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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Another advantage would be that from one of the big Contractors we could get a fixed price for the greater part of the work. If the Contractor made a mistake in his cost calculations the Government would not be in the unfortunate position of having to revise their contract in order to enable him to complete the work.
It is quite unnecessary for me to stress the importance of time in this matter. Our water shortages are too frequent and too recent for us to forget what they mean. Therefore, if one of these big Contractors can guarantee to do the work in a shorter period than is estimated by our Public Works Department, that would be a strong argument in favour of giving the work out. Of course there would have to be a very substantial penalty clause.
I would, therefore, urge upon the Government the desirability of giving some of these big world Contractors the opportunity to quote. We are not bound to accept any of their tenders, and we will be in a position to do the work ourselves if we consider it would be to our advantage to do so. (Applause).
THE HARBOUR MASTER.-Sir,-There are three questions concerning the Harbour Department for me to answer. The first deals with Head 10, sub-head 2-Chain Cables for Mooring $22,960.
When the re-organisation of the Harbour moorings was undertaken it was divided into three parts, each part being undertaken during one financial year. The third part was finished this year. Moorings remain down for three years and it is then necessary to raise, inspect, and renew worn parts. It will therefore be seen that during the years 1930, 1931 and 1932, no upkeep vote was required. This being the fourth year, upkeep is required. This now becomes a recurrent charge in order to keep spare parts available to renew moorings which have depreciated during their three years service.
The centralisating of all repair work, stores, fuel, etc., and the placing of all launch crews on the general list for seniority and promotion has proved to be extremely easy in working and a great administrative improvement.
Under this system
(a) Stores can be obtained in bulk from the Crown Agents which is a great saving on "piecemeal" buying.
(b) Daily supervision is possible by the boatswain of Yaumati yard each morning to see that the launches and crew are in a clean and efficient state.
(c) Accurate check is kept on the consumption of all fuel and stores which are issued.
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