Page
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE SIR,
COUNCIL.
COMMANDING
Hon. Mr. H. T. Caisy (Director of
Public Works).
Hon. Mr. A. E. Woop (Secretary for
Chinese Affairs). Hon. Mr. E. D. C. WOLFE (Captain
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, MARCH 7TH, 1924.
Cooke St. "Houses Nos. 37, 39, 41, 43, 43, 47, 40, 51, 53, 53, 57, 30, 41, 63, 68, 67, 60, 71, 73.73.
1924.
in
matter of
N
The ban. member referred to the fact Next. Sir, I should like to say a lew words upon the renewal of the Rents that according to a very curious and re- Ordinance, because that question natu- consite method, he believed the popula rally arises in connection with any amend- tion of this Colony to be about 1.300,000. A. meeting of the Hongkong LegislativeWe the undersigned have taken the meats to the Rents Bill. At the last am not absolutely satisfied with the A motion that I should move that the bat in any case it does not mean neces Council was held in the Council Clumber herty in addressing you on a subject meeting of the Caheil I gave notice of data on which that conclusion was based
which is of the utmost importance to out- selves and which we trust is not wholly Bill bo continued for another year. That sarily that there has been a very great yesterday. There were present: ---
the Census figures of became unnecessary; and I am not going increase
Officials arrived no the corelu- H1 EXCELLENTY THE GOVERNOR (Sir without interest to you.
We are the necapunts of the above to pursue it, on receiving Your Exce 1921. REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS (K.C.M.G.).
lency's assurance that it will be brought sion that the population of the Colony HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICES houses and did receive three months'
THE TROOPs (Major natice to quit from our landlords, Messrs. forward later as a Government motion.in certain respects was about 1,300,000, But I should like to say that in my think it possible that at the time of Win Lip & Co. and others, in order to General Sir Jous FoWLER, K.C.M.Glow these houses to be reconstructed, opinion, even in Jane, 103, we shall not the Census the real facts were some C.B.. D.S.O.).
be at the end of our present housing where in between. As the hon, member troubles. I understand that the Govern rightly said, a great deal depends upon Hon. Sir CLACD Sevaks, K.BE.. C.M.G. This notice expired at the end of January
(Colonial Secretary).
It appears that the motive of our landment has receptly arrived at the com- the restormion of order in Canton, and Hon. Mr. J. H. K, K... CBBds in doing this act is in Eveg putation thas the present number of in as he also said. the present circum.
(Attorney-General). Hon. Mr. Mcl. Messen. O.B.E. (Coloniali tenants to give him a gulstantial increase habitants of this Colony is some 1,300,000 stances do not seem to indicats that the
of rent, and we are given to understand people. Bearing in mind the "fact that restoration of onder is n Treasurer).
that. if we are willing to grant him and the Census for 1921 gaye us a population immineney, increase of about 30 per fat per of 630,000, and then allowing for the In regard to an increase in the Public fnet that that was considered to be under Works stall I must leave this to the month he will allow us to remain in possession or otherwise the houses are to estimated and that 753,183 was nearer the Director of the Public Works Depart be reconstructed.
mark, the population of the Colony has ment. who will more or less be able to increased by over 500,000 people Inder deal with it. these circumstances, ir, coupled with the continued disturbances in the neigh bouring provinces of China. I think it must be realised that anything like poraal state of affairs as regards the renta problem is a considerable distanco been the customs of the Government, at every renewal of the Rents Ordince which has taken place since the miginal Rents Ordinance was passed, to expressi the hope that that would be the very last time it would be necessary to renew the Rents Ordinance.. I am going to say that, for my own part, I cannot see the smallest prespect of conditions returning to the normal for a considerable period of years. Even if we can imagine-by a big stretch of the imagination-that affairs in Canton would calm down and Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: become normal-even then the disturb-any difficulty? Have some men failed to anges of the past several years in the come? neighbouring provinces are such as to render it difficult to restore confidence there for a good many years to come.
Superintendent of Police)."
Hon. Mr. H. F. Pottock, K.C.
Hon Mr. P. H. HOLYOK
Hon. Mr. A. . Laxa.
Han, Mr. A. I Lown.
Hon. Mr. B. II. Korowy.
Han, M. RAE SI KL.
We being mostly workmen with fami- lies, and shopmen with limited capital, find it impossible to grant this exorbitant increase, sperially as we are now pass ing through
very hard times, and we being powerless, have either to submit to this exorbitant demand and live a shift out into the streets, for the house shortage
is still very acate over here for it is impossible to find new accommnoda tion for we number sa all over one thou- sand souls,
Mr. 6. M. FLETE, CM.G, C.B.F. and to nuth existence in doing so, aroff. I mention these facts because it has
(Cwek of Cuneils).
