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In regard to item 4 on page 12. con. w how it comes about that the estimate ft: 1922, $62,700 so much exceeds the ap- proved estimate of $14,600 for 1921.
THE WANCHAI GAP TRAMWAY.
As regards the projected tramway to Wanchai Gap, the unofficial members would suggest that the question be gone into as to whether it would not be pre- ferable to carry up such tramway (a little to the East of Wanchai Gap) almost up to the top of Mount Cameron, as it would seem posible that, with branch roads (rick- sha roads) at intervals from the stations cn such tramway, an increase could be made in sites available for building at different levels on Mount Cameron, the first station from the bottom being on Black's Link, the second and third at dif- ferent levels above that, and the fourth station being at the top of the Tramway. It may also be pointed out, if it be sug- gested that the time is hardly ripe for sch a tramway, that the tramway would take some time to construct and further- more that, when the present Peak Tram- way was opened in May, 1888, there were then only about a dozen houses in the Peak District and half a dozen houses in the Magazine Gap District. Moreover a tram is obviously the only feasible means of approach enabling those of moderate means to reside in the Mount Cameron District and is also indispens- able for the transport of provisions and other necessaries,
In regard to Public Works_recurrent. we concur in the remarks which will pre- sently be made by the Senior Chinese Unofficial Member on the subject of level- ling the road from No. 7 Police Station to the back of the Gas Works and also as to the desirability from the point of view of the safety of the motoring public, of the Government resuming the Pavilion at the junction of Park Road and Bon- ham Road West.
Dealing now with Public Works Extra- ordinary, seriatim, we have the following remarks to make :-
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(i)-Re item 4, "Victoria Hospital Maternity Block,' we should like some explanation as to how it comes about that the revised Estimate so far exceeds the original Estimate.
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(ii)-Re items 5 and 16, namely new Offices for the Public Works Department and proposed Volunteer Rifle Range, we should like the Government to make it a matter of special urgency to push on with these Works, and also with item 57, the Kowloon Hospital, the commencement of work on which has been very much delay- ed. In fact when the speaker was recent- ly over in Kowloon the site was absolutely untouched by the hand of man.
"Road
We
(in.)—As regards item 21 (0) from Wanchai to Magazine Gap >> should like some explanaion as to why the original estimate for this item was increased from $20,000 to $76,000.
Construc-
(iv.) As regards item 25, tion of new Queen's Statue Pier," this is another of the Works which we would suggest ought to be pressed on, in the in- terests of the public. We understand that the $97,000 mentioned is the total contract price for completion, and we would ask what is the contract date for completion. (v.)-As regards the Praya East Re- clamation Scheme, we regret to learn that the contract time for the completion of his work is 6 years, and we would inquire what steps the contractor has undertaken to adopt re locomotive trucks, etc., for the hastening on of the work.
(vi)-As regards item 74 (e) " Extend- ing Coronation Road northwards through hill (formerly K.F.L. II.)," we regret to see that less progress than had been anti- cipated is being made this year and we would inquire whether the estimated sum of $12,000 for 1922 will complete the work.