Fondosure 3.
(a)
iCA
56
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Colony. The Military Service Conmais- ,sion is still in being, and will be kept in being for the purpose for which it was appointed, and I trust that recruits for the Armies outside the. Colony will be forthcoming down to a point when the Military Authorities will have to step in and refuse to let more men go. I have said that I informed the Secretary of State that the numerical strength of the existing Volunteer Forces would not be increased by compulsory service for local defence and this, perhaps, requires some farther explanation. The correspondence with Mr. Long had reference only to men of British race, and practically all residents of British race, who are physi- cally fit, are already enrolled in either the Volunteers, the Volunteer Reserves, or the Police Reserve. There are, of course, in the Colony many British su jeets of non-British race: and the Bill before Council gives powers of compul- sion over all British subjects. It is not, however, the intention at present to call ap men other than those of British rate, at any rate in any large numbers. It is far from the intention of the Govern- ment to discourage men of non-British race from joining the local forers, and recruits who may wish to volunteer will be as welcome in the future as in the past. The Government fully appreciates the good work done by many of Chinese, Portuguese, and Indian race, both in the Volunteer Forces and in the Police Reserve. I may mention that the Polien Reserve will not be affected by the pre- sent Bill, and members of British rate now enrolled therein will not be trans- ferred to the Hongkong Defence Corps. I may take this opportunity to meation that the Consular Representatives of Portugal, Japan, the United States of America, and the Netherlands have con veyed to me an offer from their com- patriots to assist in the protection of the Colony, as members of the Police Re- serve, or in any other way that might be considered suitable. I have not found it necessary to avail myself of these offers, but I am sure that hon. members and the community at large will endorse the high appreciation which I have express- ed of the spirit in which they were made. (Applause.)
The Bill was then read a first time.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR- Councils stands adjourned until this day week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meing of the Finance Committee followed, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presid- ing :--
Kowloon-Caqton Railway
The Governor recommended the Counci! to vote M sam of nineundred and seventy-five dollars ($975) in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway Special
Construction,
Dating Expenditure,
Apparatus fr Stores Office-
THE CHAIRMAN--This money Was voted last year but it was not expended and it has to be re-voted this year.
The vate was agreed to.
Public Works, Extraordinary
The Governor recommended the Coun- cil to vote a sum of one hundred and twenty-five dollars ($125) in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, New
(46) Territories, Drainage.
Chau Drain in Main Street.
Cheund
THE CHAIRMAN-This is for the drainage of the Main Street of Sheung Chau. The expenditure on the work is as follows: Aimount of accepted tender. $1,981; additional rost, for cent con- erete surfacing, $242.94: total 9,123.94. The amount approved in 7 estimates was $2,000, leaving a deficit of €123.94.
The vote was agreed jo.
Fire Brigade
The Governor Lecommended the Coug- eil to vote a sm of five hundred and forty-eight dollars and twenty-five cente (8348.85) in fid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, D.-Fire Brigade, Other Charges. Clothing,
THE CHAIRMAN-This sum of money is for the purchase of 21 brass helmets and 31 badges for members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade who took the place of the members of the Fire Brigade who have pfoceeded to the Front,
The vote was agreed to.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Kowloon and Victoria
British Schools
The Governor recommended the Coun- til to vote a sum of one hundred and sixty dollars ($100) in aid of the vote, 1. Education, Kowloon and Victoria British Schools.
THE CHAIRMAN -This sum is required by the Kowloon and Victoria British schools for examination fees payable to the University for which no estimate was made. There has been a saving on the vote for Queen's College, Other Pur- poses, and University Examination Fees, so that the net increase is only $80.
The role was agreed to.
Ricsha Shelter
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of eight hundred and fifty dollars ($850) in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Kowloon, Build- ings, 31, Riesha Shelter at Kowloon Roint.
The CHAIRMAN This sum is required owing to the increase in the cost of material and the increase in confract rates since the estimate was framed in 1918. The total cost of the shelter $2.50. The vol was for $2,000.
The rute was agreed to.
Repairing Yard fox Launches
to vote a
1#
The Governor recommended the Council sum of five thousand eight hundred and fifty dollar ($5,850.00) in aid of the vote, Public Works, Extra- ordinary, Kowloon, Miscellaneous, e- pairing and Coaling Yard for Govern iment Launches-made up as follows:-
Cost of Capstan or Winch...$ 6,407.00 Foundation for Winch Sundry Stores, &c.,
Total
331.23
111.77
$5,850.00
THE CHAIRMAN--The first of these items is a re-vobe. It has been impossible to get the capstan so far but in the mean- time it was decided to go on with the foundation for the winch, and that work has been done. The tender of Wing Lee was $331.32. In connection with the work certain stores had to be purchased.
The vote was agreed to.
Imports and Exports Office
37
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one thousand five hund- red and sixty dollars $1,500) in aid of the vote, 7. uporis and Exports Office, Personal Emoluments,
THE CHAIRMAN- This is to pay the salaries of six tomporary 5th grade clerks from June 15th to December 31st, 1917. Their salaries are at the rate of $150 s year each, the initial salary of a th grade clerk. Their work is bringing the arrears of records up to date and the preparation of special statistics, which work it has been decided to undertake. Three of these clerks will probably be required permanently.
The vute was agreed to,
Roads and General Works
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) in aid of the vote Public Works. Extraordinary, Hongkong, Communica tions) (8) Roads (4) General Works,
THE CHAIRMAN This vote for General Works is always a difficult one to estimate for, because it is not known when houses will be built, and the Government has to carry out its obligations. In this case it is necessary to form a channel for the road and land adjoining an Inland Lot at Shaukiwan at a cost of $950, and as there may be other expenditure of the kind before the end of the year it is thought desirable to take a vote of $5,000 to be on the safe side.
The vote was agreed to.
Tai Po Office
The overnor recommended the Counc! to vote um of eight hundred and fifty dollars (0) in aid of the following
votes:-
Imports and sports Depart
ment, Other Charges, Rent of Tai Po Branch Ofco Imports and Export Depart- ment, Other Charges, Altera- tion to New Tai Po anch Office
Total
$100
750
456
32