34.
Exhaer from Home and Report of 5-9.29.
24
KAI TAK AERODROME.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.—I move, Sir,
“(a) That this Council approves the construction of the Kai Tak Aerodrome at an estimated total cost of $1,689,467, exclusive of contributions from His Majesty's Government, as set out in Appendix VI (a), Head 2, Sub-head 2, of the Draft Estimates of Expenditure of the year 1930.
(b) That this Council authorizes the sum of $1,080,228.74 out of the said sum of $1,689,467 to be charged to the Public Works (1927) Loan and sanctions the expenditure of this sum of $1,080,228.74 from loan funds during the financial year 1928,
(e) That this Council authorizes in respect of this work an advance from the surplus balances of the Colony of the sum of $78,114.17 in the financial year 1928, of the sum of $466,000.00 in the financial year 1929, and of the sum of $249,500.00 in the financial year 1930, of which sums $297,000.00 is due to be recovered from His Majesty's Government and the balance shall be met from a future loan."
As regards the Aerodrome I regret to have to inform the Council that this Government has been unable to persuade the Imperial Government to increase its contribution beyond the £100,000 already promised. The greater part of the cost of the Aerodrome therefore falls to be borne by Colonial funds and the amount originally provided in the Loan in the expectation of a larger contribution from H.M. Government has proved inadequate. The completion of the Aerodrome, which will ultimately involve buildings of considerable extent if air services develop as we expect them to develop, will be a liability on the future loan. Meanwhile we are completing the reclamation and proceeding cautiously as regards any buildings, but even so it is necessary to ask for this Council's approval of an expen- diture of $466,000 this year and $249,500 next year from the surplus balances of the Colony to be reimbursed from a loan to be raised at a future date.
I might add that from information received to-day the Govern- ment has reason to hope that the Air Ministry will co-operate in the building of a hangar, and although it will not actually save this Government any money it will enable a more satisfactory building to be erected at an early date.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.-I propose that this motion also stand over.
HON. MR. W. E. L. SHENTON seconded.
The motion was deferred until the next meeting of the Council.