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should show definite reservations for the different communities with a view to de- termining the type of houses suitable to particular areas, stablising values by Preventing encroachment of a poorer class of property, concentration of and economy in water supply, drainage, light- ing, scavenging, etc., suitable to the dif- ferent classes of property, and the pro vision of modern sanitation with water supply from Government mains for all European dwellings, The plans should also show the areas divided up into build- ing lots of dimensions suitable for in- dividual enterprise, varying in size Bay from 7,000 to 20,000 square feet.
It is thought this would be a more efficient way of meeting the housing problem than building Hats--anyhow on the Kowloon Promontory, which will one day be among the most valuable sites in Hongkong. Housing accommodation is most urgently needed by those residents whose incomes vary from $400 to $700 monthly. For such incomes there should be provided houses in which a family can be brought up, and the monthly rent of these houses should vary from $60 to $120. I see no chance, under present conditions, of build. ing such houses on the Bowen or Wanchai Gap Roada. The Government would save considerably, not less in expense than in trouble, by loaning at a low rate of interest to reputable residents in order to admit of their building their own houses as is done in other countries and as was wisely suggested to this Council by the Hon. Mr. H. W. Bird last year. So long as private persons can do better with con tractors than the Government-and I be- lieve most people will agree that under the present system they can—the Govern- ment and the public will both be best Berved by a system of loans for building purposes Government plans. The security would in every instance be a Bount business proposition. Purchasers of all lote should be required to produce proof to the authorities of their intention to build to approved trpe within, say, two Fears of purchase. Overhead rail-less trams, to begin with and bus or tram after wards as r- quired could bring residents from any distances to and from the Ferry Wharf, thus efficiently and easily opening up the ad- joining districts. It is by such methods that great cities of the Empire have been speedily built and the time is com- ing for similar developments in this Colony.
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We appreciate that Your Excellency has not yet had time to make a personal
inspection of the various portions of the Kowloon Peninsula, and I, therefore, mention one or two matters for the favour, in due course, of Your Excel lency's consideration, as affecting this and future budgets. Swampy areas suc Vaunati Station to be filled in from the ag Kowloon-tong and Farm Lot 6 near
adjoining hills. These works will prov profitable undertakings for the Govern ment, not to mention the general health of the community. The Mortuary at
Yaumati to be removed to some more remote site. The Chinese brothels at the junc tion of Gascoigne and Nathan Roars to be removed. The Chinese latrines on Nathan Road the best road we have in the Colony to be removed. Rearrang ment of War Department land and this applies as much in Hongkong as in Kow. Toon. I do not doubt that these and other urgent matters will be at once apparen! to Your Excellency when visiting this dis trict
CONS
In the Harbour Department we hope t is intended to re-open the Peak Signal station, rightly closed down in quence of the war, but which the shipping as well as the general community would now like to see restored to its former sphere of usefulness. We also hope that the Government will institute wireless position finders and/or diaphonce, as used in European and American waters with most satisfactory results,
Cap D'Aguilar and Gap Rock. This matter. as affecting the China Coast, is to be brought before the Conference of Cham hers of Commerce by the Hon. Mr. Dod. well to be held in a few days at Shanghai. and we should like to see this Crown Colony lead the way in this important matter affecting the safety of the travel ling public
on
As regards the continued reduction of revenue from the Opium Monopoly, it is probably not known to one elector or politician in ten thousand, and it might interest some of them to learn, that in spite of the various exchequers having been deprived of the legal revenues from this trade there is as much, and perhaps more, trade in opium, certainly more illegal trade, than ever before, and we read newspaper reports from reliable source of whole districts in China under the cultivation of the poppy. Thus the revenues which the Government formerly
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Toceived so far as the import of opium is In conclusion, while endorsing the con concerned have been handed. multiplied gratulations of the hon. the senior ten and a hundred fold, to a vast commu unofficial member to Sir Henry May, aity of smugglers, whose ramifications and the Hon. Mr. Severn and their fellow organisation are little short of amazing workers. I would also tender to Your The substitute for the gradual suppres- Excellency our congratulations on the son of the pium revenue is a serious lucid mauner in which you laid this matter affecting the continued prosperity Budget before this Council after only a of this Colony, and it would certainly few days' residence among us which appear that things will go from bad to augur well for the continued prosperity worse, if the British Government con- of this Colony, to which H.R.H. the tinue to gradually relinquish the control Duke of Connaught once happily referred of this trade.
in Hongkong as one of the brightest jewels of the British Crown."
It is hoped that Barker Road Hospital has been made permanently available for maternity cases. as originally intended So, long as it has refused these cases it has remained guilty of having obtained funds from the public under false pre tences, since the Government has never denied that this was one of the main ubjects for thig Hospital in the first in stance.
I entirely agree with the hon. member for the Justices that we would all like to see the Defence Corps disbanded, re- rganised and more in charge of men who have served their country with distinction at the Front. It would also be a move in the right direction if employers would insert a clause in agreements that young men coming out from Hone to their ser vice are expected to join the local Defence
•Corps.
I would respectfully draw your Excel lency's attention to the present matabed covering of Statue Wharf which detracts from what would otherwise be the most handsome landing-place in the Colony. It may be, however, that this matter is in abeyance pending the decision with regard to a victory War Memorial in the Colony.
1 must especially endorse the Hon. Mr. Lau Chu Pak's remarks, particularly as regards the intended joining up of the anton Railway with the Rowloon Line, and would add the completion of the Railway from Shuichow and Changsha, Sooner or later, the Canton Chinese officials must appreciate how much the present generation is lusing by their failure to complete this work, which could be arranged to-morrow if approached in the proper spirit Prosperity lies at the door of Kwangtung and Hunan for the asking.
The Government's Replies
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS--I will endeavour as far as possible to reply to the various points raised by the unofficial members with regard to Public Works. The hon. senior unofficial member referred to the fact that. in many cases, the estimates for the original cost. or the revised estimates for the total cost of the work did not appear in this vear's Budget. Hon. members must hear in mind that the work of the P.W.D. has been carried on under great diffi- culties during recent years. Works have been postponed. It has been impossible to increase the staff and, indeed, memberg of the staff have been taken off and sent home for active service. Works have in consequence, been allowed to accumulate but now they are being brought forward and inserted in the estimates as rapidly as possible. It means, sir, that either the estimates for many of these works must be mere guesses, which is very inadvis able, or it means that they cannot appear in the estimates at all. Hon. members have urged the necessity of providing housing accommodation and, in a number of cases these works are concerned, either directly, or indirectly, with the question of housing Accommodation. Reference was made by the senior unofficial member to the items under Miscellaneous Drainage Works in connection with the mosquito nuisance. That is a matter which will doubtless be more easily dealt with by the Sanitary Department than by the Public Works Department. With regard to the question of housing. I would like to state that since 1814, 42 new quarters have been provided for subordinate officers and 2 additional quarters have been obtained by purchase, whilst flats on Caine Road for married Police Officers
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