1921-11-15 — Page 12

13

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Continued from Page 9.)

Sure

w) woud not be ready-made and "access same would be costly, I would be the st person in the Colony to wish to

with the Dairy erfre

Farm Company's tivities or to stunt its growth in any Vay, because I fully realize what a tre

endous asset "it is to the 'olony, but 1 anor and will not believe that it would il to furish elsewhere. It will take ine and trouble but t

that oner or later its removal must come bout. The Government Servants are Bow ing provided with good houses at low hals, and, as the Seizor Unofficial Mem. ver said, it is to be hoped that the pre. nt programine will complete the supply far as the Peak is concerned. Many ¿ the · Grms have lurchased houses for aple staff and are letting them at reason. le rents, but apparently in provision being made for the men to whom refer- eting been made, and whilst it would em that accommodation on this side is referable on account of accessibility, if i gro ad is not available we must look Kowtoon. The railway there frotu Junghon to the Tunnel mouth might be of the nature fnd with small houses

iggest de later on the foot hills around Ning's Park will doubtless be made

able by

of roads. mans of

In this onnection would

ask that the site suk- sted for the New Kowloon Cemetery be at adopted. Some day that valley will equired for a recreation ground and the bill and slopes surrounding it will covered with houses. I agree with you, ir, that we should take a long view of he future position both as regards the stand and the mainland. The census hows a continued increase in the Euro- wan and Chinese population, and it seems ncredible that Hongkong should stand 1 may be accused of bring over ptimis ie, but no pessimist ! ever met vas endowed

Crks

9 Caesaragh" anything that seenzed

njoy the Weights.

to look upwards und

Both the uptaker nud the down tooker, Sir. may be apt to bump into the lampe sts of reality, but I believe more good * done in the world by optimism than by he reverse

THE HON. MR. A. G. STEPHEN.

THE COLONY'S FINANCES,

10

The Hon. Mr. A. G. STEDES ( Thr senior mintheta) member ungh iny two molicial colleagués lave dealt so ably and in such detail with the various items of the Budget that do nut pro- pose to do more than invite your 'eum- sideration to a few of the wider aspects of the finances of the Colony. Although his is considered generally to be a ightly taxed community, living expenses uve increased enormously during the ast fifteen years. Menf of the Foreign Community of moderate means find it lieult Dve decently and provide for he education of their families at home, hile the labouring classes, although heir wages have terrased. an etter off than they formerly were. arious factors account for this since he war the value of money has deerensed all pse the world, but I think the prin zápas reason here is the great intrease nents which has affected all classes. and hip the Government will very seriously consider the remarks which Tave been made by Mr. Bird. The daverument dealt with this question last atman-ervluctantly I am sure, as it is, As a rule, not good policy to inter- fere with Ale ordinary law of supply -and demand. But think the root of the trouble should be sought for. It is matter of comnon gossip that here is a ring of contractors here in ombination which has forced up the goal building beyond all reason. The rer of one service to the community reacts on the price of everything else, ind. until housing arcommodation is ailable for all classes at a moderate a. Hongkong can never regain its old

putation as a cheap part.

It appears to me that the Budget has torta breu Framed with almost sole zard the amount of money which the 2.W.D. can expend. Some months ago you rised the rutes and when, in the ourse of a few weeks you found the W.42. were not likely to spend so much was expected, you lowered them again. If you brease that establishment so hat the Public Works in hand can be nors, expeditiously proceded with, you ill following the precedent of recent ers, have to increase your taxation to whep pace with their activities. I think that principle is entirely wrong; the vernment in creating WIRE WIE D An mously valuable property in Kow

and on this island by its various rihimes of road-making and reclamation, d it is at the same time living from haul to mouth. No Municipality and no Government 1 have ever heard of havo atmpted Extraordinary Public Works to the extent you do here and try to reet des rust out of current revenue.

