out
Council
11
S LOW."
Liao
alicen and pretends to carry on a trade as a cover for criminal prac
You cannot in tices. this have both the mediaeval and th modern system. The native idea of She uses to which-publie thoroughfares way. Properly be put is Lot in accordance with the modern school of thought on the subject and I think it is reasonable in the interests of traffic control and the management of the city generally that these licenses should be 'ibo kept within a reasonable figure. honourable member also mentiqued that there might be abuse in connection with the I do issue of a limited number of licences. not think so. All present holders will be entitled to a renewal of their licences and new applications are carefully inquired
into.
With regard to the proposed charge for excess water, the rider mains were given at the request of the Chinese but it must be burne in mind that they were given also to enable the Government to check the usa of water and their primary object was that when the shortage of water came in the winter to cut off the water from Chinese tenement houses. It was found that, in order to conserve the supply, it was neces- sary to cut it down to something under two hours day. During a period of restricted supply the Chinese turned on the tap and wasted the water. Now we have a supply lasting throughout the year and the wastcage is very great indeed. I think the hon. member would prefer some tax upon that the the amount used rather than supply should be limited to an hour a day, with street fountains only available during the rest of the time. There are certainly various difficulties as regards the imposi- tion of the tax but its incidence would be on a wide basis. There is no definite statement as to increased fees; it is simply proposed to add to the revenue from this
Bource.
JIA
the
20
As regards the question of the buoys
the barbour, raised
by Hon. Mr. Parr, the suggestion to increase the fees has not been gone into at any length. The cost of everything -even the cost of passages on the ships of the hon. member's own company-have gone up very much indeed and there is reason why the Government should remain in the position was in six years ago. With regard to emigration fees our fees are, I think, below those of other ports and the figures show that we can put on these extra charges. The Council may rest assured that the Government will do nothing to prejudice the important interests of the Colony in this matter.
i may, in conclusion, express my deep appreciation of the complimentary words expressed by the two hon. members with regard to myself, which, I think, are rauer deserved by the service as a whole to whce efficient co-operation the smooth running of the Government machine entire due.--(Applause).
19
The tion. Mr. POLLOCK-One point to which the Hon. Colonial Secretary did not refer was to the question of private practi tioners being allowed to attend their own patients in the Kowlcon hospital.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-That is the intent.on of the Government.
Hoa, Mr. POLLOCK-1 am not convinced that the unofficial members refuged the
Wauchai Gap tramway.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-1
way dis
cussed in Committee and it was agreed that
the scheme should be omitted.
Be
The
ho...
tu
put
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WURKS: replying
raised by menwers, with regard to public works which have not been dealt with by uie Hou. Coloniai Secretary i would ask permission first to express my deep appreciation of the re- marks relating to myself which have tallen from the hon. memper opposite (Hon. Mr. Hulyoak), and from my hon. friend ΟΠ my left (rion. Mr. Parri, has always been my endeavour to maintain the high standard of excellence of the public works generally. which had been established by some at least of my predecessors in this Colony. The hon. senior unofficial member referred to the necessity for the prompt dealing with plans for alterations to build- ings and new buildings. Provision is made in the ordinance for a very limited period within which plans must be dealt with and if he could bring to my notice any case in which that period has been exceeded will be glad to investigate it. According to the ordinance the parties who deposit such plans may proceed with the buildings if no intimation of disapproval is received within the period stated. With regard to the Praya East Reclamation scheme 1 can only say that some delay, will necessarily result from the visit of Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice to investigate the question of herbour improvements generally and the establishment of whar fage and railway communication on the other side of the water. It is necessary to have a great deal of information pre- pared for his benefit and the staff that would be otherwise engaged on the Praye East Reclamation work has had to be taken off for that purpose.
The hon. senior unofficial member re- ferred to the motor road from Chamber- lain road to Magazine Gap. In that case the question was referred to the Public Works Committee, consisting of all the unofficial members, and they were unanimous in recommending the construction of that road. I am aware of course, that my hon. friend Mr. Pollock was absent from the Colony when that occurred, but I think he should have it out with his locum tenens in the first in- stance before complaining of the insertion of this item.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: I entirely dis- agree with the hon. member. Why should not have my own views on the subject, and why should I not expresa thein?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: I merely wished to mention that it was not a matter which had been inserted by the Government without reference to the Junofficial members and that the work had received their unanimous support.
I think the Colonial Secretary dealt very fully with the question of the rider main system. The reason for introducing this system was that a Bill had been pass- ed by this Council providing for the with- drawal of the services to the houses gene- rally unless meters were introduced, and for giving a supply to the people from pub- lic fountains only. That was the reason why the rider main system was applied for, and ultimately introduced,
The main object of the meters, of course, is to economise the water supply and prevent the necessity for further great extensions of the waterworks to maintain the supply. Such extensions, if necessary in the future, must be attended by far grea
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