48
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN-This has already been approved by the Finance Committee. The recreation grounds were damaged by floods last year and this $2,500 is re- quired for certain parts. The Clubs con cerned have paid for special work requir- ed by them.
Approved.
Machines for Railway Workshops
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $7,030 on account of Kowloon-Canton Railway, special expen- diture, additional machines for work- shopa.
THE CHAIRMAN explained that the re- commendations for these lathes were made in April last year, but the machines were not delivered until too late to be in- cluded in the accounts for the year.
Approved.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,620 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, special expenditure, new carpenter's shop, Hung- hom.
THE CHAIRMAN-$13,000 was included in the estimates of 1922 for this work. It was revoted in 1929, and again this year. Owing to the rise in prices the work has actually cost $25,611.31. The balance is now asked for.
Hos. MR. HOLYOAK inquired what the position was as regards the railway at the present time.
THE CHAIRMAN-We can only run our local services as far as Lowu.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-As far as finances go, are we economising?
THE CHAIRMAN-We are economising in that we are not consuming so much coal. We are keeping an account of our losses under the railway agreement. Whe- ther we shall be able to recover our loss due to the closing of the Chinese section I cannot say.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-W are pass- ing large votes for the rail ay.
THE CHAIRMAN-These extensions of the locomotive workshops during the past few years were all approved and under- taken before the Chinese section stopped running. We trust, as everyone trusts, that the stoppage of through traffic to Canton is merely temporary, and we feel we have to be fully prepared to under- take full through traffic as soon as the line is opened. Repairs to the line have been made recently and so far as I know, trains can be run over the line. The condition of the stock of the Chinese line does not admit of their running through trains at present and we wish to be in a position to help them with through traffic immediately the line is open again.
The vote was approved.
P.W.D. Vote
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $272,000 in aid of the | following votes:
Public Works, Recurrent:-
Hongkong, buildings, main-
tenance of buildings......$ 52.000.00 Hongkong, buildings, 2, im-
provements to buildings. 12,500.00 Miscellaneous, 18, typhoon
and rainstorm damages.. 162,500.00 Kowloon, buildings, 27, im-
provements to buildings 10,000.00 New territories, buildings.
42, improvements buildings
to
5,000.00
Public Works, extraordinary:
Miscellaneous, 49,
laneous works
Total
miscel-
30,000.00
.$272,000.00
THE CHAIRMAN-I would ask that this financial minute may stand over as fur- ther sums are required.
Approved.
Whitfield Sanitary Depot Pier
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $20,000 on account of Public Works, extraordinary, Whitfield Sanitary Depot Pier.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN-This is a revote of a sum included in the 1923 estimates but not expended.
Approved.
Married Quarters for Weihaiwel Police
49
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-I don't think this is the final vote, Sir.
The vote was approved.
Travelling Expenses for Harbour Officials
The Governor recommended the Council
The Governor recommended the Council to vote of sum $11,000 on account of to vote a sum of $1,770 in aid of the vote Harbour Master's Department, In- Public Works, extraordinary, Kowloon buildings, married quarters for Wei-bai-
cidental expenses. wei Police at Mongkok Police Station.
THE CHAIRMAN-This has already been approved by the Finance Committee.
Approved.
Government House Furniture
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,000 in aid of the vote, Governor, other charges, furniture.
are
a
THE CHAIRMAN-I think hon. members aware of the fact that large sum is required to put the furniture in Government House in
proper order. During the war, very little was done, and now it is proposed to get rid of a large amount of furniture which is quite worn out.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-I believe it was advocated by the the hon. members · two years ago.
HON. MR. BIRD- Will this vote bring it up to date ?
THE CHAIRMAN-I understand that it has been gone into by the Public Works Department and this will do it.
THE CHAIRMAN explained the vote as being for travelling expenses for senior officers. The matter had been very care- fully considered.
Approved.
The Care of Lunatics
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,600 in aid of the vote Charitable Services, grants in aid of Charitable Institutions, John G. Kerr Hospital, Canton.
THE CHAIRMAN-This has already been agreed to by the Finance Committee. It is payment for taking in more lunatics than were expected.
Approved.
P.W.D. Unexpended Balances
The Committee considered the Preliminary ¡List embodied in the Financial Minute relat- ing to redistribution of unexpended balances of Public Works Department votes for the year 1924, and agreed to the adoption of the proposal therein.