to spen. $25,00. on the scheme next
our duty not to go beyond that year. He depreca ed any recourse to the re- point. In the matter of subsidiary con iage I serve of the Colony, and said it was the last am glad to see the unofficial members generally resource to which the Government should be support the action which the Government has driven. The reserves have accumulated in what already taken. I concur with you that the real way. They are the savings from year to year solution is carrying out Article 2 f the Mackay of works projected ad never fully carried out, or unexpected windfalls som times accruing from rising exchange; at other times payments that have talien from probate duties or have been acquired in various ways of that kiud. I think that reserve accumulated trom +uch sources may be looked upon 28 current revenue rather than in the nature of a loan or of & reserve that bas accumulated in such 8 way that it should not be touched by the Colony. However, hon. membs wil have sufficient opportunity of discussing the question later if the project should be put before them, and I propose that you should vote from the reserves sufficient to meet the extra expense required for the typhoon shelter. Τι may also be possible during the course of the year, if we find the Colony is working within the revenue, to pass a vote for the approval of a small sum from the current revenue to increase the initial sum of £25,000 which we will pass in the estimates. I also agree fully with the remarks made by the hon. member at the end of the table that with a falling revenue it would be better to devote our funds to the urgent needs of the community Pither than on splendour on public works. His criticism
was
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The reason
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reaty. I trust the committee appointed will arrive at some solution, and at any rate formu. late some useful suggestions. I am myself very strongly impressed with the view the bon. member for the Chamber of Commerce expressed that we are art and pracel of the Chinese Empire, and that any action we take with regard to our coinage must be governed by that central fact.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved that the Bill be read a second time and referred to the Finance Committee.
1 be ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The following bills-Au ordinance to provide for the appointment of public notaries, An Ordinance te prevent tue Publication of Seditious Matter and Ordidance to amend the Local Communities Ordinance were read a send time.
/ The Council was adjourned till next Thurs-
day.
Full reports of the discussions on these bills will appear in our next issue,
At the annual meeting of the Hongkong Hockey Club held on Occ. 1st in the Cricke Clab pavilion-Mr. J. Barton in the chair-tht anno i report was adopted, the Chairman come menting with pleasure on the fact that they had a credit balance in both the club and
directed towards some public offices now under construction, ang was hardly & fair
one. These works were projected many years ago-six have heard-and at a time when the Colony felt in a position to spend "uch more its public works, rather more than it can to-day challenge cup funds. Mr. T. C. Gray_was if we had to begin any similar works with a elected secretary and treasurer and the follow- falling revenue. In the matter of roads too, ing were appointed to the Committee. Lieut. criticism of some sort was made. I have al eady atterthwaite, Moura. L. G. Bird, E. F. C. been in consultation with the Director of Public Master, A. F. B. Livesey, and T. M. Knott. Works-regarding roads in the New Territories ' Mr, L. G. Bird was elected Captain.
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