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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
These works will result in a good broad road being in existence at the end of next year from Kowloon by Castle Peak and Fanling back to Kowloon, a distance of over sixty miles. It is expected that much development will take place in consequence both for residential and agricultural purposes. The road from San Tin to Lok Ma Chau Police Station will be useful for police administration, the present path being narrow and liable to flooding.
Under Drainage a sum of $20,000 has been provided for drains in connec- tion with building operations, and a sum of $27,000 is entered for water mains at Shanshuipo.
In the Post Office under Other Charges the abolition of sea sorting on board P. & O. packets has reduced the share of the Mail Subsidy by £600; this is still further reduced by higher exchange and a saving of $10,640 is shown. It is estimated that higher exchange will also result in a saving of $25,000 in Transit Charges. There are increases in Coal and other items amounting to $3,050, but against these are set decreases of $500 and $1,400 in Stamps and Incidental Expenses, respectively. The vote for Stores, D'Aguilar Radio Telegraph Station, was over-estimated last year and
has been reduced by $5,435.
tor abolished.
In the Kowloon-Canton Railway, under General Charges, Personal Emoluments, it will be noticed that the post of Inspec- of Station Accounts has been Under Maintenance of Way Works and Stations, Other Charges, there are
in- creases of $350 for Fastenings, $225 for Points and Crossings. $150 for Roads and Crossings, and $2,400 for Sleepers, as it is anticipated that a large number of renewals will be required next year. Against these are set decreases of $700 in Ballast, $2,200 in Bridges and Tunnels which have undergone biennial repairs and renovation this year, $250 in Main- tenance of Signals. $75 in Plantations, $650 in Repairs Staff Quarters and $1,050 in Repairs of Station Buildings, so that the total Other Charges has been reduced by a sum of $1,500. Under Locomotive, Carriages and Wagon Ex- penses, Personal Emoluments, there are several small additions to the staff, which are set out in Appendix III. Under Other Charges there is a large increase of $32,000 for Coal which has been reduced from 7,000 to 6,000 tons in quantity. There are, however, reductions in other votes which bring the net in crease to a sum of $29,328.
Under Traffic Expenses. Personal Emo- luments, the post of Head Guard has been abolished and a new post of Station In- spector has been created with a view to the better supervision of Chinese Station Masters. One 6th Grade Telephone Clerk has been added for night duty. Charges" have been reduced by $4.801 in all, the Commission on the Transport of Goods amounting to $3,000 being deducted before estimating revenue.
"Other
have
Coal for the Fanling Branch Line is estimated to cost $1,750 more and the votes for Fastenings and Sleepers have also been increased Other items been reduced so that the net increase is $1,895. I regret that this Branch Line shows no sign of being able to pay its way. The estimated revenue for 1918 is only $10,100 and the estimated cost is $13.898. It may be necessary to close the fine unless its productiveness increases.
Under Special Expenditure a vote of $3,000 is inserted for a Motor Trolley for the better supervision of the track by the Engineer of Way Works and Stations. platform awnings. The erection of these A re-vote of $60,000 is included for the
has been much delayed by the difficulty experienced in obtaining the necessary steel work from England. Votes amount ing to $12,985 are included for other constructional works. The huts for
pointsmen and gatemen are considered all times and in all weathers. The vote necessary, as these men have to be out at for New Fencing is required as the wooden fencing which has not been re- newed since the commencement of the sidered necessary to provide quarters at railway now requires renewal. It is con Lo Wu for the staff at Sham Chun Station, as there is no living accommoda- tion for them there and it is considered desirable that the staff should live in British territory. The pipe line at Taipo requires complete renewal, as it has been found to be much corroded and choked approach road to Yaumati necessitated up. Improvements are required to the
station, while the vote for Roads and by an increase in vehicular traffic at that Crossings is required owing to the greater use that is now made of these crossings.
