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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Public Works Department.
In the Public Works Department certain votes under annually recurrent expenditure have been reduced, but I am satisfied that the reduced votes should be sufficient to maintain the necessary amount the of efficiency. As regards Public Works Extraordinary, as Colonial Secretary pointed out in his speech, very little new work is contemplated, apart from that, the cost of which is to be paid for from loans. Although the amount allotted for Public Works Extra- ordinary has been restricted to 22 millions, I am in hopes that it will be possible to spend the whole of this during the year. The amount usually provided is rarely if ever entirely spent. No doubt some of you may be disappointed that it has not been possible to commence further desirable works, and I share in that disappointment. In particular for instance I was very anxious to see a new wing added at the Kowloon Government Hospital, and had made up my mind to make provision for this; but I am afraid that I must defer my hopes for another year. Meanwhile, the maternity hospital there, which is a large work, will be proceeded with. While it is not proposed to start any new road of importance, considerable sums have been entered for general extensions and improvements to roads. Hong Kong is fortunate in having considerable mileage of excellent roads, though I cannot but feel that some have proved mere additions. to the amenities of the place, rather than of a developmental nature. No doubt the hopes of development in certain directions have been retarded, owing to general depression.
The Colony appears to me to have greater needs in the matter of such institutions as the Government Civil Hospital, the gaol, the female prison and the mental hospital. It is proposed to provide for the new Government Civil Hospital and the gaol out of loan funds, and an application will be made for assistance for these works from the Colonial Development Fund. I trust that the application will be successful.
My honourable friend Mr. Braga's suggestion regarding an aquarium no doubt has attractions. I should be quite glad to see one, but I am afraid it is an institution which will have to wait for better days.
The Water Supply.
The Colony has passed through many anxious times in respect of its water supply, but I have been greatly impressed by the success with which this essential problem has been tackled. I need hardly say that there is no intention of slowing down on approved schemes, and provision will be made for them out of loan funds. The further extensions of the schemes have been submitted to the Secretary of State, and I expect a special expert to arrive here early in the forthcoming year to assist us with his advice. This is considered desirable, in view of the magnitude of our proposals, and it is possible to arrange for this advice at a lower fee than would ordinarily be
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