399
where it is. The site, when sold, should scently compensate for the expenses nvolved, as the value of land in that locality has risen to more than $2 a foot, as compared with about (at most) $1 when the last official announcement con- cerning the site was made. Suitable sites are, I think, available in more iso- lated places, such as long the Pokfulum and Jubilee Roads, or somewhere in the neighbourhood of the Kennedy Town Hospital.
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS.
I would bring to the notice of the Hon. Director of Public Works the gradient of that part of Queen's Road West between the No. 7 Police Station and the Gas Works, which renders motor traffic dif- ficult and dangerous. The corner of Pok- fulum Road and Queen's Rest West im- mediately in front of that Station should be rounded off for the same reason. There is at present a private pavilion standing in the junction of Bonham Road and Park Road, which is a source of danger to the public. The site is somewhat in the shape of a triangle, with a very sharp corner on the west side. To make the place worse for traffic, the point is further sharpened by a rockery. The walls and the building on the site obscure the view of people or vehicles going up or down Park Road. Accidents, more or less serious, have already taken place at that spot, and they were entirely due to the existence of this pavilion. Park Road is very much used in going up to Robinson Road and from there down to Bonham Road. strongly urge that the place should be at once resumed by the Government, or if that could not be done (though I do not see why), a considerable portion of it should be sliced off. It is not a ques- tion whether or not the traffic in that locality is such as will justify the cost of the resumption; it is a matter of public danger which will grow in the near future, when the new St. Stephen's Girls' College has been built in the im- mediate neighbourhood.
DEPORTATION ORDINANCE.“
I take this opportunity to say a few words in connection with the Deporta tion Ordinance, recently introduced and passed. Many Chinese view with alarm the possibilities of such an enactment. Under it, any one, whether he is a British subject or not, is liable to de- portation by the mandate of the Execu- tive. I do not say that the law would be enforced arbitrarily, but when it exists, it affords a chance-however re- mote-for its being so exercised. The law, as it now stands, affects certain sections of the Chinese more than it does any other people, more than even the English, for they can return to their native land, whereas the native of Hong- kong and of the New Territories have their permanent homes in these
two places only, and would have nowhere else to go to, if forced out of the Colony. 1 submit this point for the favourable consideration of the Executive so that the liberty and livelihood of the native- born of this Colony may be better assured.
MORE SCHOOLS WANTED.
In conclusion, Sir, I may mention that the Chinese are now very keen on open- ing more vernacular schools for the poorer class of Chinese children. Since the opening of the Man Mo Temple school by Your Excellency many more schools have been founded all over the Colony but their number is still inade- quate to meet the needs of the people. The grant for such schools is bound to in- crease in future years.