will place a stricter supervision over the work of the native excisemen and police, and mitigate the hardship and undue annoyance to which the Chinese passing through this Colony are undoubtedly sub- jected. Turning to the question of the teaching of Chinese boys in English, we also agree that the methods in vogue may well be looked into and improved. Given the same length of time for schooling, and the same standard of education, the Chinese boys learning English nowadays do not as a rule speak and write the language so well as the students of a decade or two ago. The reason is, we should say, that too many subjects are orammed into the heads of the present day students before they have had a pro- per grounding in the fundamental ments of the language.
sary improvements and of public safety on this side in regard to roads largely used by motor-cars. The importance of linking up the link-line between the Kowloon-Canton railway and the Han- kow section is so obvious that it is un- necessary for me to dwell upon it, ex- cept to endorse the remarks which have fallen from my colleague. With regard to the remarks of the hon. member with regard to searching passengers, as chair- man of one of the local steamship com- panice running between here and Canton, I have myself repeatedly stood upon that wharf and watched the examination of passengers. And I can only say, Sir, from my own personal observation in the early stages the searchers were entire ele-ly out of uniform and indistinguishable from any coolie who might happen to demand the right to search passengers on the wharf. And later, even after they were put into uniform, the searching was of a somewhat brutal nature. I do not know what precisely the circumstances were, but I have repeatedly seen letters rudely torn open and read through. Upon demanding what was the reason for this the searchers said they were searching for revolutionary matter. I do not see why it is in the province of this Colony to protect the Chinese Empire by searching for revolutionary matter going on steamers, but there have been occasions, from my own personal observation, when passengers have been searched in a man- ner which was anything but courteous, and might be described as positively bar- barous. Such happenings will, I think, tend to drive people away from this Colony, unless proper
conditions of searching can be provided for them.
The GOVERNOR-Hear, hear. Hon. Mr. LAU CHU PAK-At any rate English not being their mother tongue the Chinese students cannot be expected to learn it with the same facility as the English students taught under the same system. We commend this important question to the careful attention of the authorities interested. We say important, Sir, because on the present day students the Courts here more or less depend for the supply in future of competent in- terpreters and translators, and the University for qualified undergraduates.
Hon. Mr. WEI YUK-I beg to support the statements which have just been made by my colleague.
will be more quarters required, and it is intended also that the quarters might be provided for those officers who are in receipt of comparatively small salaries.
HIS EXCELLENCY-There are two sets
of quarters, one free of rent and the
other are rented. The whole scheme is ed quarters are not completed. now practically completed, but the rent-
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-My friend also enquired what certain sections of the road, which is generally known as the road round the Island, would cost. I am not quite in a position to answer his question in the form in which it was put, but I may say that, speaking roughly, to complete the road and improve the various portions of the existing road which are in need of im- provement, will cost, roughly, $200,000, in addition to the sum provided in this year's estimates. With regard to quarters for subordinate officers in the second block, I am not in a position at the pre- sent moment to give the estimated total cost of that work. As to the market at Tsim-tsa-tsui, I do not expect that the sum of $18,000 will be largely exceeded, but there will certainly be a very con- siderable addition to the item, quarters for subordinate officers, second block. My friend also asked for particulars of item 34 (b), roads and general work in Kowloon. The various totals are:-- 89,200, $3,250, $1,200, $1,200, $750, $500, $380, $350, $300 and $70, making a total of $17,210. Unforeseen on works total $5,000. As to the Praya East reclamation and when it is likely to be done, I re- gret, Sir, that though matters have pro- gressed in connection with the work it is not yet possible to mention any prob- The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-Sir,able date at which the scheme is likely to I will endeavour as far as in my power be initiated. The matter depends wholly lies to reply to the remarks of the hon upon the acceptance of the proposed member on my right with regard to Pub-
erms by the lot holders who are interest-
Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK--Sir, in rising to support the remarks which have fallen from my colleagues, I desire to state that the hon. member who represents the Justices of the Peace has given to this Council a symposium of thought repre- senting the criticisms which the unofficial members have to pass upon the Budget. It is the desire of all of us to avoid, under the present circumstances, all con- troversial matter as far as may possiblylic Works. In reply to his first remarks,d in the work, and until the complete
