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renders assistance-not necessarily mone- tary-but by free grants of land in the New Territory for experimental farming -cattle, chicken and vegetable in order that we as a Colony may be more self contained and less dependent on others for our fresh food supply. There are thousands of acres of suitable land there which could be utilized for this purpose, And I believe if the Government were to shew its sympathy in such enterprise the pioneers would be forthcoming.
PUBLIO WORKS DEPARTMENT.
Last year I drew attention to the entire lack of any attempt to indicate clearly the names of our streets. When later on I was asked to inspect some sample labels I had hope that action was about to be taken. On enquiry as to why nothing further had been done, information is given me that this very necessary work has now been cancelled, or at any rate postponed. It is incon- ceivable that the few thousand dollars involved would embarrass the Govern- ment, and I would ask that this work be proceeded with. Perhaps the twelve thousand dollars to be spent on the Geological Survey could be utilized for this purpose.
It is satisfactory to note that money is to be spent on more efficient lighting throughout the Colony, and it is to be hoped this work will be carried out with- out delay. Whilst on the subject of lighting may I suggest that the big bunyan trees in Nathan Road be re- moved and replaced by small and more suitable trees. The cutting down of any trees is to be deprecated unless absolute- ly necessary, but these banyan trees, fine though they are in themselves, are unsuitable for lining roads. They grow too quickly and their roots spread too widely. The trees in question have grown to such an extent that they meet in the middle and entirely hide some of the street lamps. Moreover, they encroach to a considerable extent on the road-
way.
to
motor
No item appears to be allotted to the improvement of the road to Taipo," where there are several bridges which
dangerous positively traffic. Let us hope no serious accident occurs before these bridges are widened and the approaches improved.
are
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
On many occasions the Unofficials of this Council have urged the adoption of refuse destructors, and I am glad to hear my honourable Colleagues pressing the matter again. We have been told in the past that these contrivances are not suitable for Hongkong. You will pardon me, Sir, if I say that answer does not satisfy me. I have it on good
destructors authority that these used to very good purpose elsewhere, and We
trial. should give them Mechanical contrivances of all descrip- tion should be employed where possible so as to eliminate the human element as much as possible.
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I am afraid, Sir, that none of my remarks suggest retrenchment, my ex- cuse being that I cannot see that the financial situation is such as to neces- sitate applying the axe to works which are urgently required. In your Budget speech last year, Sir, you stated that you saw no necessity to maintain our balance at a higher figure than five million dollars. Our estimated balance at the end of this year is five million three hundred and fifty-five thousard. The maxim of cutting ones coat accord- ing to the cloth in hand is sound pro- vided there is no more cloth available.
This, however, does not appear to me
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