b.6.1.
1. Ger.613
5.8.38.
2 works
Cents aft programme of majes pletive wo
to be commenced during
likely
which are the next few years.
The Governor forwards a programme of major
public works which are likely to be commenced during
the next few years. These are set out in detail
in the enclosure to the despatch.
Briefly, the total
(See 53934/38)
(see para. 5
of 1 on above)
cost during the next five years is estimated at
$13,135,000 which will be spread fairly evenly over
the five years. :
This amount does not seem to me excessive
and the annual cost is about the same as the average
spent on Public Works Extraordinary during the last
five or six years. The separate items of
expenditure all seem desirable and necessary and I
think it is satisfactory that a comprehensive plan
for several years ahead should have been drawn up.
As far as the rebuilding of Government House and the
plan for City development are concerned, we have
already approved the form and the whole scheme will
be financed by the sale of Crown land.
$3,000,000 of the total is for the
erection of a new infectious diseases hospital and
for an extension of the Kowloon Hospital. I think
there is no doubt that these are necessary and Hong
Kong has already proposed an increase of its Medical
staff to deal with its many urgent health problems.
From the financial point of view I think
Hong Kong can afford these works, the cost of which
are to be met from Revenue. The Colony is, at the
present, benefiting from a temporary boom and has
received