Under the heading Charge on account of the Public Debt a considerable saving is shown in the Interest on the Consoli dated Inscribed Stock, the Crown Agents' Charges and in the Sinking Fund, amounting in all to $29,137, which is due to higher exchange. The vote of $10,000 for Service of the War Loan is not re- quired.
Venue
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
94
sum of over £13,000 and have expended locally for the working parties and in other ways a sum of $81,030.
The Jockey Club sent to St. Dunstan's Hospital a sum of £3,900 and £100 to the Blue Cross Society, while the St. Andrew's Society and the Masonic Bodies have also remitted large sums.
There is a decrease of $6,070 under Pensions, Civil Pensions being estimated no cost $7,370 less than in 1917. I have already addressed you regarding the death of Dr. Atkinson, and it is a matter for deep regret that he should have lived for so short a time to enjoy the pension that he had so well earned." The increase in the amount required under Widows'
The local branch of the Overseas Club and Orphans' Pensions is due to the untimely death of several valuable officers. subscribed a sum of £1,690 for the pur
chase of an aeroplane and for sundry A saving of $1,569 is shown under
charities. I desire to make special meni- Charitable Services.
tion of the generous gifts of a battle There is an estimated balance of Re-plane by Mr. A. R. Lowe, and an aero-
over Expenditure of $2,623,115, plane by Mr. Ho Fook. which added to the estimated balance at the end of this year of $2,867,945 makes a total of $5.491,060. These figures are eminently satisfactory, and while repeat ing the warning that I gave last year as 10 the necessity for husbanding our resources, I will take an opportunity later on of consulting honourable mem- bors as to what further help the Colony can give to His Majesty's Government. In this connection I will bring up to date the statement of the financial and other aid given by the Colony to Imperial War Funds and to War Charities, which I made to the Council in March.
The amounts taken up through the British Banks in the Colony to the end of September are as follows: British War Loans and War
Savings Certificates Straits Settlements and Fede-
rated Malay States Loans $3,865,173 (Straits Currency).
£1,145,000
The various parties of ladies working under the auspices of Queen Mary's Needlework Guild have since the begin ning of the war made 211,274 bandages, 30,271 garments and 11.158 knitted articles, while the Union Church working party and other private working parties have all continued to supply many articles monthly.
I should like to mention that from the 7th August correspondence from all re- gular troops stationed 11 Hongkong addressed to any place in Great Britain and Ireland, to any British Colony or Possession, and to all places in which British troops are engaged in military operations has been transmitted through the post free of charge. Up to the 30th September the following articles had been posted and forwarded by the Post Office: -20,606 letters. 374 postcards, 380 other articles.
Up to the 30th September, 472 men had proceeded from the Colony on active ser- vice with His Majesty's Forces, of whom
regret to say 33 have been killed in action. The Military Service Commis- sion which I appointed in the Spring did most useful work, resulting in the release of more than fifty men for service outside the Colony. The war still continues, and I trust that the Colony will continue to Majesty's Government both in the supply of men and money until the objects for which the Empire and her gallant Allies are struggling have been attained.
The Hongkong and South China War Savings Association. which was establish ed in January last, had received up to the end of September the large sum of $1,011,440 Straits Currency and the num ber of members of the Association was 787. The Colony is deeply indebted to the gentlemen who formed and have carried on this association at no expense to the members, and to the Union In-make every effort in supporting His surance Society of Canton, who are the Honorary Secretaries and Treasurers. It has proved a great boon to the small Investor, and we can only hope that the remaining sum which the Government of the Straits Settlements has reserved for the Association will all be taken up.
In my statement last March I gave a list of the amounts contributed to various funds in aid of the war and to charities in connection with the war up to the 31st December, 1916, the total being £64,192. Up to the end of September the War Charities Committee remitted a further
ing of the Supply Bill on Tuesday, the It is proposed to take the second read-
23rd October, as it is essential that the estimates should be forwarded
on the 25th October in order that, in accordance with the Colonial Regulations, they may be considered and approved, or other- wise, before the end of the year.
The Bill was then read a first time.
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