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"THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH"
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHIC
COMPETITION
$150.00 CASH PRIZES
First Prize Second Prize
Third Prize
$60.00
$40.00
$20,00
Three Consolation Prizes $10.00 Each
In addition to the Cash Prizes The Eastman Kodak Company offer a Special Prize which will be known
as the-
EASTMAN KODAK
PRIZE.
A 1932 Model Kodak 616 with 1.5.3 Anastigmat Lens, which will be awarded for the
BEST STORY TELLING PICTURE.
SECTION FOR SCHOol childREN. Messrs. Waibal & Co. ''DEFAG") offer six "AGFA" box cameras to be competed for by school-children.. These will be awarded to best six pictures in this class.
Bathing Scenes, Picnic Illustrations, Local Beauty Spots, Typical Chinese Studies, etc. All photographs must be of subjects taken in the Colony. Photographs may be submitted forthwith, and it is the intended to reproduce selected pictures in Telegraph Pictorial Supplement as from the first Saturday in July. The Competition will close on August 31st, 1932.
The following rules will govern the Competition:- 1. The Competition is confined exclusively to
amateur photographers.
2. The prizes will be awarded to the competitors sending in what are adjudged to be the best photographs submitted up to August 31st, 1932. In the event of two or more photographs being considered of equal merit, any or all of the prizes will be divided accordingly. The decision of the Judges shall be final.
3. The right to publish any or all of the entries in the Telegraph Pictorial Supplement is reserved. 4. Photographs which have been already entered in
local competitions will be ineligible.
5.-No photographs will be returned. 6-Photographs, preferably in black and white, must be addressed to the Editor and must bear on back the name and address of competitor.
7.-No correspondence will be entered into in
connexion with the Competition.
B.The six "Agfa" cameras donated by Messrs. Waibel & Co. ("Defag") may only be competed Each entry in this for by local school-children. section must bear the name of the competitor together with that of his or her school. THAT "SNAP” MAY WIN $60.00 1
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 1932.
RIDER MAIN DEBATE
(Continued from Pape 2).
Hongkong is considerably higher about 53 per cent higher-than that in Kowloon; but how are we to account for this vast difference? Whatever the causes,
the rider mains were not
one of them, for during the whole of July they wer
|
Great Dis-satisfaction.
Sir Henry May Quoted. On the occasion of the first read ing of the Bill to provide for the institution of the system, the then Colonial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. F. H. (afterwards Sir Henry) May mile these important observations: "The rider-main system equally well adapted to the preven tion of waste, and it is for that purpose that it is now sought to be pulsory meterage, a principle the Humption of water when they find houses, computed roughly at over. introduced-for the prevention of economical quality of which has by it already difficult to eke out 10,000 souls, have still to
apply for them, because they find The present Government should have been made for meters but for the moter system so much more have consulted the people before the difficulties and delay expori- convenient than the rider-main taking any action, as the Adminis- onced by the people in obtaining aystem which is subject to period!-tration of 1923 did.
them in the past. By the gradual cal restrictions, entailing much
and natural process auggested by hardship on the poor.
110 the number of unmetered From the point of view of
The Government, by its action houses in the rider-main districts completely closed! This, then, de- minimising the hardship, the pro-
in fixing meters to some of the should, by the end of 1934, be so molishes the palat, of which tua posal of the Government has
rider-mainu, has made it, to use reduced that abolition would be the Hon. Colonial Secretary's attended with no difficulty. | Government and others have male everything to recommend it; but
so much, that the higher consump- the poor themselves desiro no words, "no longer possible to
The Motion. What is the reason? bring the nections concerned into tion on the Island should be laid at change.
Thousands of the residents in the
of the There the door of the rider-main users.