NEW MENERE,
The Hon. Mr. Car Sir Ki mule the required declaration and took his sent on theuncil, wige the Hou Mr. Chow Hou Son, et, leave.
MINUTES.
The minases of the last meeting were approved and signed.
PAPLES,
The Colonial Secretary, by command of INE. The Governor laid the table the following 'rapers :—
Ordundur section of the Post Offer Ordinance. 1900, Ordinance No. 6 of 1900.
Jurors List for 121. (Session
No..
་
FINANCE,
Paper
The COLONIAL SECRETARY. by command of H.E. The Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes (Nos. 13 to 18) and moved that they be referred to the Finance "Committee.
+
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of "ILE. The "Governor, then moved that the Report of Finance Committee (No. 2) be adopted.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to
MILITARY LANDS.
殍
The above houses which are three storeys high are not old buildings and are still in a wood and habitable condition, and the only reason which our landlords have in reconstructing these buildings are those, stared shave.
We lately applied to the Secretary for Chinese Affairs to help us in this matter but he told us that he was powerless to help us, and we, knowing you are the poor man's friend in these kinds of affairs, have as a last resort addressed this to you in the hope that you will take this matter up with the Governinent and obtain redress" with and cause our landlords to cancel his evil intentions of pulling down these buildings, and it will be the means of keeping a shelter over the herds of one thousand souls in all, and we could then work and live in peace without being in continual dread of having to shift into the streets.
Trusting most earnestly you will use your goul offices to intercede for us in this matter, and for which you will have the everlasting gratitude of us and our families, and anxiously waiting in antici- nation. We have the honour to he, sir,
Fong most obedient servants.
I
Hon. M. KOTEWALL: The hon. senior
I
The Diron or PELIC WORKS: At the present time several officers are on
I should like, if their way out. We have received notice that they are to conie. may, to submit a statement on the point of staff. I think we had four additional We have indented' for men, but men since we were first asked to obtain men. there has been considerable dificulty in obtaining them.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: What branch f the P.W.D. are these men for!
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC Wonks: Two for the Surveyors Department are and I think I am correct in saving one will be relieved to go to the Building Ordinance Department, when an addi- tional man for the Architectural Depart ment arrives.
Has there been
The DIRECTOR OF PEDLIC WORKS: Noti in the two departments you mention; in the Architectural Department, yes.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: What was the reason?
The DinECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: They did not give the reason. They sent a telegram to say that the man bad with- drawn.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR: I think the ex- planation is that men were not available. owing to interruption in training during the war.
4
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the Council go into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and In Committee, the Hon. Mr. POLLOCK the motion was agreed too. moved to amend clause 3 by inserting in
'structural' the ninth line the word before the word "condition.” for reasons be had given in the Council.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Becoaded and the motion was agreed to.
THE ADJOUNRMENT. H.E. THE GOVERSON: The Council will
adjourn till this day week at 2.30 p.m.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
In connection, Sir, with the abnormal demand for buildings in this Colony," would like to enquire of the Director of 'ublic Works what steps have been taken, and whether steps have proved effective, for carrying out certain recommendations made by the Commissioners on the Hous- ing Question with regard to the increase of staff in the Survey department and in the Building Ordinance department of the Public Works Department. My fellow Commissioners and I were very much sur prised by the fact that both of these departments are seriously andermanned, and we should like some assurance, that adequate steps are being taken to remedy I therefore take this op. A number of Chinese signatures fol this defect. tow: That letter was received by me portunity of asking whether steps have been taken to carry out the recomenda- on Tuesday morning last, and I at once
tions contained in paragraph co of the
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS second- took steps to get into communication Commissioners Report, and to refer to with Mr. Wright, of the Building Ordin- the recommendation that the Governmented and the amendment was agreed to.
should forthwith cadeavour to engage On Council resuding the ATTORNEY. azce Office, for the purpose of ascerthe services of a temporary engineering GENERAL moved the third reading of the
and survering staff from the local naval Bill. taining whether these houses were
and military force. I think, Sir, that sul in good, and habitable. con-
is all I have to say on the second read H.E. THE GOVERNursaid the resolution dition. Fascertained from Mr. Wrighting the Bill. approving the acceptance of the award that although these houses were of a of Sir John Oakley in respect of certain good typ--they were buildt immediately military lands, which stood on the agenda, before the passing of the Building Ordin would not be proceeded with at this meet-ance of 1900-they were structurally per ing.
