sand, one hundred and five dollars to the public service of the year 1917."
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded. Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Sir, I have been asked by the Unofficial Members of Council to speak on their behalf in reply the to your Excellency's speech Estimates for 1917.
on
On the one hand, we desire to express our gratification that the Revenue of the Colony has proved of an expansive nature and has thus enabled us to have a fairly full programme of Public Works. On the other hand, we cannot, in view of the precarious nature of some of our sources of Revenue, afford to launch out with too great freedom, especially in view of possible unforeseen expenditure which may have to be met in connection with the War and other matters.
ex-
we
In the footnote (2) on page 8 of the Estimates, we notice an estimated penditure of $13,000 for 1916, and hope that that sum represents the last payment to be made to the contrac- tor and shall be glad to know if this is so. As regards the suggested increase in the Staff of the Exports and Imports Department, we agree that such an in- crease is urgently required for the purpose of obviating delay, and we would urge that it would be a great convenience to the mercantile community if a Branch Office could be established in a central position, such as the Post Office Building. In connection with the searching of passengers at the wharves for arms and opium we desire to state that serious complaints have reached some of us, and we trust that means may be found to remedy such abuses, which are a hind- rance to the river-traffic of this Colony.
We would also suggest that it is a great inconvenience for travellers to be obliged to go up to the Central Police Station, which is somewhat out of the way, for their passes, and the Post Office Building appears to be most conveniently situated for this purpose.
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We think it regrettable, also, that the present Estimates contain no provision for the improvement of the Lunatic Asylum, which is highly discreditable to the Colony, because its cramped accom- modation and restricted space for exer- cise must tend to have an injurious effect upon the inmates.
On the subject of Education, we desire to state that we consider that the teach ing of the English language to Chinese boys in the schools of this Colony is not so good as it ought to be.
Passing on now to the subject of Public Works, we have naturally some comments to make and questions to ask in connec- tion with this important Department, on which we are spending 20 per cent. of our Revenue.
With regard to item 7 on page 97 "For improvements to roads and bridges out- side the City," we desire to express the opinion that this item, which stands at the same figure as in former years, is not sufficient in amount. While we approve of the motor road being extended beyond Deep Water Bay on its way to make a circuit round the Island, we consider that it is of far more pressing and urgent importance that the present roads out to Deep Water Bay-namely, the Pokfulam Road, and the Jubilee (or Victoria) Road, which are now so much used by motors should be improved both as re- gards blind corners and some of the bridges. We think, also, that the road- way between the paper-works at Aberdeen and the road to Deep Water Bay should be widened and improved.
Coming now to Buildings (on page 99) we are glad to note that the quarters for Subordinate Officers at Happy Valley are to be completed in 1917, and that the Extension to the Central Police Station is to be more vigorously proceeded with. As regards the next item of $35,000 for accommodation for the Imports and Exports Office, we should be glad to know what is the estimated total cost of the work, and we would ask a similar ques- tion with regard to item 5 for $15,000,
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night be placed in Nathan Road, near the Church.
From item 39, on the same page, we re glad to note that the Government fintends to resume the Ferry Piers on the Victoria and Yaumati-Samshuipo runs, and we trust that steps will be taken, by throwing the ferry service open to public competition, to secure an adequate and regular ferry service to the public.
as
to
Before leaving the subject of Public Works, we should be glad if the Director could give us some information when the Praya East Reclamation is like- ly to be begun. The foreshore on Praya East, at low water, has been increasingly disagreeable to the sense of smell for some years past, and, if this Reclamation is not likely to be begun soon, we would suggest that the drains and sewer pipes might be led further out along the fore- shore. Another point which seems to require watching, from the Public Health point of view, is the raking about by poor Chinese in the stuff deposited in dust-boats on the Praya and in dustbins in the streets.
I We approve of the re-casting of the system of accounts of the Kowloon-Canton Railway, and we hope that it may be found possible to reduce somewhat the working expenses of this costly under- taking. We would also most strongly arge upon the Government the desir- ability of vigorously pressing upon the Chinese Authorities the necessity for ful- filling their agreement to link up this line with the Railway which is now being built from Canton to Hankow.