Now, the Government is propos-rider-main districts are ing to replace the rider-maun working class who cannot afford to pay any charge, for excess con system with the principle of com-
can be
waste. It is simply, if I may so describe it in a few short words, nяylem of huge meters for blocks of buildings Instead of separate meters for separate houses. The principle of the Bill was carefully considered by both Mr. Chadwick and Professor Simpson. It has been adopted and endorsed by both these experts...I repeat again the abject of the Bill, the object we al have before us, is the prevention of waste. The experts, especially i Mr. Chadwick, are of opinion that the waste could be stopped by this system, the Government are strong- of that opinion, and our local ad- als of the same visers here ar opinion."
no means
A Hard Fact,
been demonstrated. It bare existence. may not be known to some honour- able members that in 1928 the Gov- ernment contemplated a Himilar change, with only this difference, that water was to be charged, for from the first gallon consumed..
At a meeting of leading and re- resentative members of the Chin- ese community. numbering about 40, convened by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs und held in his office on the 22nd June, 1923, the question Was exhaustively dis- cilased,
Meters Not Economical.
uso on the rider-muin prínciple." To give effect to our request, Are Bome 2,600 houses I beg now to move the following nTected in this way. It means amendment to the original resolu-. that the occupants of these 2,600 tion:
take
water from the streot-fountains when our reservoirs are full to overllowing, and when the other unmetered houses in the ritor main districts have had a direct supply restored to them since the 2nd August.
"That in the opinion of this Council the time has come for the Colony to decide upon the abandonment, on the expiration of two years from this date, of the principle of the rider-main system, substituting therefor The principle of compulsory meternge to all house supplies to which the alternative shall be a free supply from street- fountains."
This is a hard fact which can not be ignored. It is true that many people of this class have moved over to the Kowloon Penin- sula which has no rider-mains; This precipitate action of the but those who have chosen to Government, with its attendant remain or to move into the rider-effects, is causing great dissatis- main districts, must have good faction to the people directly con- reasons for so doing. Those cerned. We havo received
We have not forgotten that this reasons are that they have to be numerous letters of protest, which amendment, if approved, would near their work or that they can ask that the disconnected houses necessitate the restoration of the not afford the expense of a meter- be accorded the same treatment as 2,600 disconnected houses to the od supply. Thus by the necessity are the other more fortunate rider-mains, and the removal of of economic pressure these people houses in the rider-main districts. about 600 meters from these mains In order to justify the proposal have perforce to submit to the We consider the protest justified, and connecting them to the princi-
inconvenience periodical
and and the request only natural. of the Government to make 1
pai mains, entailing some expense hardship of having to obtain water The IIon. Colonial Secretary in and trouble. But there is another change from the first gallon used, from the street-fountains, with the his speech said that "the transi- side of the picture which should At a subsequent meeting of the the Hon. Secretary for Chinese consoling thought that they would tion was too far advanced for be kept more prominently before Commeil, the Attorney-General, the Affairs informed the meeting that have a direct house-supply for at any calling back now, and there the public than it has been. It ilon. Sir Henry Berkeley, sald: certain test meterings made in the least part of the year.
was nothing for it but to complete The reasons why the Government year 1921-22 in six houses chosen
is that the rider-maina which Several men have put to ma introduce this Bill are that on furat rindum, had revealed consider what seemed to them a pertinent system."
the installation of the meterage were originally paid for by the From this remark it is people would, when the system is ther consideration it has appeared able wasic This test ponclusively
They solemnly asked: apparent that the Government has abolished, that all the objects aimed at by the proves that metering does not con-Kowloon has no rider-mains; why made up ita mind to go on with Government for the purpose of
question.
be utilised by the Bill of 1902, principal among which duce to economy. It was submitted should Hongkong have them "
its scheme, whatever the merits of connecting meters to them. is the supply of a sufficient quantity by several speakers at the meeting offered them a counter-query. the people's case. The discussion Without theye mains,
that it was exceedingly difficult for "Because Smith has not a house, now being permitted to us is, it Government would have either to employers to control effectively should Jones, who has one to would seem, permitted merely for connect the meters to the princl- their servants in the use of water, which he has a perfect title, be the purpose of fulfilling a forgot pal mains, necessitating the cut- and that servants were more in-deprived of it?" Further arguten promise-as a matter of form. ting up of roads-a thing which lined to be extravagant when theyments are unnecessary.
the Government desires so much now to avoid or to construct
of water to the town of Victoria with the least possible waste, may be effected without incurring the hardships which the Bill of 1902 would be inevitably inflicting on a certain section of the community using water'... Rider-mains are a means by which the supply of waler can be regulated to blocks of bonses as effectively as it can be by meters in the
case of single houses,"
Original Object. Proin these quotations from
did not have to carry the
water
Government. "Bargain."
