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CHARITABLE SERVICES.
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Under the head of Charitable Ser- vices and the sub-head "Grants in aid of Charitable Institutions," Page 107, my colleagues and I are unanimously of the opinion that a supplementary vote of $3,000-increasing it from $2,000 to $5,000 ---annually, might fittingly be made to the "Alice Memorial and its Affiliated Hos- pitals," which are doing, as your Excel- lency well knows, magnificent work amongst the poorer Chinese, and have done for many years past, and more especially do I venture to appeal for this because this Hospital has been more seri- ously hit than many other institutions by the financial conditions in the Colony and the unfortunate death of our lament- ed colleague Mr. Chau Siu Ki, who was one of its most ardent and generous sup- porters. I understand it was the inten- tion of the hospital to increase its accom- modation to cope with the growing need for additional beds but this has had to he abandoned for the present. I need scarcely remind you, Sir, that the institu- tion provides an excellent training school for midwives for Government purposes. As Chairman of the Hospital for many years I can assure you that the unanimous recommendations of my colleagues are worthy of the Government's support.
We congratulate you on the very satis factory arrangements made in connection with the John G. Kerr Hospital, Cantod, for the treatment of mental cases. The fine work of this institution is unanimous- ly and highly appreciated by us all and for many years past has been of immense service to this Government..
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PREVENTION OF PIRACY.
Whilst regretting it has been necessary abandon the four armed "Patrol launches " which were manned by the Navy, we realise the necessity for this and have always considered that this pro- tection should have been afforded by and is rightly chargeable to the Admiralty. We therefore hope your appeal to the Secretary of State that the heavy sums expended on these launches, by the Colony, should be repaid to us by the Admiralty since they were incurred in connection with the suppression and pre- vention of piracy which is and always has been considered essentially the work of the Navy.
THE FUTURE.
I am one of those, Sir. who have ab- solute faith, that, notwithstanding tem- porary set backs, this Colony has a far greater future ahead of it than anything it has known in the past. Your whole administration here proves that you too have held that view and you have im- pressed us all by your wide views of the future and liberal preparation therefor. Someday we hope Lady Stubbs and you will be able to re-visit Hongkong and see the realised plans and visions of to-day.
HON. MR. CHOW SHOU SON.
Hon. Mr. CHOW SHOU SON: Sir,-My honourable senior colleague has fully and ably represented the collective views of the unofficial members on the Budget, and it now remains for me to touch upon a few points affecting the Chinese alone. HAWKERS' LOIENCES.
My Chinese colleague and I strongly urge that the number of hawkers' licences should not be further reduced. Last year I drew the attention of the Government to the matter, and I then said that in view of the urban area having recently been greatly extended, the number of licences might safely be somewhat increased. I also said that one effect of too drastic a restriction
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