fectly sound and are capable of being HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANK inhabited for a number of years to come, apart from extraordinary accidents. In
H.E. THE GOVERNOR: I do not grudge The Hon. ATTORNEY-GENERAL, moved the regard to this case the plans for recon- first reading of a Bill intituled An Ordinstruction were sent in some time ago, Mr. Pollock the satisfaction of thinking ance to amend further the Hongkong and and the usual certificates under the pre- he had converted Government to his Shanghai Bank Ordinance, 1866. He sent law have been given, which state saw, but I am bound to point out that said: The object of this Bill is to in only that new houses are to be recon- the decisión arrived at in: June last year crease the limit of the ordinary note structed under the authority of the new was not a Government decision, but my own personal view which appareatly had issue from 20 million dollars to 20 million Ordinance of 1923. dollars. Under this Bill there will be no
I bring this case before the notice of weight in the Council with the official reduction in the amount of security held Your Excellency in order to ask whether majority I was careful to say at the by the Bank against the note issue. As the Government cannot do something in time that I left the matter to the ut a matter of fact the Bank is assuming this matter. A somewhat parallel case biassed discussion and judgment of the the additional obligation, expressed incurred last year, when ten tenants of Council. I still adhere to much that I said. on that occasion. The fact that it paragraph D clause 2 that in future utter Street were being turned out. it will hold in coin at least one-third On this case being, brought to the notice was advantageous to landlords to destroy of its bills and notes actually in cires of the Council (page 1 of Hanson, 1993), insanitary property, to pull down such Intion. Apart from that paragraph the the Government made arrangements to houses and build bigger ones, was im provisions of the Bill are concerned solely house the tenants in temporary quar proving affairs in the Colony to a con- with the increase of the limit of the
ters on a large piece of ground immed-siderable extent. I confess that where Finasce Committee, but only the Waglan note issue and consequential amend lately adjoining. If any accommodation went wrong was when I credited the installation was mentioned. I assume the The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and can be found, I hope that Government landlords with having more public spirit approval of hon. members extends to the will think it proper to adopt a similar and more refined idenso common Post Office installation also. as recom. mended by the Electrical Engineer. The the first reading was agreed to.
course in the present case, and that tem- honesty than they appear to possess. porary buildings will be arranged for thought a landlord would only pull down Waglan installation cost £400, and the these people to move into in the mean his premises to get a substantial imbalance for the Post Office installation.
Approved. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the time I think, Sir, that this is a measure provement. I did not suppose that many second reading of the Bill intituled An which, out of compassion for these were prepared to go to extreme lengths Ordinance to amerd further the Rents people, should be adopted by the Govern of destroying good buildings to evade the law. I can only express my regret that Ordinance, 1099.
inen'ts,
NOTE ISSUE."
THE RENTS ORDINANCE.
ment.
unofficial member has referred to a letter he has received from a number of tenants in Cooke Street. A2-similar- letter has been sent to my Chinese
A meeting of the Finance Cominittee colleague and myself, and we hope, Sir, that the Government can find it possible was afterwards held, the Colonial Secre- to do something for these tenants in the tary presiding. direction indicated.
that the Government, after careful en- in Committee that the word "EGE Stances, and that the hon. member took
WIRELESS TELEPHONES.. 'The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,600 on account of Public Works, Extraordinary, Kowloon, Miscellaneous. Installation of Wireless Telephones at the Water Police Station and Cheung Chau Island.
The GAIMAN This has already been approved by the Finance, Committee..
Approved.
WIRELESS AT WAGLAN AND THE POST OFFICE.
The Governor recommended the Council! to vote a sum of 88,400 on account of Public Works, Extraordinary. Hongkong, Miscellaneous, Installation of Wireless at Waglan Lighthouses and General. Post
Office.
The. CHAIRMAN: This was before the
GRANT TO BOY SCOUTS ASSOCIATION. "The Governor recommended the Council Miscellaneous Services, Grant to the to vote a sum of $1,000 on account of Hongkong Boy Scouts Association.
The CHAIRMANY This vote and the method of its administration have been
Approved. approved by the Finance Committee.