The Time Question.
the
the
Hansard it is clear that the prin- Paper No. 4 and is this: "I main- tenance. It should be pointed out gave his promise, he added those earnest hope that Your Excellency
cipal object of the rider-main system was to delect and prevent waste. That objest was itunti and reiterated by the Colonial Secretary and the Attorney-General
of that day. After operation no evidence bas been adduced to prove that the system has failed of that object. It stands
to reason that a system which is subject, as the rider-main system is, to severe restrictions for long periods at a time, almost annually, cannot but conserve materially our water supply.
It is very well to say, as it has hoen said by some, that there is bound to be waste in a system which supplies water free, for people are apt to be careless in the use of a thing for which they have not to pay.
The matter is too im-. portant to the tens of thousands of the poorer classes for it to be disposed of with dicium. Incontrovertible facts are
necessary.
Government has
time-worn
the most economical,
to
from the street themselves.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary subsidiary mains for the purpose. iere,I may draw attention to an I have also heard it contended also said that even at the time of Thus the rider-mains originally important remark of Mr. Osbert that, at any rate, the people have Sir Cecil Clementi's promise, "the laid at the expense of the people, the Secretary of State for the
hadwick, the expert sent out by had their money's worth in the conclusion was foregone and the would be the means of saving usC of the rider-mains for 20 discussion could hardly have been considerable expenditure to the Colonies to study and report years, having pald only $222,000 miere than a facing of the facts public. on the water problem of the for laying the mains, and not and an explanation. A refer-
Act of Equity. Colony in 1902. That remark is having been called upon by the ence to page 232 of Hansard of!'
We therefore express contained in para, 21 of Sessional Government to pay for their main 1929 shows that when Sir Cecil tain that the meter system is the that the question of upkeep never all-important words: "It will, of will accept our amendment, not only system of rating which is formed part of the scheme, for at course, be impossible to discard only as the best and most reason- thoroughly efficient and equitable." a
meeting of the Legislative the rider-main system until there able compromise in the circum- It is significant that Mr. Chadwick Council held on the 17th Septem- is an assured supply of water stance, but also as an act of used the word "rating," and dilber, 1903, the Hon. Colonial available both on the island and equity demanded by the occasion hot say that the meter system was Secretary said that, after the first on the mainland throughout the and in harmony with the tradi- cost was paid by the owners year." From this very definite tional policy of the Government The proceedings of the meeting "there would be no further charge expression of opinion of Sir Cecil to accord all communities and justice. ported to the Governor of that time, maintenance of the rider-mains might have been the contemplated (Applause). of the 22nd June, 1923, were re-to them for the supervision and Clementi it is clear that whatever considerateness Sir Edward Stubbs; and a few days which would be included in the policy of the Government at the later the Colonial Secretary, Mr. general expenditure of the time, it certainly could not have, A. G. M. (now Sir Murchison) Colóny."
been its intention to abolish the Fletcher informed the Hon. Sir In regard to the free use of rider-mains before “an assured Shouson Chow and me that the pro-
water for 26 years, it should be supply of water is available both post would be dropped, and that remembered that against this on the island and on, the mafu- he advised the people in the riderprivilege are offset the hardship the mata districts to apply for meters and inconvenience which
We are far from this happy! UNFORTUNATE POSITION. which would be freely granted. people have had to undergo, state of things at present; and
almost annually, during that same so it would not be unreasonable' period by reason of restrictions of to ask the Government to accept varying severity having been Sir Cecil Clementi's view........ imposed on them, and the amount of water which such restrictions have saved to the general public.