Hongkong is now, perhaps, the most important port, politically and other wise, in the British Empire. It is the foundation of our foothold, of our in- Auence in the Northern Pacific. It has grown out of all knowledge during the Fast 30 yeurs, and if anything can be certain, it is that the progress of long- kong must pantium at a much greater rate in the future than in the past. Taking a large view, I think it is high time that the Government took in hand sohome of scientific town planning. I ave no doubt but that the excellent but erworked oficials of the P.W.D. have planned ahead considerably. Town plan- ning is a special art, and they cannot expected to devate enough time to his, even if any of them had the neces ary experiones. I would suggest, there- fore, that a town planning expert should engaged to draw up a scheme to pro- ide for the expansion of the Colony or the next fifty years. Expenditure on Public Works could, bo regulated accord. g to this plan, and it could then be levided what would be a fair proportion the cost that the present generation hould bear,

The Colony has no debt to speak of d assets of enormous potential valuo;: it is in fine position and ita crédit unds very high, and if borrowing were hand to be necessary, which it adul

Fosfor some years at least, it could

Aure, monoy on most favourable terms. All the great British ports of Asia are String from the inek of fmvesight of is generations Hhanghai is a the Drama Aunno, and, enormously expensivo..

carlimptions of land have to be mado ravide for Increases in traile. Our

predecessors built as if they expected no development to speak of. The Dutch, on the other hand, had wider views; the Stadthouse in Batavia built 250 years ago is still efficient for the purpose för which it was built, and the town of Batavia and the other cities in Java áre so planned that no expensive resumptions of land for street widening purposes are ever 'necessary. One of the first things Americans did when they occupied the Philippines 20 years ago was to engage the great town planner, Burnham, to tay out Manila City, which is growing up on the lines laid down by him which provided for expansion for centuries to come. I think the time has come for us to follow their example and discon tione' this hand-to-mouth policy. It will very likely be found that if we abandon the policy of scrambling to overtake the expenditure of the P.W.D., it may be possible in time to remit a considerable percentage of the present taxation.

LOANS SUGGESTED.

MR. A. O, LANG'S VIEWS,

The Hon. Mr. A. O. LANG: Sir, Following the remarks of my. Un- official colleagues regarding the vari ous questions raised in connection with the Finance Bill, I desire, in the first place, to record my appreciation of what has been achieved by the Public Works Department under very frying cireum- stances and with a depleted stall. The programme arranged for that Depart ment, as set out in the Estimates now under discussion, is an unusually henvy one, and in my opinion, Sir, there is ma reason why the present generation should bear the entire burden of this outlay, In spite of arguments to the contrary, I a by no means convinced that loans in respect of such undertakings aro me posgible, and I would request the Qoyevn. carefully consider that method of finance with a view to adoption.

With reference to the Observatory, Sir, the Chamber of Commerce, aad, the Shipping and General community have a trong feeling that this Institution needs expansion, and would welcome some arrangement, which would enable the Director in issue more frequent weather reports, particularly in the Typhoon Season, on the lines of those issued by the Manila and Siccawei Observatories. The two neighbouring Observatories fre quently furnish information regarding typhoons ahead of the Hongkong Ohser- vatory, and this even in the case of conditions which

more closely affect

Hongkong. It is proognised, Sir, that with the Institution of the new system of signals more elaborate daily weather deports have been given, but there have often been occasions when the community world have welcomed weather reports or signals from Kowloon out of the ordinary when typhoon weather has been threaten. od in the China Sens-and indications thereof have bera væcived from Manila and Sicenwei. The time has been reach- ed. Sir, when the Observatory should give more frequent weather reports, and if the presnt state of affairs is due to deficiencies of plant or funds with which -to inerense the service of telegrams. I would urge that a grant be made suf- fielent to provide för such equipment, ede, as is usually associated with modern Observatories.

I would renew, $b, the representations. to the Government on the watter of penalties to which Shipping is liable in the event of smuggling operations taking place on board Yssels. It has lately been recognized by the Chinese Maritime Customs That they will not take advan- Lage of the regulations which have per- mitted them in the past to levy fines on ships involved, Insanggling cases. I would urge, as already represented by the Chamber of Commerce, that this Govern meni should adopt a similar attitude, and where it is shown that due mensures have hiren taken by the Master, or his Officers, to check attempts at smuggling special consideration should be given to that erentnstrace, and fines not levied.

* LIQUOR AND TOBACCO.

iutain, Sir, in view of the fact thil Alcohol is more or leas_n_necessity or Earopeans residing in the Tropies, thate tax on Foreign Liquors is exces- sive, and I would, therefore, press for an immediate. reduction. I am also of the opinion that the duty on Tobacco, which is more than ordinary creature coufort in this trying climate, might likewise be reconsidered, and. if taxa. tion in substitution thereof is abso lutely necessary, the Stamp Duty on Agrements for Sale of Property might ensily be increased without auduly pennl ising the parties concerned in such trans- action.