MOTOR-CAR HIRE.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,300 ex account of Medical Department, Other, Charges,
N.*
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. With regard to clause 3 of the present I took a higher view of humanity than The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: I am glad Bill, I propose to move an amendment seemed to be justified by local circum
a more correct view than I did. quiry into statistics as to reconstruction, be inserted before, the word
This will In regard to the question of the pro- has seen its way to bring forward the in the ninth line of the clause. present measure which will give a desir mean that the Building Authority, in mises in Cooks Street. If the honourable able check to the reconstruction of houses considering whether he shall grant his member will forward his communication which are in a good condition. My only certificate or not will merely take into to the Colonial Secretary we will 160k regret is that when the subject of recon- account the structural condition of the into the matter, but I should like to observe that there are points of differ: structing houses was brought forward in houses, and that he will not have to gence between this matter and the, Butter Motor-car Hire. this Council in June last the Government into any other questions such as ques Street case to which the hon. member The CHAIRMAN: A thousand dollars of were not able to adopt then the same tions under the Public Health and attitude they are able to adopt now. Buildings Ordinance. The question will referred. In the latter case the majority this sum is required for hire of cars by The matter of the undesirability of un- simply be whether these bouses are habit of the people were night oil coolies who the Medical Officer supervising native necessary reconstruction was pressed able from a structural point of view; a wore performing unattractive but very hospitals in Kowloon. The 2000 is for without avail upon the Government by condition very much the same as the useful functions in the interests of the transferring Hospital Sisters between the "the unofficial members, with the reault learned Attorney-General put in his community. It was, for these men, in lower tram terminus and the Govern that is to say, the interests of the community, that we ment Civil Hospital. Some sisters have that the Hon. Attorney-General informed" Objects and Reasons us at the last meeting of this Council that the houses are in a reasonably good took care to provide accommodation. Ito live at Victoria Hospital as there is that, at about the middle of Jacuary condition. I think. Sir, at the present the present case, if my memory serves not sufficient room at the Government there were 126 houses being reconstruc time, when there is such a demand for me, the people in Cooke Street are, Civil Hospital,
Approved. ed which before the commencement of new buildings, the Government ought not almost without exception, employed by reconstruction were comparatively new to sanction the pulling down of houses, the Dock Company and the Cement and sound. On this matter there was merely for the election other houses on Works, and I submit that it is a proper an interesting article in the South Ching the same site, while there is such a prime thing for wealthy companies of that Morning Post on the first of this month; neccesity for the erection of new houses nature to provide accommodation for pointing out that these 126 house, as on new sites, and especially having re- their working class rather than to expect to vote a sum of $12,730 in aid of the suming average height of three gard to the fact that the available supply their loss wealthy citizens to assist them yote Police Department, Personal Emolu storeys representing about 378 flats and of building materials and building labour through the medium of the Government renter Rente allowance to Ladian and
The hon. members went on to deal with Chinese Police. hope the 10 residents in each era in this Colony is limited. I taking the of these 378 Bata it would mean that Government will accept this suggested the question of the renewal of the Rent go into Com-Ordinance. I feel some diffidereo, after 3.780 people have been rendered home- amendment when we Iess by reason of the reconstruction of mittee on this Bill. That will not what the hon. member said, but I venture houses, which were in tolerably good con- prevent, except in exceptional cases, the to express my opinion, and again wish Governor in Council exorcising in an to express the bonest thought that this +fition." "I speak with some feeling upon this exceptional case and for exceptional will be the last time. If it is not the The Governor recommended the Council. certificate on any Inst time, I shall have no hesitation in to vote a sum of $10,000 on account of particular aspect of the subject because reasons giving a only two days ago I received through ground. The point I want to make is moving a further amendment. I do not Miscellaneous Services, Erection of Mar- the post a letter which I will read to the simply that so far as the Building propose to bring it forward as a Govern ried Quarters over the Garage at Taim honourable members of this Council. 1 Authority is concerned, the simple test ment resolution. I fancy that the in- 6h Tsui Police Station. is addressed to me as's member of the should be whether the houses are in a clinations and consciences of the official The CHAIRMAN: This vote has led Legislative Council Council, and it is gond structural condition from the habit- members are in accordance with my own
in this matter. dated 3rd March, 1924. It says:-- able point of view.
BENT ALLOWANCE TO INDIAN AND CHINESE
POLTOP. ". The Governor recommended the Council
Tho CHAIRMAN: This has been approv ed by the Finance Committee.
Approved.
میرد
זי
MARRIED QUARTERA POR TSIM SHA TSUI FOLICE
beto approved by the Finance Committee.
Approved.
PERFUMERY.
RIMMEL'S FAMOUS PERFUMES:
DOUBLE EXTRACT OF RUSSIAN VIOLETS.
THE GUARDS PERFUME (EAU DE COLOGNE). TREBLE EXTRACT OF CARNATIONS,
VIOLETTES DE PAMA.
RAPSODIE ORIENTALE
CHYPRE.
KWEI-HWA (A CHINESE PERFUME).
MORNY'S FRAGRANT EXTRACTS;
JUNE ROSES, SERENADE.
NOCTURNE,
ZENOBIA PARFUM :
LILY OF THE VALLEY. PARFUM CONCENTRÈ, CARNETA, TREEK-A-TRIQUE. CELESTIA,
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