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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
I think we must have regard to what the experts tell us. They point out that to be efficient, a station which will maintain regular communication with Colombo would need to be an exceptionally high power one, and if such a high power station were erected with already two stations in the very limited area of this Colony, it would be probable that they would seriously interfere with each other's working. That may prove not to be the case but that is the view, I under stand, the experts take at the present time, Therefore there are two opinions expressed by them-one, that the station
Stonecutters
with Laland,
the chain of stations beginning at Singa- pore, would be amply sufficient for commercial messages to be transmitted, and, two, that a higher power station than the one at Stonecutters Island erected in the Colony, would seriously
at
very
injure the efficiency of the two stations already in existence. I am sure hon. members have seen the statement recently made by one of H.M.'s Ministers that it is the extraordinary series of breakdowns in the submarine cables and the tremendous pressure of messages which has led to this unfortunate delay which it is quite clearly recognised is hampering trade in a very serious degree and that new cables are being laid to deal with the large increase in the need for rapid communication which is expect ed in the future. I think, therefore, it will be obvious to hon, members that with this expression of opinion by experts, this Government cannot proceed at once to make arrangements for the installation of a new and higher power station as suggested, and I hope, in view of what I bave said the hon. member representing the Chamber of Commerce will be pre- pared to withdraw his motion. The pro- ceedings which have taken place here will be forwarded to the proper quarter and if I ask for an expression of opinion, as I sam prepared to do, no doubt we shall receive statement from elsewhere on this subject.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-I feel the matter is of such serious import- to the Colony that I cannot agree to the suggestion that Your Excellency has made. It is not because I am opposed to what Your Excel- lency has said regarding your desire to help us in this matter because I am quite aure the Government is as desirous as but to send the report of these proceed we are to remedy the evils which exist, ings home by mail would take at the
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
for Caloutta and Hame while competing tations communicate with Honolulu and America and give daily quotations at Manila, that the station should be super-
eded.
very least six weeks and to wait for the dispatch of an answer would hold the Colony up for three months and I regard the matter se so serious that I think thi I have seen the should not be done.
This is the point I wish to bring statement made in the House of Comino me. If a thing is out of date-and if a few days ago this itself was a greatly may easily be if it was installed Before the war-it is better to accept the fact. delayed message that the Eastern Exte sion Company is doing everything in reinstall something superior and get the power to repair its cables. We have benefit for the nation. I therefore regret told this repeatedly for the last three that I must press the motion. months but the evil grows worse than ever. I regard it as of very great import ance that we should have an alternative route. Surely, if we are to keep abreas of the times we cannot be dependent upon submarine cables, and whether it inter fores with the established rights of the Telegraph Company or not, I submit tha the matter must be put before the Hung Authorities in the very strongest light possible. I expected opposition. We had it before from the cable companies and if it comes again-
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT-1 do not think th point of opposition on the part of the call companies was raised by the hon. member.c it was not touched upon by me. think that need be raised.
I do not
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-Your Excellen referred to an extension of submarin cables.
THE
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING GOVERNMENT – I am afraid I nnot accept the motion as it stands aåt present containing, as it does, the words Fat once," Before we go further it might be possible to ask the experts if the present station which has been estab- lished in the most favourable spot in the
Colony for such a station could be made
Bore powerful than it is. With the in- formation we have and the advice we have it is impossible to accept the motion in its resent form
HON. MR. HOLYOAK--How soon will be possible for the experts to report?
HE. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT I cannot say. It pight be possible to get a report at once.
HON. MR. HOLYOAK Is there anyone the Colony capable of giving an pinion
HE THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING
GOVERNMENT I think a
H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT-When asking for the withdrawal of the motion, the point I mad was that the erection of such a station a that now proposed would so serional interfere with the existing stations that in the opinion of the experta, the mone would be more or less thrown away. Tha would be a serious thing. pointed out that as far as I know th present station would become availabE THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING for commercial messages in the chain oE GOVERNMENT-I can ask at once. I on what technical examination may high power stations already in existent gaarantee a reply at once.
Moreover,
Hos. Mr. HOLYOAK- - 1 your Excel- ney will give us the assurance that we hall have the reply within the next week-
necessary.
I do not
HUS. MR. HOLYOAK-With that assur-
HON. MR. HOLYOAK-It is a conuo practice when machinery, even recenti installed machinery, is superseded by newer form which can be worked eithece I will withdraw the motion and oa more cheaply or more expeditiously, fo understanding that the matter will
brought up again. the old style to be immediately scrapped I would suggest that it might be exped
HE. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING ent, in view of the fact that the stasid eset time, as far as I know, we realitary of State a report of these proceed established here, which I learn for tE GOVERNMENT-I will send to the intended for commercial purposes, wi
only communicate direct with SingaporThe motion was then withdrawn, so that the cables have to be relaye
Questions by Hon. Mr. Alabaster
The following questions were asked by the Hon. Mr. Alabaster, the answers being read by the Colonial Secretary:-
Q-As the introduction_and increased, ase of rickshas on the Peak footpaths ha treated a new danger to child-life, will the Government hasten the conver sion of the corber of waste ground be tween the Government villas and Mount Kellet Road into a suitable playground 7
A. The work of conversion was put in hand on the 28th March.
Q-Will the Government construct on the unused lot on the north side of the Royal Court of Justice a pavilkin which can be used abendstand in the even.
ings and in the daytime as a sun aud rain shelter for the amaha and children who now hauna the Cricket Ground and Court verandaha?
A.-The Goverment is yuable to erect of a shelter will be considered. a bandstand at this spot. The provision
Q-What steps in the Government tak- to save the hill anal roadway below the ing before the rainy season commences London Mission Hou at Cheung Chau from being washed away?
A. The pathway where damaged will be repaired by formin a turfed bank below it. Water will B diverted from this section of the pathway by forming a turfed bund above it. The water will be discharged under the pathway in a pro- perly-constructed drain. It is anticipated that these measures will be a sufficient safeguard
Q. What progress has been made in the work of connecting all Poli Stations by telephone!
A.Cheung Chau Police Station was cipated that Tai O and Tung Chung connected on the 1st April. It is anti-
Police Stations will be connected by the 30th April. The permanent cables for those fines have not yet arrived, and the cables laid have been loaned temporarily by the Military Authorities.
The lines to Lamma and Kat O will be comenced as soon as the lines to Lantzo
staff the lines cannot all be constructed
Owing to depletion art completed.
fimultaneously.
When this work is finished, all Polion Btations will be connected by telephone.
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