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has been achieved by the Public Works Department under very trying circum- The stances and with a depleted staff. programme arranged for that Depart- ment, as set out in the Estimates now under discussion, is an unusually heavy one, and in my opinion, Sir, there is no reason why the present generation should bear the entire burden of this outlay. In spite of arguments to the contrary, I aan by no means convinced that loans in respect of such undertakings are possible, and I would request the Govern- ment to carefully consider that method of finance with a view to its adoption.
in
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With reference to the Observatory, Sir, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Shipping and General community have a strong feeling that this Institution needs expansion, and would welcome arrangement which would enable the Director to issue more frequent weather reports, particularly the Typhoon Season, on the lines of those issued by the Manila and Siccawei Observatories. The two neighbouring Observatories fre- quently furnish information regarding typhoons ahead of the Hongkong Obser- vatory, and this even in the case of conditions which more closely affect Hongkong. It is recognised, Sir, that with the Institution of the new system of signals more elaborate daily weather reports have been given, but there have often been occasions when the community would have welcomed weather reports or signals from Kowloon out of the ordinary when typhoon weather has been threaten ed in the China Seas and indications thereof have been received from Manila and Siccawei. The time has been reach- ed, Sir, when the Observatory should give more frequent weather reports, and if the presnt state of affairs is due to deficiencies of plant, or funds with which to increase the service of telegrams, I would urge that a grant be made suf- ficient to provide for such equipment, etc., as is usually associated with modern Observatories.
I would renew, Sir, the representations to the Government on the matter of penalties to which Shipping is liable in the event of smuggling operations taking place on board vessels. It has lately been recognized by the Chinese Maritime Customs that they will not take advan- tage of the regulations which have per- mitted them in the past to levy fines on I ships involved in smuggling cases. would urge, as already represented by the Chamber of Commerce, that this Govern- ment should adopt a similar attitude, and where it is shewn that due measures have been taken by the Master, or his Officers, to check attempts at smuggling special consideration should be given to that circumstance, and fines not levied.
I maintain, Sir, in view of the fact that Alcohol is more or less a necessity * Europeans residing in the Tropics, thate tax on Foreign Liquors is exces- sive, and I would, therefore, press for an immediate reduction. I am also of the opinion that the duty on Tobacco, which is more than ordinary creature comfort in this trying climate, might likewise be reconsidered, and, if taxa- tion in substitution thereof is abso- lutely necessary, the Stamp Duty on Agreements for Sale of Property might easily be increased without unduly penal- ising the parties concerned in such trans action.
I should like, Sir, to take the opportu. nity of congratulating the Captain- Superintendent of Police on recent im- provements in the Control of Traffic, which have added considerably to public safety; but further improvement is neces- sary in training men for that particular work. I would recommend that expert
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