1 should like, Sir, to take the opportu. hity of congratulating the Captain- Superintendent of Police on recent im- provements in the Control of Traffic, which have added considerably to public safety: but further improvement is neccs. sary in training men for that particular work.

I would recommend that expert tuition in the regulation of traffic-be arranged for at the Police Training School, and that the more oflicient mem bers of the Force be tetained for duty in the busy centres of the City. I fully realise that the Police alone.cannot make a success of traffic control, and I would make an appeal to the general public, both Europeans and Chinese, to co-operato with the Authorities in this somewhat difficult task. There is one point, on which I would like to iny stress, though it might not be considered to come with. in the strict definition of traffic work, viz. the inadequate provision of Polica officials at theatrès, cinemas and other

·plucci of public entertainment, and I. would suggest, Sir, that the defect be remodied without delay.

AUPPRESSING TILFERAGE.

The Harbour Police, was the subject of a discussion at a recent meeting of the Committes of the Hongkong. Chamber of Commerce, at which the Captain-Super, intendent of Police, who kindly attended,» outlined . scheme, which, if brought into effect, will result in increuacd police. supervision and consequent reduction in pliferage from ships and lighters 16 is satisfactory to note that provision has been made by the Government, for ino" ̈· fæet død up-to-date launches tu facilitato this Harbour work, and I trust the com „bitiod efforts of the Police'and the Skip- "plug" dad. Wharf Companies - will prove educessful in erndïenting an" agit which has become notorious in recent years.

· Improvements in the Fire Brigado are also a source of satisfaction, and, with the completion of the Now Station, with

THE CHINA MAIL.

its up-to-date applicances and additional personnel, the service will bo móró in keeping with the requirements of a large city. understand. Sir, that, in addi tion to the equipment already on order in England, the Superintendent in his report has recommended the purchase of a further motor-pump and a second turn- able laddor, and, while I am fully aware that appliances of the nature indicated are expensive, i la imperative in a densely populated place like Hongkong that safety should be the first considera tion. I would appear that the water pressure in certain districts of Hongkong and Kowloon is totally inadequate, and this is a mintter which should receive the immediate consideration of the Govern ment, for without a suitable supply of water at up-to-date Fire Brigade is a mere waste of money. In view of the proposed expenditure on the Fire Brigade. 1 hardly feel justified in recommending Any further increase, but sooner or later the question of adding to the Fire fight- ing equipment afloat will have to be seriously, considered.. Negotiations are, I believe, at present proceeding with pri vate concerns, owning tags, fitted with fice puls, etc., whereby the same will be available in ense of any serious out. break on the Harbour, and while such ah ́ arrangement may be satisfactory ne a temporary measure the acquisition of a modern motor fire-float should not be lost right of.

With regard to the Sayingpun School, Sir, I shall be glad if the Hon, Director of Puhlin Works will furnish us with definite information as to when a com. mencement will be made with the new building. I understand a pledge has gim i two different occasions that this work would be put in hand without delay, but so far nothing has been done. It is st that the School is now so hopelessly overcrowded that immediate Retion is meesstry, and would, there- fore urge. Sir, that operations be start- ed as soon as possible.

1 unde stand that it has been euB- tonary for some years past. for the Gov- cracat to assist the Altee Memorial " Hospital with an annual donation of -8300, but in view of the excellent and ver-increasing work carried out by that Institution, I would recommend that not legs than $1,000 per annum be voted in Future

In these times of unexampled commer cial difficulties 1 congratulate the Govern ment on being able to lay so satisfactory

Budget before the Council, covering, as it does, so many works and so much progressive development for the future gond of the Colony. At the same time I cannot refrain from remarking that the degree of taxation is much heavier than in the past, and venture to repeat the warning already sabuitted by the Cham. ber of Commerce that a halt should be enlled in the levy of increased taxation,

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.

