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sand, one hundred and five dollars to the public service of the year 1917."
to
Estimates for 1917.
upon the inmates.
to
wa think it regrettable, also, that the maid, he placed in Nathan Rand, nen; present Estimates contain no provaion Church. The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded. for the improvement of the Lunatic From item 39, on the game page, wệ Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Sir, I have been Asylum, which is highly discreditable to asked by the Unofficial Members of the Colony, because its cramped accom- intends to resume the Ferry Piers on the ar glad to note that the Government Council to speak on their behalf in reply! modation and restricted space for exer Victoria and Yaumati-Samshaipo runs, your Excellency's speech on the vise must tend to have an injurious effect and we trust that steps will be taken, by On the subject of Education, we desire! competition, to secure an adequate and throwing the ferry service open to public to state that we consider that the teach regular ferry service to the public. ng of the English language to Chinese! boys in the schools of this Colony is not Works, we should be glad if the Director. Before leaving the subject of Public a good as it ought to be.
Passing on now to the subject of Public! whan the Praya East Reclamation is like-
could give us some information as Works, we have naturally some comments ly to be begun. The foreshore on Praya to make and questions to ask in connec Est, at low water, has been increasingly tion with this important Department, on disagreeable to the sense of smell for some which we are spending 20 per cent of years paat, 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- eliore. Another point which seem 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 Prays and in dustbins in the streets.
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.
we
In the footnote (2) on page 8 of the Estimates, we notice an estimated ex- 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 it 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 complaints have reached some of it 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 Btation, which is somewhat out of the way, for their passes, and the Port Office Building appears to be most contenantly situated for this purpose.
our Revenue,
With regard to item 7 on page 97 For side the City," we desire to expross the improvements to roads and bridges out- 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 Vietoria) Road which are now so much used by motors should be improved both as re- gards blind corners and NODG 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 3 for $15,000, "2nd block of Quarters for Subordinate Officers on Mount Parish ; and, in con- nection with quarters for Subordinate Officera generally, we should like to know whether the completion of all the quar- ters figuring in the present Estimates will conclude the Government's present scheme for the housing of Subordinate Officers or whether further quarters are likely to be required in the near future, and, if so, to what extent.
We approve of the re-casting of the system of accounts of the Kowloon Canton and possible to reduce somewhat the ailway, and we hope that it may be working expenses of this costly under- talang. We would also most strongly are upon the Government the desir ability of vigorously pressing upon the Gling their agreement to link up this Chinese Authorities the necessity for ful- in with the Railway which is now being built from Canton to Hankow.
most
Another point upon which we would ask your Excellency to take action is in rombection with the site for the erection Branch of the European Young Men's of the new building for the Hongkong
Christian Association. It is advisable that a central site, which is cably accessible by ricksha from the landing-stages, should be acquired, and we would, therefore, ask you to approach theBecretary 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 terins.
Under the hoading of Supreme Court, on page 44 of the Estimates, we notice that 1st grade Translator has been replaced by a 2nd grade Translator, and we would urge apon the Government the
press the hope that the residents of this
In conclusion, we would venture to desirability of steps being taken for the
Colhy will continue to give liberal finan improvement of the translation branch of
cial assistance for the prosecution of the the Service, because in the Supreme (vurt
Way and that the local War Loan, which sometimes the whole decision turns upon the correct translation of a single word.
may prove to be a very great success, and has recently been offered for subscription, In a big case, where there is plenty of money involved, probably both sides
we would suggest for consideration that would be able to overcome the difficulty
the Bluking Fund might be invested by With regard to item 3 (b) or page 99, by calling experts as witnesses, but in of $37,500, for the improvemert of that Bonds, so as to yet further aid the War the Government in 8 per cent. Exchequer smaller cases such a procedure would scetion of the Deep Water Bay to Tytam Funds. prove both expensive and dilatory, and Tuk section of road which goes from Hoa. Mr. LAU CHU we would suggest that it should be made Deep Water Bay to Repule Bay, we speaking on behalf of my senior Chineso PAR-- Sir, possible for the Judge, if neither party should like to know what will b., roughly colleague and myself, I beg to emphasize wished to go to the expense of calling the cost of making the remain er of that the remarks relative to the searching experts, to invoke the assistance of some section fit for motor traffic, ar i, similar-Chinese cadet in the Government Civil Servio y in connection with item 8 (c) we in this Colony.
assengers leaving or arriving for the purpose of obtaining a second, should like to know, roughly, hat would complaints brought to the notice of the
From the nature of 14. pinion on a question of disputed trans- be the cost of a motor road from Tytam Secretary for Chinese Allairs, through lation. The subject is a difficult one, but gap down to Shaukiwan it seems clearly desirable that something
Under the heading of Wate works, on
the Chinese General Chamber of Con should be done, and we hope that the page 101, we are glad to see that the addi- narc and from similar repasentations Government may, after consulting with tional Service Reservoir at West Point made to ourselves, it is evident that the the learned Judges of the Supreme Court, and the Tylam Tuk scheme (2nd section) present vystem of searching by the native be able to effect some improvement upon are to be both of them completed in 1917. excimen and pulice is capable of much the present arrangements.
Under the heading of Kowloon, on the improvement. In our opinion thero In connection with the administration same page, wo should like to know whes always be present some responsible of the Government Civil Hospital I, ther the sums of $30,000 and $18,000. ocq to whom the Chinese, when search- intend shortly to bring & resolution under items 29 and 30, represent the ed, would report in case of irregularities before this Council, and it is, therefore, estimated total expenditures on those or to whom they could turn for guidanco unnecessary to discuss such administra works, and, if not, what are such totals. when dispute arises. Many allegations tion upon the present occasion.
We should, also, like to know what are of a serious nature have been circulated theGeneral Works " en roads in Kow for some time amongst the Chinese and loon, costing $22,000, which 34.
are item duly fommunicated to the Secretary for In connection with Kowloon we suggest bring them before the Government in Chin Affairs, who will Do doubt Hunghor Railway Station ought to be deta. On behalf of the Chinese com- that the small children's playground near duerarse. I need not, therefore, go into improved by the erection of a shelter from
ing
In connection with the amalt saving on page 67 of the Estimates, under the head
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 et Canton, instead of to the John Kerr Hospital at Canton, and we must desirability of the alteration.
that the
the weather and by the planting of shrubs mun my senior Chinese colleague and confess to feeling some doubt as to the would also suggest that soLie public seats Goverment will give the, matter early
and shade-trees round the edges. We myse respectfully request
attention, and adopt auch measures as
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