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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
September, 1929. Replying to a series of questions I then asked, the Government spokesman stated that the estimated cost of constructing a sewerage system to deal only with Homuntin and to discharge North of the Harbour of Refuge was $50,000, and that a scheme embracing the whole of Mongkoktsui and Yaumati areas was already receiving consideration from the Public Works Department.
At that time proposals had not been sufficiently concrete to be submitted to the Government and much investigation, we were told, was necessary. That was three years ago. Need I remind the Government that residents of Homuntin pay precisely the same taxes as other residents of the Colony? It does not, therefore, appear equitable that they should be penalised to the extent of being still left without facilities for a water-carriage system which from an hygienic point of view is almost an indispensable necessity in these days of modern sanitary requirements. In the interests of the Crown lessees of the Homuntin area I appeal to Your Excellency to have their grievance redressed from the point of view of equity, if from no other consideration.
Residents, not only of Kowloon, but of Hong Kong as well, driving along the Castle Peak Road, had hoped that when the new Warders' Quarters at Lai Chi Kok were being erected, provision would have been made for widening the road at a dangerous corner. They cherished a vain hope, and the corner has been rendered more unsafe for motor traffic than it has been before; for not only was the roadwidth maintained but a wall has been erected on the edge of the road, shutting off what little vision there had been. That more serious accidents have not occurred at this point in the road-I believe there was one case recently-is a tribute to the skilful and careful driving of motorists.
The universal practice in road construction is, I believe, to widen the road at all bends, particularly when the gradient is steep, and to introduce super-elevation on the outside of the curve. Moreover, ample vision should be provided. I suggest that improvements at the first bend going up what is popularly known as Lai Chi Kok Hill are an urgent public necessity, and should be put in hand at once.
The Government is to be commended on the provision of $10,000 for improving Waterloo Road from Nathan Road to the Railway Bridge. Is it to be assumed that the plan is simultaneously to form the road to the East of the existing Nullah in the same way that the road has been completed North of the bridge? When the development of the Homuntin area is completed traffic over this section of Waterloo Road will be very greatly increased.
Touching on the question of roads, I am again driven to a reference to Sai Kung Road. I am aware that certain members of this Council do not share my view that the laying-out of money in
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