Another point upon which we would ask your Excellency to take action is in connection with the site for the erection of the new building for the Hongkong Branch of the European Young Men's Christian Association. It is most advisable that a central site, which is easily accessible by ricksha from the landing-stages, should be acquired, and we would, therefore, ask you to approach the Secretary of State for the Colonies upon the subject of a grant of a site in a Central situation being made to the Association upon easy terms.
2nd block of Quarters for Subordinate Officers on Mount Parish "; and, in con- nection with quarters for Subordinate In conclusion, we would venture to ex- Officers generally, we should like to know
press the hope that the residents of this whether the completion of all the quar- Colony will continue to give liberal finan- ters figuring in the present Estimates willcial assistance for the prosecution of the conclude the Government's present scheme for the housing of Subordinate Officers or whether further quarters are likely to bo required in the near future, and, if so, to what extent.
Under the heading of Supreme Court, on page 44 of the Estimates, we notice that a 1st grade Translator has been replaced by a 2nd grade Translator, and we would urge upon the Government the desirability of steps being taken for the improvement of the translation branch of the Service, because in the Supreme Court sometimes the whole decision turns upon the correct translation of a single word. In a big case, where there is plenty of money involved, probably hath sides would be able to overcome the difficulty With regard to item 8 (b) on page £9, by calling experts as witnesses, but in of $37,500, for the improvement of that smaller cases such a procedure would section of the Deep Water Bay to Tytam prove both expensive and dilatory, and Tuk section of road which goes from we would suggest that it should be made Deep Water Bay to Repulse Bay, we possible for the Judge, if neither party should like to know what will be roughly wished to go to the expense of calling the cost of making the remainder of that experts, to invoke the assistance of some
section fit for motor traffic, and similar- cadet in the Government Civil Servicely, in connection with itein (c) we for the purpose of obtaining a second should like to know, roughly, what would pinion on a question of disputed trans-be the cost of a motor road fr m Tytam lation. The subject is a difficult one, but gap down to Shaukiwan. it seems clearly desirable that something should be done, and we hope that the Government may, after consulting with the learned Judges of the Supreme Court, be able to effect some improvement upon the present arrangements.
In connection with the administration of the Government Civil Hospital I intend shortly to bring a resolution before this Council, and it is, therefore, unnecessary to discuss such administra tion upon the present occasion.
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In connection with the small saving on page 67 of the Estimates, under the head ing Support of Lunatics Abroad," we would ask why the Government has re- verted to the old practice of sending Chinese lunatics to the Chinese Autho rities at Canton, instead of to the John Kerr Hospital at Canton, and we must
War, and that the local War Loan, which has recently been offered for subscription, may prove to be a very great success, and we would suggest for consideration that the Sinking Fund might be invested by the Government in 6 per cent. Exchequer Bonds, so as to yet further aid the War Funds.
Hon. Mr. LAU CHU PAK-Sir, speaking on behalf of my senior Chinese colleague and myself, I beg to emphasize the remarks relative to the searching of Chinese assengers leaving or arriving in this Colony. From the nature of th complaints brought to the notice of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, through
Under the heading of Water vorks, on
the Chinese General Chamber of Coin page 101, we are glad to see that the addi-merce, and from similar representations tional Service Reservoir at West Point
to ourselves, it is evident that the and the Tytam Tuk scheme (2nd sect
tystem of searching by the native are to be both of them completed in 1
en and police is capable of much Under the heading of Kowloon
Fimprovement. In our opinion there same page, we should like to
hould always be present some responsible ther the sums of $35,000 ar
fficer to whom the Chinese; when search- under items 29 and 30, repr
d, could report in case of irregularities estimated total expenditures on those to whom they could turn for guidance works, and, if not, what are such totals.when a dispute arises. Many allegations We should, also, like to know what are of a serious nature have been circulated the "General Works" on roads in Kow- for some time amongst the Chinese and loon, costing $22,000, which are
uly communicated to the Secretary for 34 (b).
Chinese Affairs, who will no doubt ring them before the Government in due course. I need not, therefore, go into details. On behalf of the Chinese com- unity my senior Chinese colleague and myself respectfully request that the
item
In connection with Kowloon we suggest that the small children's playground near Hunghom Railway Station ought to be improved by the erection of a shelter from the weather and by the planting of shrubs and shade-trees round the edges. We
confess to feeling some doubt as to the would also suggest that some public seats Government will give the matter early
desirability of the alteration.
attention, and adopt such measures
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