Meters Increasing.
We thought at the time that, by following the Government's advice, the matter would end there. That that advice has been largely follow- ed can be seen in the steadily in creasing, number of meters that
Many Protests.
We
and throughout the year."
Principle Accepted.
MR. TSO'S SUPPORT.
Plea for the System to Abolish Itself.
The Hon. Mr. S. W. Teo: I rise to second the amendment pro- posed by the Hon. Dr. Kotewall, Senior Chinese Member of Coun- cil, to the motion before us to-day.
The amendment just proposed by But after anxious and careful my Honourable colleague is not at consideration of all aspects of the variance with the motion of the problem, we have decided to accept ton. Colonial Secretary in prin- For the various reasons I have the principle of the resolution, but ciple, but merely asks to allow the On Wrong Premises. have been applied for and installed given, the people in the rider-main to ask that it may not be carried rider main system
since 1923. At this very moment, districts cannot see the necessity into effect for 2 years, from this itself, in
to apolish What are the facts that the according to the reply given by the
two years' time oy. or justice of the Government's date. We realise that sooner or the gradual installation of meters, produced? To Hon. Director of Public Works to
proposal. strengthen his assertion that the my question put at the meeting of strong representations, urging the because it is wasteful or because consider, is the best mode of at have received later the system has to go, not which my Chinese colleagues and I rider-main system was wasteful, this Council on the 4th August, retention of the system, the Hon
Colonial Secretary in 2,100 meters have been applied for various institutions, including the
from universal meterage would conduco taining the object, which the Gov- formed us that a comparison and but not yet installed in the rider Chinese General Chamber of Com-
lo economy-both of which we do ernment desires to effect, without been made by the Government of main districts.
not admit--but because a uniform using the hardship and incon- But for the dif-merce, the Tung Wah Hospital system of water supply for all venience to the people living in the the water concumption on the ficulties which the people have, un-Committee, the Hongkong and parts of the Colony has much to rider main Island and in Kowloon, which re-
districts which til quite recently, experienced, in Kowloon Property Owners Asso recommend it, and because the mediate abolition would. vealed the fact that the former was obtaining meters-n fact borne out ciation, the consistently some 30% higher per by the 2,100 applications stili Association, the Chinese Medicalment will tend to accelerate Sugar Merchants present intention of the Govern- head; and he went on to say that awaiting attention-more applica-Association, the Chinese Engi-applications for meters, thas
this comparison made it impossible Lions would have
been made for neurs Association, the Po Yick gradually obliterating the rider- to avoid the further conclusion that them. the rider-min system could not be |
Commercial Association, the Chao- absolved from the charge of
Chow Residents' Association, the wastefulness."
Ling Tung Association and the longkong Coolics' Guild, as well
Now the Government has revived the question-in fact, has actually We say that that conclusion is produced more arguments to justify taken some action, without having founded on wrong premises. It it. except that the large num has been pointed out to us that in
ber of meters that have making the comparison, the Gov ernment did not take into account #pplied for in recent years has made it neccessary to make the
been
new
the
ay from hundreds of individuals.
Unfortunate Position.
fm-
It is very unfortunate that the main system without undue haste Government did not take the Chl- or unnecessary compulsion.
Two-Year Respite.
reso community into Its confidence when it decided to abolish the rider main system in February last and took steps to disconnect certain houses from the rider main.
In addition to these we have received from the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce a letter addressed to them in the name of the Kai-fong, which bears the considerable quantity of water change, for, according to the Hon. several hundred chops of firms between them and the Govern- system into a universal motorage supplied by Hongkong to the large Coloniat Secretary. "each number of Kowloon residents who meter tended to destroy
and shops. Never in our com- come over here daily during susi balance of the 1900 arrangement. paratively long careers as public ness hours to pursue their voca. It would seem from this that the
men have we received so many tions, as well as to the even larger adoption of the advice of the
letters, couched in such strong number of visitors from the New Government of 1923 is now having
terma on any one subject. Territories and Cheung Chau, an opposite effect to what was from Canton and Macao and from intended, other adjacent ports.
on
revenue.
with Mr. Chadwick's idea that the rider-main system
The reason for our request for a two-year respite is that, in our.