NEXT YEAR PROGRAMMME.

at

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said: There have been so many questions pul this afternoon that I must ask hon. members to exense me if I am not able to deal with them as fally and com "pletely as. I should like. Reference has been made to the very heavy programin of the P.W.B., and it has been said that we shall not be able to carry it ont-that a good deal will be left over. I think that is likely to prove a very fallacions idea. This year, nearly every work that is shown in the budget is more or less in course of materialisation, aud I do not think the hon. and learned member will have to complain next year that we are not asking for enough money. The Tramway to Wanchai Gap may be extremely desirable and it has been painted out that before the Peak tramway was opened only twelve sites on the Peak upon on the Peak and six Magazine Gap wore occupied. There are none as Wanchai Gap, neither will the tramway open up a single site along this road. This scheme nay, very well stand over for a year or two more. The road from No. 7 Police Station to the Gas Works, which has been referred to would hardly come under the head of "Public Works Recurrent." A scheme was evel- ved two years ago, but it awaits develop. ment of the land on one side of the road. To do anything before then would be too expensive. As to to the Victoria Hospital Maternity Block, the amount, $135.000, should not have been in the original estimate; it was intended to cover only that year's expenditure. The expenditure this year in 280,000, which the Maternity Block represents $177,000. It is also proposed to remodel the hospital and staff quarters, which has not yet been commenced."

of

The traffic road from Wanchni Gap to Magazine Gap was put down at $20,000 and was corrected in last year-to $76,000.

do not know why the $20,000 was in serted. It does not approach the prob able cost. There is a thousand feet of retaining wall with an average height of 16. and a naximum of 35ft, so that the catimutes of $70,000 which appeara in this year's estimates is not an unduly high figure. The amount put in the estimates for Queen's Status Wharf was $80,000. This is the amount which it is anticipated wil be spont this year; it does not include anything for the super- structure. The Government has pro- egoded with the piling while the drawings for the superstructure are being prepar ed. As to the Praya East reclamation schemo, the contractor has ordered Deenuville wagvas and rails and the requisite length and weight of rails for locomotives. Tonders for locomotive wheels, and axles are at prosent being considered by the contractors, and it is untiaiputed that orders for them will be placed this month, the whole to be de- livered in four months' time..

Men while the Doosuville wagons will bo worked by manual power, The contract time of six years hardly scous too long for the scopo of the work, although a great deal of the res, will be brought lato use before that time. As regards Coronation Road, the sum of $12,000 will finish the work and it is anticipated that it will ho finished by March next With regard to the dibpbeno, fog signalling Installation at Waglan, only enli Amount of building work is being done.. The chief expenditure de in plant, there- fore, no contract has been invited for the building its being done under the Cannial contract for 'sninti works and wil

be "rendy, when the machinery arrives. about the end of the year. As to the "refuse dump at Cheung Sha Wan, instead

of the total amount of $40,000 only

$5,000, the amount which it is proposed to shond this year, is given.

With regard to the houses on Severn Road and the tennis courts there, this work, was begun in November, 1010. The total expenditure to date is $138,867, of which the tennis courts cost, approxi- mately $17,8000, As to the question

Why soparate tennis courts "it was considered that houses of this character should have a tennis court; moreover we had to get filling for the road and' this undoubtedly had an influence in arriving at a decision. There is n penalty clause of $50 a week but it is not proposed to inflict the penalty ns the delay in completing is not due to the fault of the contractor, but to non- arrival of atores from England. More. over, it has only been a short delay. One house will probably be completed two months ahead of time, and two houses about a month behind time. The total cost is something under $60,000, which I think members will agree is very reasonable for the character and quality of the houses erected there, and compares very favourably with other work of similar character. It has been said that it is inadvisable to sprend money over su any items, but the number of contracts in the Gazette of the last few months shows how much work is unavoidable. It is not 4 cast of a stupendous pro- gramme which has no chance of being inished in its entirely, Of course. several jobs will continue into another year at feast, but a great deal of the work in the programme will be com- picted.

As to the necessity of building houses for Government servants, I might men- tion that a man arrived a couple of days ago and there was no nevommoda- tion for him; he is living at the Hong- kong Hotel at daily rates. We have bern told that the Public Works Depart inent sets up a high standard in regard to this accommodation. I do not think the buildings are any better than they should be, and there are no frills." As to the report on the tramway to Wanchai Gap this related to levels and formation drawings, but did not refor to the equipment which would very likely he two or three times the estimate for the rails. With regard the Un Long scheme referred to by the Hou, Mr. Lau Chu Pak, that has been receiving a great deal of consideration. Mr. Carpenter, the Assistant Director of Public Works, has been to several public meetings of the people interested but it is a big scheme and will take some time to bring into operation. It provides for buud- ing in a great deal of land and making. it available for cultivation. One of the points that makes it difficult is that all The gentlemen in the district are not quite in agreement with Mr. Lau's scheme and they do not like it. It is taking a little time to persuade them which sebeme co support. There is, no question of enforcing the Building Ordi- nance all over the New Territory, but there are one or two places in which it would be better if it were enforced more than it is. Un Long, one of our biggest towns, is one of those places. A good deal of gambling and speculation goes on in the hope that Government will have to resume the land, and immediately it becomes known outside the office that #scheme of development is on handi laud seems suddenly to acquire more value. I understand that some of the poor villagers are buying land at $300

an ere.

