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vide the filling for the Praya East re clamation a large area be reserved there for the Hospital and Asylum, and I would further suggest that the site be kept slight ly raised above the level of the surround ing buildings. This position, with a view over the harbour on one side and the Wong-nei-chong valley on the other, would, to my mind, be a good alternative, though personally I consider Kennedy
Town the better of the two.
saw
a man there suffering in that man- ner, and he was placed in a ward with a lot of lunatics. I cannot imagine any thing more likely to send anyone off his head than to find himself in such com-: pany. Surely, sir, it cannot be right that such cases should be herded with those who are permanently insane.
I would have liked to see a small suni allocated for the purpose of providing some better means of displaying the names of the streets in the Colony, particularly on the upper levels and in the outlying districts. I have seen quite an artistic method of dealing with the subject car- ried out in combination with the lamp- posts. No one will dispute the fact that the lamp-posts in the Colony are far from being things of beauty, and yet there is no reason why they should not be artistic, As, however, the Government finds that and, with the name of the street worked it must increase the accommodation of in with the design so that it faces one the existing Asylum, I would ask them as one passes to and fro, an effect can be to provide a separate house for cases suf- obtained which is both pleasing and use fering from the effect of alcohol. On one ful. I offer the suggestion to the Govern of my visits as a Justice of the Peace Iment in connection with the vote of $12,000 which is partly for providing additional amps. There is a sum of $5,500 allowed in the estimates for a crematorium. We should like to see the plan laid on the table so that we may be sure of what we are going to get for our money whether sufficient accom modation is provided, or whether we shall have to spend more money in the near futu re As regards the Praya East reclamation I would like the Government to see whe- to say
There is one other matter which I wish a few words about, viz., the ther some scheme cannot be devised so Housing problem. It was not to be ex- that, when the ground is built upon, a pected that one would find anything in the uniform design for houses on the front budget more directly relative to the sub- be agreed upon. I think that if a com-ject than the provision of new roads open- mitter of architects wore formed and a ing-up new areas for building purposes. uniform type of design were drawn up because, up to date, no concrete proposals we should then have a fine front to display have been put forward, and I have no to the harbour instead of the ramshackle doubt that the Government is waiting for appearance which obtains on the Praya private enterprise to give them a lead over to the westward.
the fence. I see the provision of the urgently is the first step in the right direction, The provision of new roads needed fowl market has been ignored in but don't let the Government stop at that the estimates. One would have thought and think their work is finished that is that the case made out by the Unofficial the starting point. The next step is the members of the Sanitary Board was strong leasing of suitable sites at a reasonable enough to have ensured the necessary cost. By suitable money being forthcoming for this much are easily developed; not the kind where I mean sites that needed accommodation without the matter a quarter of one's capital is sunk in re- having to be brought up again, and Itaining walls and foundations. hink that those members, of whom my level ground, easy of access, is what is Fairly friend opposite is one, must be justly dis. wanted. appointed that, after a Committee had sites I will ask the Government to do And whilst on the subject of been appointed to inquire into the matter all they can to help owners and architects and strong representations made, nothing over the disposing of surplus spoil where has eventuated. Perhaps the member of there is considerable cutting to be done in the Board who asked for a fowl's para- the formation of a site. dise frightened the Hon. Director of to be carried down and put into junks It this spoil has Public Works, as the estimate given for the cost of making a site is vory greatly providing the necessary accommodation increased and forms one of the reasons seems to bear no relation to the sort of why building is so expensive. Finally, I place that is really wanted; #50,000 would suggest the Government lend the money be ample for the purpose, and if, as for the erection of houses at a low rate estimated, a rental of $300 a month can of interest. At Home and in various be realised then it is a good financial other places in the Empire the Govern transaction for the Government.
ment is, and has been for years. lending
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90
and prosperous Colony,
With regard to the question of a whole- sale poultry market, I also find myself in agreement with the honourable member representing the Justices of the Peace. I was a member of the Sub-Committee of the Sanitary Board mentioned by him, and I know how real and insanitary the nuisance complained of is.
I am sure that if the officials who have authority to deal with and dispose of this matter were to spend a couple of hours in Ko Shing or Li Shing Street while sorting of poultry is in progress, they would have the nuisance stopped in very quick time.
money for housing schemes. In New Zea- whom I ani now acting, would have land there is an Act of Parliament called | become, had he not had the chance of a the Government Advances to Workers Act free vernacular and English education in by which a man can borrow money from his young days. The probability is that the Government to make a home for him- Hongkong would have lost one of its self. In England vast sums of money most public-spirited and useful citizens. have been lent for this same purpose by There may, at this moment, be many the Public Works Loan Commissioners, youngsters among the poor who, if given which body gets its funds from the Na- the same opportunity, might one day rise tional Debt Commissioners, and there are to positions of honour similar to those other instances too numerous to mention attained by our friend, and render im- here. Therefore, 1 see no reason why portant services to the Colony. A system this Government should not do something of education which neglects the up-bring- similar. It seems to me that if the an- ing of the children of the poor must be ployers of labour and others who are wrong, and the sooner it is remedied the desirous of having an inexpensive home better it will be for the good name of this of their own were to meet together and |
otherwise progressive form some sort of Co-operative Building Society on the lines of those existing in nearly all the big cities in England some workable scheme might be evolved; but to command success, any scheme must have the Government's sympathy and co-opera- tion- not only must you provide suitable sites at a reasonable price, but you must rain the nullahs, lay the main drains, give us water and light and easy means of access. I would ask you, sir, not to dismiss this matter from your thoughts without grave consideration. The sub- jeet is one which is attracting world-wide attention. Every newspaper one takes up has reference to it. Madras has just started a housing scheme, and Singapore will probably be the next. Therefore, I would ask you to consider whether it would not be advisable to appoint a Com- mission to go into the question. If this is done. I feel sure that useful results will follow. There is one thing that this war has taught us, and that is to think more largely than before. Schemes that would have taken our breath away before the war have been carried out success- fully and with
great difficulty. Where there is a will there is a way, and I see no reason why, as far as public works matters are concerned, we should not strike out the word impossible from our vocabulary.
no
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After all, the amount necessary for building the market is not so very large an outlay that the Colony cannot bear it especially when it will bring in a not inconsiderable revenue.
I therefore urge that the work be proceeded with at once.
HON. MR. S. H. DODWELL-The_ground has been so well covered by other un- official members that there is only one point I wish to raise, but that I think is an important one. It has reference to the controlled ships' accounts which were lightly touched on by the hon, senior un- official member of the Council. I that the fact that these controlled ships' presume accounts do not appear separately, does not mean that the local Government purposes appropriating the proceeds. I take it the accounts will not only be kept separate but that the proceeds will in due course be handed over to the Home Government.
Hox. MR. CHAN KAI MING - Sir, the views and suggestions of my Chinese colleague have my cordial support. As an old resident, I well remember the free Government vernacular schools mentioned THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-I by him.
There are still living several think most of the points raised by the Un- prominent members of the Chinese con- official members in connection with Public munity who received the rudiments of Works are covered by a general statement their education at such institutions. It regarding the shortage of the staff in the would be interesting to speculate what the Department. Out of a total of 20 engi- honourable member of this Council for (neers we have 13 at the present moment.
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