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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
which will probably become most valuable. and a part of which may be required for public purposes which were not foreseen when the original plan was made.
Approved.
Fire Brigade
The Officer Administering the Govern- ment recommended the Council to vote a sum of $16,600 in aid of the vote Police and Fire Brigade, Special Expenditure, Difference between cost of two motor pumps ($32,000) and amount provided for
in
the Estimates for one motor pump ($8,400) and one patrol wagon ($7,000).
THE CHAIRMAN-There was provision made for a patrol wagon but the needs of the Fire Brigade in Victoria are urgent and it has been decided to get two more motor pumps for Victoria instead of one patrol wagon. There are three motor pumps, one of which has been sent over to Kowloon. There will now be four motor pumps available for Victoria. The increased cost of the pumps is due to drop of exchange and rising prices at home.
Approved.
New Buoys for Deep Bay Channel
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $450 on account of Har- bour Master's Department, Other Charges. New buoys for Deep Bay Channel.
Additions to Revenue Staff
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3.647 in aid of the vote Imports and Exports Department, Per- sonal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN-It has been necessary, on account of the increased liquor duties and the smuggling of opium to add to the staff one European officer and ten Chinese revenue officers. This amount is required for their salaries.
Approved.
Belilios Girls School
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,500 on account of Public Works, Extraordinary, Buildings, Belilios Girls School-Adaptation and alterations to recently erected teachers' room and existing cloak room to Class Rooms, etc.
THE CHAIRMAN --These are rooms urgent- ly required at Belilios Girls School. The buildings are very crowded and no doubt further work will be required later on. This work is urgent.
Approved.
one
Motor Coaches and Trailer
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $283,000 on account of Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Ex- THE CHAIRMAN-These buoys have dis-penditure, two Motor Coaches and appeared. They have either sunk or Trailer. drifted away and it is necessary to re- place them.
Approved.
Repairs to Railway Embankment
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $4,760 on account of Kow. loon-Canton Railway. Special Expendi- ture, Repairs to Railway Embankment.
THE CHAIRMAN--This is an embankment at the fifteenth mile on the railway. It is hoped in rebuilding to divert the rush of water which comes from the river, and so avert the washing away of the bank. The original work was not sufficiently good.
Approved.
THE CHAIRMAN-This sum is the equi- valent of gold dollars 127,000. Hon. mem- bers are aware of the purchase of two motor coaches and one trailer. This amount is required for the purchase and also includes the cost of sending our locomotive superintendent to America to superintend the construction.
Approved.
Cape d'Aguilar Wireless Station
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,800 in aid of the vote, Post Office, Personal Emolument Salary for Mr. Bradshaw, Superintendent of Wireless Telegraphy, for the period from 1st June to 31st December, 1921.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN-The Government has now to provide the staff for the wireless station at Cape D'Aguilar. This sum is re- quired for the salary of the Superintendent. Other sums will be required later for the staff. The new staff will take over from the Naval Staff probably within the next two months.
Approved.
The Health Officer of the Port
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,012 in aid of the vote Medical Department, Office of Health Officer of Port, Personal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN-This is for leave pay to Dr. Jordan, and is one of the terms for the relinquishment of the post of Port Health Officer. He is leaving the Colony this afternoon.
Approved.
Improvements to Kowloon Buildings
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent. Kowloon, Buildings, Improvements to Buildings.
THE CHAIRMAN – The sum of $1,500 was provided for building improvements in Kowloon. So much work has fallen on this vote including a sum of $596 for electric lights and fans for Kowloon Bri- tish School that the vote is exhausted, and it is estimated that a further $1,000 is required this year.
Approved.
Fire Brigade Equipment
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $680 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, B.-Fire! Brigade, Special Expenditure, one Exten- sion Ladder.
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Police and Prison Departments, B.-Fire Brigade, Special Expenditure, one Searchlight set for No. 1 Fire Float.
THE CHAIRMAN-It was found, in working the fire-float at fires, recently,
that it is very difficult to approach the shore and get the fire-float to work with- out having a search-light at the bow. Arrangements have been made to fix a search-light to both floats. This is for No. 1 float.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-Is it not more important to improve the pumping powers of the float itself}
THE CHAIRMAN-This is to enable the float to get in to the shore. They could not get the float into position, especially at two recent fires,-Bailey's Yard was one case. It is extremely difficult to get the float in at night.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-I think you are aware, Sir, that a report went in to the Chamber of Commerce on the inefficiency of the whole of that fire service.
THE CHAIRMAN-Yes, I did not men- tion this in the various votes we have been having. A report is being drawn up by the Superintendent of the Brigade which we hope will soon be available. A new station is about to be built, Mr. Wolf has studied, at home, the whole question of what is required and is pro- ducing a report.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-I agree, only I hope a good deal more will be spent.
Approved.
Water Meters at Kowloon
The Governor recommended the Coun- cil to vote a sum of $6,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent, (36)
THE CHAIRMAN-This was urgently re- Kowloon, Water Account, (Meters, etc.). quired.
Approved.
Searchlights for Fire Floats
The Governor recommended the Coun- cil to vote a sum of $5,000 on account of
THE CHAIRMAN --Building development in Kowloon has been so rapid that the vote for meters and other services ise exhausted, and it is estimated that $6,000 more will be required.
Approved.