As to the martuary at Shektonglati, this was, at first, more or less hidden away in the country. Then three or four homes were built near it. It was ut a case of a mortuary being set, out down amongst houses; the houses came to the mortuary. The Government agreed to pay half the cost of removing it if the people interested would pay the remainder, and I note that one of the people concerned is now building close- to the mortuary at Kowloos, and he. told, me last week that he is sending in a proposal asking the Government- to remove that mortiary, Park Road, which has been referred to, is certainly narrow, and i think it is a pity that the site to which Mr. Lau referred was sold some years ago, but there are not many motor cars using the road.

As to land sales by private treaty, I am afraid the suggestion made by Mr. Bird would give an opening to a good deal of collusion. The suggestion as to Kowloon cemetery is receiving con- sideration and sketches for dealing with. it are being prepared. With regard to the water supply a water pipe across the, harbour is a thing that may possibly have to come in the future. The matter of scaffolding workers seems to be a real grievance at the present time. The prices being paid and the wages they are de manding certainly seem to me excessive.

As to dumping conveniences, provision is made in the Estimates, and it will mean practically doubling the Praya at certain points. The Government have given other facilities in the last or three years and we are getting a rather valu- able reclamation at West Point by reason of it.

With regard to the Hon. Mr. Stephen's remarks about town planning, I would like to point out that the Government have not gone on the hand-to-mouth way that the bon. member suggested: There has been very complete town planning for Kowloon for many years, and I my- self laid out a systein of monuments in- dicating streets-some of them at that time in the sea on the lines of the work I did at Brooklyn in the United States on a town planning scheme there. When you build a town like Victorin on the shoer side of a precipice I do not think. English town planners would do vory auch botter than we have done. "As to resumptions, the number that we den! with for streets widening is insignificant.. The Kowloon Town Development Scheme in a caso in which land is privately owned by small persons and has to be resumed in order to be parcelled out again under a town planning scheme. These are the resumptions which are bought up by. speculators as soon as it is known the Government is coming in. As to walor pressure as soon as the demolition work has been completed a big miklu will be brought down from the Reservoir into Kowloon and this will increase the pres sure throughout the whole district. A to the Balyingpun School 1 am hoping that an exchange of land will be arrived at withingtheidaxt month."

The COLONIAL TREASURER explained, in reply to the Hon, Mr. Pollock, why the Sum of $300,000 for the University, did not appear al a liability in the state- ment of the liabilities and assets of the Colony, in regard to the question of tuans he thought the best answer to the

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 121.

Hon. Mr. Stephen's remarks was that the Colony had no need of loans.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

PEAK ROAD TO VICTORIA GAP,

The Hon COLUSIAL SECRETARY: At the opening of 's speech the Hon, and learn- ed member representing the Justices of the Peace refered to the form of the Estimates,

expecially Aegards the abstract on pages 5 to 12, and asked that an extra column should be put in showing the rovised eat mate for the current year H.E. THE GOVERNOR: Page & contains information which the hon. member de sirne,

Tho only question in whether it is worth while extending the system to pages 6 to 12. I am inther doubtful whether it will bo.so

The

COLONIAL SECRETARY: The second sug gostion that was that a column showing the estimated east of works should be placed Public Works Extraordinary. It is sometimes possible to put in the estimated cost of works and sometimes it is not, and to put in an estimate which is quite inaccurate would probably be more mis leading than having no estimate at all. The matter will be re-considered and may be posible to put in a number of total estimates. Coming to the hon, mem- ber's remarks on the Wanchai tramway project and on the continuation of the read from Wapchai Cap to Victoria Gap. I would like to sny, in the first place, that suggested the making of the tram- way to Wancha Gap and had had it in mind for years before making the tion.