If the Government had prepared view, the people should not be scheme beforehand showing the forced out of what. after all, is manner in which the Government some sort of contract entered into proposed to convert the rider main ment, especially at the present system and let the Chinese go time, when "an assured supply of thoroughly into the matter, no water is not available throughout doubt n modus operandi would the year," when it is not really have been found satisfactory to the a case of stopping waste, when Chinese who are chiefly concerned. It is maintained by many that the rider-mains are still quite As It is, the Chinese did not know the rider-main system was intro-serviceable, and when, as we have what the Government had done or it from Your Excellency, the pro- proposed to do until the subject duced in the nature of a bargain posed change is not a matter of was brought before the Council at Mr. Chadwick's Views. between the Government and the Government's Figures.
its Inst Meeting and are consequent- Tho views of the present people, for the people had to pay
Our suggestion is in accord ly much concerned. However, we do not entirely rely Government this important the cast of laying the mains with
More Proof Wanted. should be! upon this fact, important though it question are also at variance with the consent of the Government. is, to show the unfairness of the those of Mr. Osbert Chadwick. Now, one party to that bargain allowed to abolish itself by the
The Hon. Dr., Kotewall in his comparison. The Government it. In paragraph 20 of Sessional desires to abrogate It and has, by
gradual installation of meters, speech has fully and clearly stated ita action, practically abrogated self has only a few days ago, and Paper No. 4 certain remarks of unintentionally, furnished an argu- Mr. Chadwick on the rider main it, while the other prefers the bar- That this object has to a large the Chinese views on the subject. extent been fulfilled can be seen I do not propose therefore to ad- ment in refutation of its own in- system are quoted. They are gain to stand.
from the fact that while 831 duce further arguments against ference. In last week's Press were these: "Its effect will bo threo-
meters were installed in the City the assumption that the rider ranin published tho figures of tho fold. Firstly, it will mitigate the
number system is wasteful or that the Colony's water supply for the evils of the intermittent system; I readily accept the Govern- of Victoria in 1906, the month of July. These figures show and, secondly, it will be a purman-ment's explanation that Sir Cecil went up to 6,329 in 1981; and meter system can prevent waste of there are now 2,100 applications water. But if the rider main that the consumption in the city, ent improvement, inasmuch as it Clement's undertaking not to
awaiting attention.
system is a wasteful system, the and Hill District during the month will facilitate the detection of abolish the systom without glying
Government can surely produce of July was 844.38 million gallons; waste. Thirdly, it will greatly this Council an opportunity to
better proof than it has done. For and this, on an estimated popula facilitate the voluntary introduc- discuss the question, was over- Still, it is very unfor-
It is most likely that the object so far I know the system of water tion of 388.500, works out at 29 tion of meters." Thoso remarks, looked. gallone per head per day. The con- and the debates in Hansard of tunate that in a matter of auch would be completely attained in supply in this Colony is served by the course of the next two years, two means: motored or unmetered sumption in Kowloon
1908, give us the impression, if importance to the people, the million gallons, which works out at not conviction, that the rider Government should have begun for there are now only 5,600 un-service. The quantity of water 18.9 gallons por hand per day, on an
the work of abolition without metered houses in the rider-main suppliod. by moters efthor for main system which was to bo estimated population of 102,200.
"permanent" arrangement, was to giving the people any warning. districts, and this. number will be domestic use or for trade purposes be allowed to abolish itself by the. It seems to us to be immaterial roduced to 8,500 after the wants is known.and the balance of con- Hongkong Consumption, **
gradual installation of moters. whether an undertaking to give an of the 2,100 houses have boon sumption must have been consumed
by the rider main or by other un Manx mania in the ridgs main appariunity to the public to dia- supplied.
WGA 177
!
"Consult the People."
Effect of Respite.
$.