39
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN said it was found HON. MR. HEWETT asked that this
THE CHAIRMAN-You will see the award of the arbitrator is $16,505, as opposed to the claim of the contractor for a much greater amount.
impossible to complete the roads minute should stand over for further Bet down and discharge all consideration. liabilities in connection with them at the end of last year. The Train Halt to Shek Wu Hui was estimated at $672, but was subsequently found to be the exact sum of $718.66. The road from Shek Wu Hui to Sheung Shui was estimated to cost $739, and compensation for land, $116. Subsequently there was a small addition found to be necessary.
These sums should have been settled last year,
settled last year, but the amount was only sent in to the District Officer at Taipo on March 20th, and could not be included in the vote asked for. With regard to the sum of $3,500 for the road from Kam Tin to Au Tau, that sum practically represented the unexpended balance in the vote for this service in last year's estimates, so that was a re-vote.
HON. MR. HEWETT-Could not the work be pushed on a little faster? The vote has been made, and the money should be spent.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS -An embankment was made, and that had to be allowed time to settle.
HON. MR. HEWETT-You estimate for certain work for 1913. Why shouldn't it be carried out in that year ?
THE CHAIRMAN-That is not always possible.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS -Because the work was estimated for, and the vote taken, it does not necessarily follow that the work should be done in that year.
The Law Court Buildings
His Excellency the Governor recom- mended the Council to vote a sum of $18,505, in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Buildings, New Law Courts:
(a.)—Award in connection with the contracts for the construction
$16,505.00
(b.)-Fee for Arbitrator of
same
2,000.00
$18,505.00
HON. MR. HEWETT-We recognise that the claim and the vote have to be paid. At the same time, we should like to have an opportunity of stating our views, as his Excellency has expressed a pious hope that members will make such observations as occur to them. A fortnight more cannot do much harm, and I move that the matter stand over for that time.
HON. MR. WEI YUK seconded.
A division was taken, the voting being as follows:
AYES:-Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak, Hon. Mr. Shellim, Hon. Mr. Hewett and Hon. Mr. Wei Yuk.
NOES-The Captain Superintendent of Police, the Colonial Treasurer, the Attorney-General, the Director of Public Works an the Chairman.
The motion for an adjournment was declared lost.
Extinction of Publicans' Licences
His Excellency the Governor recom- mended the Council to vote a sum of $3,000 in aid of the vote Miscellaneous Services, Compensation to Licencees of Public Houses.
THE CHAIRMAN said-This is for carrying out the policy of the Com- mittee which considered the question of the extinction of public house licences. This particular amount is for the New Travellers Hotel. Instead of waiting till the end of the year, the manageress has asked for compensa- tion for the extinction of the licence.
Belilios School
His Excellency the Governor recom- mended the Council to vote a
sum of $4,500 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Building :-
Belilios Public School extension $4,500.00
The vote was passed.