HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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For instance, the revised estimate for 1929, $3,321,768 on page 12, is not repeated on page 100.
Are we to understand that this latter figure and not the approved estimate for 1929, which appears as $3,988,388 on both pages 12 and 100 is being paid for Military Contribution this year?
In connexion with Military Contribution, we should also like to know whether such Contribution is paid upon profits from the Colony's sales of investments. We submit that it is seriously open to question whether such profits ought to be subjected to Military Contribution.
Seventy Foot Road Between Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay.— We see from the Estimates for Public Works Extraordinary (Item No. 18 on page 84) that, a sum of $15,000.00 is budgeted for in connexion with a small portion of this road.
The portion of the road from Ah King's Slipway to the South China Athletic Association Bathing House is one of the most difficult and dangerous roads in this Colony, and we consider that the continuation and completion of this road for the full dis- tance between Causeway Bay and Quarry Bay should not only be taken in hand, but should be completed without further delay. In fact we regard it as most unfortunate that the work on this road should have been delayed for so long.
We notice on page 88 of the Estimates (Item 110) that it is proposed to construct a new road from Kowloon City to Saikung at an estimated cost of about $1,170,000.
Whilst we are of the opinion, that having regard to the great rapidity with which the Kowloon Peninsula is developing it is desir- able to provide facilities for further development and expansion, we are of the opinion that there are a number of schemes far more pressing than the proposed Saikung Road, and which need putting in hand and completion before this proposed road is brought under consideration. Many of those schemes we are indicating to-day. For the above reasons, we are of the opinion that it is premature to proceed with the proposed Saikung Road.
It seems to us a complete fallacy to suppose that the opening up of motor-roads, with pleasant building-sites on them, must necessarily lead to building development, and in this connexion we need only point to the Tai Po Road, built thirty years ago, the Castle Peak Road, the short road over the hill to Repulse Bay and the Shek O Road.
We see, from page 100 of the Estimates, that it is suggested that a Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve should be created in this Colony and that in the coming year a sum of $28,265 is there budgeted for as the first year's expenditure.
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