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protection against wind, and, therefore, unless the craft are reasonably securely moored they are apt to be driven on to Che Praya wall, where they would suffer
damage. The next question was why no provision has been made for a roof to the Queen's Statue wharf. This wharf is of such a rudimentary, nature, and in such bad condition that it would be inexpedient to construct any substantial roof for it. The question of a roof should wait until some permanent structure in the shape of a. pier has been erected there With regard to the clock on the railway station at Kowloon, this formed the subject, two or three years ago,.of a recommendation by the Public Works Committee that economy should be effected by omitting the clock, Since then no further steps have been taken that I am aware of in connection with the matter. The linking
of Nathan Road, Kowloon, with Corona- tion Road is now in progress on a bem- porary, not a permanent,, line, and in a very short space of time I hope it will be available for traffic. The more permanent work will. remain in abeyance until the hill has been excavated to a greater extent for obtaining material for reclamation, and other purposes. The next question Was directed to nullah training, with a complaint that smaller provision had been made in next year's estimates than in the estimates for the present year. Nullah training has now progressed to a very advanced stage, and I am not, aware of any urgent works of this nature that requira attention. The question of accommodation for Sayingpun School is one which scarcely comes within my purview. I am not aware that any question of that nature has been raised by the leadmaster of the school. With regard to the Imports and Exports Office and the question of the practicability of btaining a more central site for the same, in, my opinion the site which has been chosen is a very central one. I cannot see it is open to any serious objection on that ground. Moreover, it is the only piece of Crown land that is available anywhere near the centre of the City that is in any way adequate for the purpose.
Hon. Mr. POLROOR I would Jike to ask the hon. member on my left whether there is any project for renewing the Queen's Statue wharf within any reasonable time.
The DIRECTOR OF
PUBLIC WOaks The
matter has been before the Government in past years, but it was not considered of sufficient urgency to justify the pro- vision of funds for its construction. The intention of the Government is that a pier of a very substantial nature and of much greater dimensions than the present pier should be erected in this position, and naturally owing to the depth of water the expenditure involved will be heavy.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-With regard to Seiyingpun School, I think there was a committee which reported on that school a few months ago. I think they men- tioned something about the class-room accommodation being deficient.
HIS EXCELLENCY--Yes, but I will deal with the questions riatim. The Lunatic Asylum-We admit it is not fμ ideal place, but it must be remembered that we do not keep European lunatics here per- manently. The policy for some years past has been to repatriate them. Chinese Lunatics were really the only ones per- manently kept in that place, and for them the place was quite good. It is an ex- pensive business to provide a new lunatic asylum, and I think the work might well stand over for the present. The Praya East Foreshore--I am afraid we cannot interfere with the drainage on to that of the military and naval establishments. It would be a very heavy work to under. take. As far as the boat-people are com- cerned, they have their vested interests. Their delving in the mud is certainly a nuisance, but not an insanitary or dus- gerous uuisance; it eroates a smell, but not a smell dangerous to health. The real necessity is to reclaim the foreshore, and I hope this will soon be taken in band. Searching Chinese Passengera. We took considerable pains on the repre-entation of honourable members last year to effect an improvement. We are going into the question again and will consult hon, mem- bers to see if we can do anything more. Teaching of English. We have already taken steps to train Chinese teachers af English at the University. It is a work which will take some little time before we can judge of its utility. The only other alternative is to engage a very much larger number of English teachers, and if we had the means and the will to đó so we certainly could not obtain the men. However, it is a question to the import- ance of which we are very alive and ve will not lose sight of it. We are also exceedingly alive to the question of link-
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