I realised then that it probably would not

pay it might prove an expense and would certainly yield no return on capital expenditure for a number of years. It would, however, he so useful in developing the district by carrying build- ing material

up to the surrounding area and would also be of use to a large num her of passengers who would use it for geiting to such a central point as Wan- chai

fap and by visitors to the Colony that now think we should get quite à good return from the beginning, and as development proceeded we should get some return on capital and be able to regulate the fares in the public interest. I realised that no private Company could be expect. ed to embark upon such a venture. which would probably cost about four lakhs. and that therefore it should be done by the Government. I put the project for ward and it has got to the length of the routes having bren sarveyed and entain- plans for its construction having been prepared. Although at the Finance Com mittee it was omitted from the Esti- mates for next year it may be possible to finish the plans and to arrive at some estimate of the total cost. With regard the Penk Rond I end say that I personally had nothing to do with it. It was a pro- ject that never appealed to me, and I was with the hon. member in thinking it was wholly unnecessary. But I have become entirely converted, and I consider the rond to the Peak and as far as Victorin Clap, and possibly in the future much farther than that is an absolute neces- sity. I will refer to an answer given to the hon. member by the Colonial Secre

The hon. member whether the Government would' ke a vote of residents fo whether the road was required, and he also wait el to know what was the estimated enst of making the raad when,

Ah estimate was obtained. The answer given was that "the Government is not prepared to take such referendum es suggested because the construction of the road has bee approved by the Legislative Comeit. Th road will be of the greatest value not only A4 a means of access to all words of the Peak eventually by motor e-hicles, bat also it will reduce the east of en ringe of Foad and building materia's to at least one-half the present p

I world ask

sary on April 14th.

A

the hon. member to note that way a'so have the desirable result of lessening considerably the employment of wonen and children in varrying burdens to the Hill distric. The new alignment of the road will make it possible to construct. branch roads connecting other portions of the Hill district with the lower laval it was further stated that the Public Works Committee of the Congo) AL a. meeting held on October 5th, 1920. unanimously recommended the construc tion of this road at an estimated cost of $86.200. At a further

of the

·Committee held on 1921. change in the route was recommended at A revised est mate of $118,000. Since then have

Ա

the uncfficial-members of the Cotigua-

considered most carefully the tion of the road to Victoria Gap and have approved that being done. I consider it' ís essential that we should hare this rad, not only for the reasons already given in that answer but for other reasons. There is the question of access to the Penk during hours the Peak Tram is not running, urgent cases in which doctors are required and the tremendous help it wou'd be in removing baggage up and down the Peak at a very much lower rate than at the present time. consider that in view of the Report on Child Labour. recently presentel, that the removal building material to the Peak at a very low rate and getting rid of the child labour used for its transportation is of the chief reasons why this road is going to be of very great public benefit. Every day shows it is going to ho 4 far more valuable areat to the Colony than it was ever thought or suggested it would be

ono

The hop. member referred to tho, vote of 8800 for District Officer South and suggested it should be increased to $5.000 for expenditure in the island of Cheung Chau. The $500 is of similar character to the vote for the District Omeer North for helping to carry into effect small public works such as small-bridges and paths. It is a vote of a very special kind. and is doled out in quite amall amounia, It is of great help to the people of the district when small work has to be done with their own

wn labour and not under supervision. As regards Cheung Chau appreciate very much what has been donn by the fow foreign residents there in the making

of naths and improving the por tion

of the island in which they live, and if it should appear necessary to use publie futids

to supplement their efforts "that can be considered and a special vote taken for the amount required."

The rez

hon member re Text question on

the

forred to was the running of the ferries to Shamstipe and Yaumell, and he want- ed to know whether the Government getting enough from thoso" dvd they pay in a

Vory

For one, but before the period of the present lense

rts which will be fourteen mantlis. hance,

The halo

will have to be vory carefully "Considered. When the forry was started quite a short lense, was granted in order that the Government, :: might have a free band when the expari.

ment had shown what was necessary ins the future,

The hon. molhor mentioned the onon.... ing up of Kings Park for building sites.

Hon, members will remember the project we had for building about 40 houses but the project had to be dropped, owing to the larger question of the transfer of nibtay cstablishments. and the uncer tainty as to what arens would be required. As regards the large sum spent on pro- v.ding quarters for Govorument I cannot quita follow the hon. member either in itement or in his request to the Government at the end of it. The houses that are being built are expensive, they are be

ng very well built because it has undoubtedly feen proved that to build houses of good maiorial, which will re- quite only a very ginal outlay annually in repairs, is a far better policy than to put up houses which will always be n heavy expense. Some of the houses we have put up may be considered rather Too large, and in some cases I think that is 10, but I emsider it not a bid thing to err a little on the side of being too Age rather than too small. Besides, they are built in situations and in such a panners to ensure the health of public officers and that

1.

annecessary for ossibly will make it to take leave as frequently as they. have

owing to reasons of health. As regards the Government building quters not already projected.

can

give no guarantee because there are a good many o l'eers who have no at the present time. The policy of ing quarters was started on the of the barked upon it, and with the

of State for the

ний не

quarters

build

housing difficult arising since I do not think there is any question if sites are available that we shall

go on building quarters for public officers until we have housed the whale Service. I do not follow the hon. member's argument at all.

