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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
koo Sugar Factory, Aviation and Broadcasting; they have already been dealt with by the honourable the senior member, but I have in addition a number of my favourite schemes, and I will now deal with what I regard as some of our most pressing needs in "this, the most progressive and up-to-date Colony of the British Empire."
Our City Hall.
Are we proud of our City Hall? True it was an appropriate building 40 to 50 years ago and the Colony must still be grateful to a generous Government and public men who provided the site and building. Is it at all in keeping with the present requirements of the Colony? Recently His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester visited the Colony and the Theatre being the most central position was chosen for his official reception--unfortunately the space is so limited that many were unable to receive invitations, almost to the extent of causing general dissatisfaction on such an auspicious occa- sion.
The floors of the reception halls have to be shored up whenever a public reception or entertainment is given the public library and museum must be the cause of disappointment to any visitor who happens to be passing through the Colony.
The late Sir C. P. Chater, for many years a member of this Council, left a very interesting and valuable collection of pictures depicting the Colony's history from the earliest times, and also a collection of china representing a life work, but we have nowhere to house these generous gifts. Surely the time has come when a suitable City Hall, Theatre, and Assembly Rooms, must be provided?
I notice that we contribute the sum of $1,200 per annum to the City Hall (item 211 on page 101), a very small contribution.
Vehicular Ferry.
Year after year, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce refer in their annual report to the need of a Vehicular Ferry between the Island and Kowloon. The Public Press constantly refer to it. Are we any nearer the acquisition of such a means of communication which appears to be only too obvious and which must have a most beneficial effect on the whole Peninsula? What is our position? It appears to me to be a disgrace to the community that it is impossible to get motor vehicles from the Island to the mainland or vice versa between the hours of 7 p.m. and 9 a.m. and then only by very anti- quated means and laborious methods-a mere sop to the public.
Sessional papers have been issued but we seem no nearer a solu- tion. Is it that Government's terms are too exacting or is it that no cut and dried policy has yet been formulated? Is it a Government obligation like a road or is it a matter for private enterprise?