cheme has been before them and accepted y them it is impossible to say when it ill be begun. My friend suggested that f considerable delay was likely to occur t would be advisable to undertake the extension of sewer outfalls. But I would ubmit, Sir, that the mere extension
sewer outfalls would do little remedy the existing objection- ble state of affairs. The mud, which mposes a large extent of the foreshore in such a condition even now that Vaatever you may do in the matter of xtension, if you do not take steps to over up the mud the smell will remain is it is. I think, Sir, I have touched on all the points the hon. member dealt ith.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-- The hon mem- er who represents the Justices of the hace referred at the beginning of his marks to what he said was a special typhoon refuge. There is a sum of $95,000 sessment for paying off the cost of the
hich appears in the estimates for 1917. the hex. member will look at the foot-
be done, but it is not within the reason-
whether the amount provided in this able bounds of probability or expectation year's estimates for the harbour of re- that the expenditure of so large a sum of age was to include the final payment in money as this Budget involves could hope connection therewith, the amount pro- to escape entirely criticisim of the points vided in this year's estimate does include which, from a commercial point of view--
the final payment to the contractor for representing as I do, and have the honour the work, and as I pointed out at the to do, the commercial community of the
time when your Excellency declared the Colony-we would force upon the atten-
barbour of refuge completed, the work tion of the Government. In the first had been completed within the contract place, we ask for the removal of the Pass
amount. My hon. friend suggested that Office to a more central position in the
the amount provided in item 7 of the Colony, such as the Post Office, and if Public Works recurrent was not suffici- possible the removal to a more central
ent. The matters to which he alluded position of the Permit Office. The Pass have not been lost sight of, but of course Office is notoriously quite inconvenient. it is a matter of opinion in what parti It is difficult to find, and extremely difficular direction the money available cult for strangers to find. It should be, should be expended. The Government we submit, in a central spot, close to the has decided that it would be best expend- arrival of the large vessels which come
ed in the direction of extending roads and go in these waters, and the natural rather than in effecting very useful im- place would be somewhere on the praya provements, no doubt, in existing roads. front, or as adjacent to it as it possibly But the point has not been lost sight of, can be. The Permit Office is at present and it will be taken in hand as soon as at the Harbour Office, which is some
funds are available. My hon. friend next distance from the business locality, and asked what was the estimated cost of a great deal of time is wasted in going Imports and Exports Office. I regret t
he will see that the balance after to obtain pmits, and although we all I am not in a position to give him recognise that most valiant efforts are
payments made in 1916 is more than information. An estimate for
3,000, and it will probably take an- made to avoid delays and to meet the to contain the Imports and Exports de er two and a half years, at the same wishes of merchants, we submit that this partment was prepared about two years to pay half the cost of the whole is a point which might be very carefully ago, but such extensive development has kas arranged from the special levy. considered. My colleague touched on the occurred since that the proposals on that W regard to the question of inter- question of the devotion of large sums
date are now out of date and it will of money to public works in the Kowloon
prs and translators in the Supreme be necessary to plan some entirely new, the hon. member was territory and the further hinterland building. My hon. friend enquired also
no doubt rather than upon this side, and while about the quarters at Mount Parish, the interpreter commands a very high rate avare that a really good translator and we recognise most clearly the desirability amount provided for which is, I think, of pay, and when other people came along of improving roads of communication
$15.000. The cost of the building will and offered them more money it was with a view to developing the territory be in the neighbourhood of $20,000 or nothing less than human that they should and the desirability of building sites on
$22,000. He further enquired whether wish to take up more lucrative employ- that side, we de consider that very much
gome quarters would be required for sub- ment. The Government has done its best money is being spent on that side to the
ordinate officers. neglect of obvious and perfectly neces
Naturally, with the in getting younger men who have great extension of staff, which continues, there promise, and it is hoped that after ex-
build
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