Council
3
Whilst warmly commending the Govern ment (and especially the Acting Colonial Secretary) for the steps which have been taking for the provision of additional bousing accommodation at the Peak, the middle levels, and Kowloon, we have the following criticisms and remarks to make, numbered 1 to 2, respectively:-
1-We trust that the Government will strictly enforce the penalities for non-com- pletion by due date of all houses and flats sowards the erection of which the Govern- ment has advanced money.
2.--We regret that it has not been found possible, in the distribution of the million dollars in loans for buldng, to allocate some of the moneys to persons who are building for their own occupation, as we consider that owner-occupiers are worthy of every. encouragement by the Government, and we venture to express the hope that it may be found possible for the Government shortly to set apart (possibly out of the proceeds of sale of the old Post Office site) a sum of 3 lacs of dollars to assist persons to build houses of modest type and reasonable cost for their own occupation, provided that proper security is given.
With regard to building development in the neighbourhood of Wanchai Gap, we notice with astonishment that the Hill Tram- way to Wanchai Gap, for the construction of which a sum of $150,000 was inserted in the Estimates for 1920 does not figure at all in the Estimates for 1921, and we are at a loss to understand the reason for the omis sion, as obviously a tram from the low level to Wanchai Gap is an indispensable prelimin- ary to the development of the Mount Came ron District, which cannot be effectively, opened up by motor roads only. We pre- sume that the Goverment has had a sur- vey made of the route of such projected tramway and a rough estimate of the cost thereof, and we should be glad of informa tion on these points.
In your Budget speech of last year (at Page 90 of "Hansard" for 1919) your Excellency referred to this subject as fol- lows:--
"It has become very desirable to open up new sites for residences in the Hill District. The only part of that District so far entirely undeveloped is Mount Cameron, and provision is made under Item 17 for beginning the constraction of a Tramway to Wanchai Gap which will provide a rapid means of access both to Mount Cameron and to the hills between Wanchai and Magezine Gaps."
4. We are disappointed to find no re- ferrence in your Budget speech to any nego tiations with the Military Authorities for the release of the Military lands on Nathan Road, Kowloon. As has been pointed out more than once, sites on that road which are eminently suitable for residences are being occupied by stables for mules.
5. We hope that the Government will do every thing in its power to expedite the speedy commencement and vigorous prosecu- tion of the Praya East Reclamation.
6-We trust that the extension of the Ho Mun Tin Colony and the development of the area of land at Kowloon Tong on Garden City lines will be pressed forward by the Government.
7. We also trust that the Government will give its assistance to the Kai Tack Reclama- tion scheine by pressing on with the inau guration of the Kowloon East Ferry Ser- vice and the Motor bus service to Kowloon City.
With regard to the question of whether there is a shortage of houses in the Colony, there are to houses, so far as we are aware, to let for European occupation in any part of the Colony south of Coronation Road, and it is a well-known fact that the Hotels are so full that passengers arriving here by large steamers are frequently compelled to stay on board.
As regards the City Expansion of the Colony, we are very "glad to note from indications in Your Excellency's speech that the Military Lands Question has taken a decided step forward since the matter was debated in this Council on 29th January last, and we earnestly trust that the Mili- tary Authorities will continue to co-operate heartily with the Government of this Colony in expediting the procuring for the trade of this Colony, by which we all live, & much needed area for expanding our office and business accommodation
In connection with Harbour Develop- ment, we are glad to extend a welcome to Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice, and we hope that bis investigations here may result in im- portant developments of the shipping facili ties of this Colony.
As regards commercial wireless, we would ask Your Excellency to appoist a eroall Committee (which we would suggest should consist of the Colonial Secretary, an Un- official Member of the Council, and the Commodore or an Officer deputed by him) for the purpose of discussing and reporting on the feasibility of utilizing the Stone- cutter's Island installation for commercial messages during certain portiong of the 24 hours, whilst paying due regard to the necessities of His Majesty's Service.
Ae regards our finances generally, we would once again urge that it is not fair to the present Colonists that the entire cost of Public Works of a permanent character should be paid for out of current revenue, and we would advocate that short Loans should be raised for such purposes.
So much, Sir, for the united views of my colleagues and myself on the subject of the Budget
I am now going to add a few remarka of my own, in which my colleagues do not concur, in regard to one item in the Budget, namely, the proposal to make the motor road from Magazine Gap to Chamberlain Road. In the first place, Sir, I venture to ques tion the necessity for this extension because all those who are living in the neighbour- hood of Chamberlain Road can easily take the Tram down to the lower Tram Station, and from there they are in touch with all the other parts of the Colony which are accessible by motor. One argument which I havo heard against this contention of mine seems to be too paltry for serions consideration, namely, that the motor-owner, whether he goes east or west, will have to spend ten minutes in travelling through China Town. Another argument which I have heard used in that it will he much pleasanter to travel from the Peak to Ro pulse Bay over the new projected road entirely on the high levels, instead of start ing from below. This argument, though better than the last one, does not, in my opinion, justify the making of an expensive road, while we have in this Colony other urgent public matters requiring not merely the expenditure of revenue but also the services of our none too large Public Works staff.
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