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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by com- mand of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table the Report of the Finance Com- mittee (No. 4), and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, next laid on the table a Financial Minute relating to the redistribution of unexpended balances together with additional works to be undertaken under Public Works Extra- ordinary for the year 1924 and moved that it be referred to the Finance Com- mittee.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER second- ed, and the motion was agreed to.
Papers
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by com- mand of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table a number of papers (Nos. 1 to 26) which had been circulated to hon. mem- bera, viz. :-
1.-Rule under Section 3 of the Boarding
House Ordinance, 1917, on 22nd May. 2-Resolution under the provisions of Section 10 of Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 22nd May, 1924. 3.-By-laws under Section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordin- ance, 1903,
4. By-law under Section 16 of the Public
Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903. 5.-Order under Section 24 of the Rents
Ordinance, 1922, on 29th May, 1924. 6.-Order under Section 24 of the Rents
Ordinance, 1922, on 29th May, 1924. 7.--Order under Section 24 of the Rents
Ordinance, 1922, on 5th June, 1924. 8-Regulations under Section 3 of the Vehicles and Traffic Regulation Ordinance, 1912, on 26th June, 1924. 9.-Order under Section 24 of the Rents
Ordinance, 1922, on 3rd July, 1924. 10. The Piracy Prevention Ordinance,
1914.
11.- Order under Section 24 of the Rents
Ordinance, 1922, on 10th July, 1924. 12.-Order under Section 9 of the Post
Office Ordinance, 1900, on 24th July, 1924.
13.-Order under Section 12 of the Rope
Company's Tramway Ordinance, 1901, on 24th July, 1924.
14.-Report on the Assessment for the
year 1924-1925.
15.-Report on the Finances for the year
1923.
16.-Report on the Botanical and Forestry
Department for the year 1923. 17.-Report on the New Territories for
the year 1923.
18-Report of the Superintendent of
Police for the year 1923.
19. -Report of the Superintendent of Pri-
sons for the year 1923.
20.- Report of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for the year 1923. 21.-Report on the Postal Department for
the year 1923,
22.-Report on the Kowloon-Canton Rail-
way (British Section) for the year
1923.
23.-Report of the Harbour Master for the
year 1923.
24.---Financial returns for the year 1923. 25.-Report of the Committee to consider
the advisability of revising the Life- saving Appliances Rules in force in Hongkong for foreign going vessels (Sessional Paper No. 6/1924).
26. Quarterly return of excesses on sub- heads met by savings under heads of expenditure (Sessional Paper No. 6/1924).
Bonham Road School
HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK, in accordance with notice previously given, asked-
1. Will the Government state:-
(a) What progress has been made with the structure of the Sai Ying Pun School?
(b) What is the period covered by the
building contract?
(4
"
(e) Is there a Penalty Clause for late completion, and if so, to what extent ?
(d) When does the Government anti- cipate that this School will be opened, and having regard to the pledges given by the Govern- ment that this work should be accelerated, how is it that pro- gress, so far, has been slow?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied-- (a) The contract for the foundations and retaining wall was completed in March and a contract was let for the superstructure in April, 1924. Progress since that date has been somewhat slow owing to the difficulty of obtaining special facing bricks, which are only ob- tainable from Canton and Amoy.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
(b) Twenty-four months. (c) Yes, $100 a week.
as
(d) It is anticipated that the school will be opened in April, 1926. The work has been accelerated much as possible, but there has been unavoidable delay owing to the reason already stated.
Harbour Moorings
HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked-
2. Will the Government state :-
(a) How many of the new first class Typhoon Harbour Moorings are now available for service 1 (b) When does the Government ex- pect that the whole number will be placed and ready for use in the Harbour ?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied-
(a) None of these moorings are avail- able for service yet. The first set was laid on the 3rd July, but it is necessary to allow a month for the concrete block to settle. The second set was laid on the 16th July and the third set on the 24th July.
(b) It is hoped that all the sixteen moorings will be laid and ready for use by June, 1925.
I would add that the chain cables were ordered from England on the 20th October, 1923, and arrived in the Colony on the 11th April last. The concrete blocks take a month to harden before they are placed in the harbour and a month after laying they will be examined by a diver to ensure that they are sufficiently em- bedded to stand the strain of typhoon weather.
Queen's Pier
HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked-
<<
3. When does the Government expect
to open
Statue Pier and Landing Stage to public service, and what is the reason for the prolonged delay in the completion of this very neces- sary work i
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THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied-
The contract for the entrance por- tion, the last section of the work, was signed in March, 1923. Owing to a slight settlement of the sea-wall on which it was to be erected the com- mencement of this portion was post- poned until December last, pending tests and further work on the founda- tions.
Difficulties are being experienced with the contractors and it is not anticipated that the work will be completed until late in the year.
I take this opportunity of stating that it is proposed to name the pier
Queen's Pier."
Fire Station Building
HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked-
4. When does the Government antici- pate the completion of the new *Fire Brigade Station, upon which work appears to have come to a standstill for a considerable time past, and what is the reason for this!
5. Will the Government lay upon the
table
Monthly Progress Reports" in connection with all the above Public Works ?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied--
Fire 4. The
Station accommodation comprises a portion of the building only. Owing to pressure of work in the Architectural Office and the dif- ficulty of obtaining sufficient staff, it was not possible to complete the drawings and prepare the contract for the superstructure as early as anticipated. A short interval has thus occurred between the erection of the steelwork and the commence- ment of the superstructure. Tenders for this contract were submitted on Monday last, the contract time being 18 months. The building should thus be completed in February, 1926.
5. It is not considered necessary to lay such progress reports, which will not have the effect of expediting the works, but if honourable members wish,
will quarterly reports
be furnished.