The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK:

May have an opportunity of answering that?

H.F. THE GOVERNOR: You will be out of order.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY: In regard to buildings in the New Territories referred to by the hoa, member on my left (Hon. Mr. Lai Cha Pak) very simple regula ticas have been drawn up. The last thing we desire to do is to harrass the peopin there, but if a man builds a house more than two storeys high we have some duty to these who live in the house le ser that it does not fall down upon them. One paint which the Hon. Mr. Bird re- ferrel to related to the water supply and. the neity of bringing a pipe across the harbour. The time may come when that may arise.. I hope the hon, member dors not suggest that because the Director of Public Works had thought it might b necessary to make use of the rider mains system in the Western district, that it was das to any shortage of water supply. We have an abundant water supply, but there happened to be a difficulty-a short- uge of pipe. The means of getting water that particular district when it was wanted were lacking. The question of bringing water from the mainland may have to be considered in

few years, as His Excellency stated in his speech on The

Estimates.

The removal of the Dairy Farm is, ́Ï ́ think. not a practical possibility. There are many reasons why it is inadvisable to remove the Dairy Farin from the island- where there is such a vast population and where it has been carried on so satia- factorily. We may, however, get con- serable areas at Pokfuium for building

any way.

without injuring the work of the Dairy Wih rezned to the proposal to build houses

along the railway from Hunghom to the mouth of the tunuel, the Kowloon TONE

scheme will provide for building houses at a low rent. Those who build there are to have the land prepared for them, and they will get it under certain restrictions.

The

The question of removing the site of Kowloon cemetery will be enquired into,

The hon. member representing the Chamber of Commerce referred to the p-sable increase of the Government con- tribution to the Alice Memorial and Afiliated Hospitals. That will be con- sidered. It will probably he better if the Hospital makes an application if sup- ported,

2

The question of an international recrea- tion club at Little Hongkong is being dealt with very fully by the Government. promoters of the enterprise have got all the information before them and it is now for them to say whether they will go on with it or not. I think it will be. an excellent plan. but it will require con- siderable expenditure which I do not think was contemplated when they formu inted the scheme..

KING'S PARK RIFLE RANGE.

COLONEL DAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

Colonel DAVY: The Hon. Mr. Bird has dawn attention to the danger of using the Kowlcon Rifle Range and has given instances of eertain narrow escapes. It niny be, perhaps, a relief to those, con- gernod to know that a few days ago the General Officer Coremanding gave orders that as far as the regular troopa in his Command were concerned no firing should take place on the range. Of course, if the Colonial Volunteer troops continue to use the range it will be on their own responsiblity. Ая regards Mr. Bird's suggestion, it might be possible to divort the range to eliminate this element, of danger. The project has not really been considered from that point of view. but I know the locality pretty well and I think I am right in saying that that suggestion impracticable. The fact is that a rifle range in King's Park now is tantamount to a rifle range

in Regent's Park, London. It is quite out of place. The fact that no actual fatalities have occurred is, die to the fact that until quite recently the aren behind the batts has been sparsely inbabitated, but recent developments in that ures have created a situation which was not contemplated before,

is

H.E. THE GOVERNOR,

GOVERNMENT. AND' PRODUCE EXCHANGES,

H.ETH GOVERNOR: After the full discurs on which has taken place, it may perhaps be unnecessary for me to debl very fully with any of the questions, but there are one or two points upon which Thould like to make a few remarks. With regard to the statement read by Ho Mr. Pollock for Himself and his colleagues as to inserting an additional column added estimated expenditure to complete work at seems to me that the Co'on'al Boorotary rather misunderstoo what was proposed. It looks to me 950fess that page would be somewhat overloaded if we word to insert flint columin." I think, on redeation, the hon. inember will agren It is not necessary. The pago a'raddy contains a dolumn for revind estimates and aleo a column for the total,

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