95
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
can
be
Estimates have a thorough revision after now than would have otherwise been the their first introduction. They thus come
case. The small sum for afforestation back to the Council for the second read- bas been mentioned. If it is found ing in possibly a very much altered form. that a larger sum than that provided
This year I am glad to see hon. members
used without have asked for information on certain larger
waste, the sum will certainly be asked points, and have brought forward a num. for. Afforestation in the New ber of most interesting and most useful Territories is an proposals, to which the Government will and if only keenness and assistance come-
important subject, undoubtedly give their best considera from the inhabitants of these territories, tion. With regard to the statement made it is quite possible that this scheme, which by the hon. member who spoke first that is being begun as a mere experiment, may the policy of short leases has resulted in develop rapidly, in which case the Govern. a shortage of houses. I do not know what ment will not hesitate to come to the grounds he has for making that state- Council for more money. What has been ment. A lease of 75 years, with the said with regard to the Fire Brigade will option of renewal for 75 years, cannot be be carefully noted for consideration. regarded as a short period. It is not as
Then, various members referred to several long as a lease practically in perpetuity points under education. I will deal first such as the 999 years' leases given in the
with vernacular education-a subject in early days of the Colony but it cannot be which I personally, am very interested suggested, I think, that a 75 years and was interested for many years before renewable lease, under such circumstances, coming to this Colony. In this Colony 1 would retard a builder in putting up delay which took place in dealing with the have made several suggestions, and any any kind of premises. The policy par- sued in recent years of insisting upon
very generous proposals put forward by an adequate building covenant has had
the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak and others in connection with Confucian schools was, very good results. Pursuing the same subject, the hon. member on my right,
I am afraid, due to my anxiety to try and arrive at a satisfactory arrangement and the hon. member who represents Mr.
when I had so many other things to do Lau Chu Pak, suggested, in addition to that I could not deal with it properly. making roads and opening up areas for Now, it is proposed to give a grant, but building, that the Government should
nothing appears in next year's Estimates level sites, build retaining walls, make because the grants do not become payable drains, and do other things. Whatever until after the close of next year, although the Government may do in Kowloon, these schools come under the grant system. where it may be possible, I think, accord- I think there is no doubt that the Govern- ing to the Government view, it is rather ment will consider the question of not too much to expect on this side. An in- only improving the vernacular schools, as teresting question is whether there might they are doing in the New Territories at not be some give and take in that matter, present, but will consider the question of as to facilitate the carrying out of making them froe or with merely nominal building enterprises with greater speed
fees. The site of the Saiyingpun school than would be the case if the present unsuitable and the buildings as not large for years past has been recognised as system continued in force.
The question with regard
enough for the purpose, but it is felt that Observatory I cannot go into at the it would be a waste of money to spend further sums in trying to improve the moment. I note what has been said present premises. I hope that before long those well acquainted with the sub- the school will be moved to a larger and better site, and then the Government, no ject, and I trust some arrangement may
doubt, will find a good use for the present be arrived at. On behalf of the Civil site of this school. The merits of the pre Service, I would thank hon. members for sent Headmaster are thoroughly recognis what they have said with regard to the ed, and he is a man who will get to the salaries of public servants. It is pro-
top of the tree in the Education Depart- posed that the salaries of the whole Serment without any doubt. The reason for vice should be revised, and the sugges- the difference between the salaries of the tions that have been made on that sub | Headmasters of the Ellis Kadoorie and ject will have the consideration of the Government, probably at an earlier date
SO
about the different stormi
to
the
codes by
the Saivingpun school is merely that it was found opportune to appoint a cer-
is no
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
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With
tain master to the Ellis Kadoorie school. hon. Chinese member who referred to the If he went to another post, his successor series of crimes will receive every con- would be on the same salary as the Head- sideration from the Government. master of the Saiyingpun school. There reference to education again, the sugges
differentiation between the two tion made by the hon. member who spoke schools in that sense. With regard to the first, will receive every consideration. His removal of the restrictions of trade, the suggestion was not for the establishment of a present rules under Import and Export central school for the sons and daughters of are certainly irksome, but they are war Europeans here, but that in certain cases measures. Nothing has been done, as far it should be made possible to send the as I know, to alter the character of Hong children away. Both sides of the question kong as a free port.
have to be considered. I am in entire sympathy with the question relating to a suitable hospital for Europeans. I did not fail to note the deficiency in this
HON, MR. HOLYOAK Permits.
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING | Scuse when I came to Hongkong, and if THE GOVERNMENT - They do not alter the I can do anything in the matter I cer- The road from the Dairy character of a port as a free port. There tainly shall. are no duties except such as are imposed in the Straits and elsewhere.
war
|
Farm to Aberdeen Docks is being widened, and I hope will be fine road before long. The proposal made by the hon. member representing the Chamber of Commerce with reference to the support given to the sidered. The German charitable institu- tions are the Hildesheim Mission for the Blind and the Berlin Foundling Home. They are still receiving this grant of $15,000 in order to enable those in charge
to carry on.
con-
Hox, MR. HOLYOAK—Tobacco.
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING | Allice Memorial Hospital will be THE GOVERNMENT--There is a tobacco duty in the Straits, and the people there are very jealous of the freedom of their port. It was suggested some time ago to alter it. and the suggestion raised a tempest. With regard to the poultry market, if you want a poultry market you can have it at once. We all know the conditions of Ko Shing Street and Li Shing Street. I have been there myself and have seen them, and I should certainly object if I lived there. The site that has been proposed, however, is not a very good one, but if hon. mem- bers are quite clear that they want it at once they can have it there. The clock for the railway tower is on order and I hope it will come out when the restrictions allow. The metal in it weighs over a ton, which brings it within the class of goods which cannot be released at present. I trust we shall get an immediate answer from the Secretary of State with regard to the exchange rate of the dollar for payment of the Navy and Army here. I hope it will be as satisfactory as we all wish. As regards the joining up of the railway, I can only say that we have done everything we possibly can, and I shall be surprised if it does not come before long. We are ready to pay for it, and that ought to have some effect and as regards the Government not being pre- pared and not realising, as it was hinted, the development required here when the rail is joined up. I can say that is not the case, but as with so many other things the war has intervened. As soon as we can see our way, we shall get ready the necessary schemes. The suggestion of the
HON. MR. HOLYOAK - Are the German Superintendents still in charge?
HE. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT- -No. The German adies still remain there and the children and they will have to remain there, I think. Are there any other matters which have been brought forward which I have not dealt with?
HON. MR. BIRD | do not think it is quite correct to say that I suggested that the Government should build retaining walls. I suggested that the Government should provide suitable sites and by suit- able sites I mean sites easy to develop. They should make roads where sites easy of development can be obtained. not suggest that the Government should build retaining walls.
I did
HE. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT—On this side we should have to have great faith and remove moun-
arins.
I will conclude by saying that every possible assistance will be given to hon. members with regard to the Estimates that may be required. All the Govern- ment desires is that interest. should be shown and proposals made which will be of public benefit.