CO129-468 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [6-8] — Page 464

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76

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Government House Maintenance | The Governor recommended the Coun- cil to vote a sum of $2,000 in aid of the following votes:-

Governor. Other Charges, Elec- tric Fans and Light for Rooms Governor, Other Charges, Incid-

ental Expenses

Total

$1,000

1,000

$2,000

THE CHAIRMAN- Votes for Government House. Since the war, they were cut down and have not been increased. The result is now that they are exhausted. I had a report from the private secre- tary in respect of three votes; electric light, fans and incidental expenses. For the former, in 1919, the expenses were $1,200 and in 1920, $1,100. The sum pro- vided was $600. The vote was formerly $2,000 and was cut down in the present year, to 81,000 in consideration of a furniture vote of $2,000. The extra ordinary expenditure on furniture has continued into this year. Prices have in- creased, and it would be advisable to supplement each vote by $1.000.

Approved.

The Railway Clock

The Governor recommended the Coun- cil to vote & sum of $1.236 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Installation of Clock.

THE CHAIRMAN-The vote of $2,234 lapsed last year and only $1,000 was in- cluded in the estimates this year.

1+ will be seen that the amount required

is

the almost exactly

amount formerly voted.

ΠΟΥ

Approved.

Water Supply for Repulse Bay

The Governor recommended the Coun- cil to vote a sum of $2,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Waterworks, (43), 3" main from Wongneichoug Gap Reservoir to Repulse Bay.

THE CHAIRMAN-This is a supply of water to various buildings at Kepulse Bay. Leaseholders were informed that if enough houses were built, the Govern- ment would provide water supply and it has become apparent now from the num ber of houses being built, and about to be built, that this water supply is necessary.

HON. MR. BIRD-Will this be for the use of owners generally, or will some have to provide their own water and some get it from the Government?

THE DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS- The Government is paying the greater part : one-third of the cost has been divided up amongst the leaseholders, pro-rata to the cost of installation.

Approved.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

77

PRESENT:--

30TH JUNE, 1921.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS, K.C.M.G.

H.E. MAJOR-GENERAL SIR GEORGE MACAULAY KIRKPATRICK, K.C.B., K.C.S.I. (General Officer Commanding the Troops in China).

HON. MR. CLAUD SEVERN, (Colonial Secretary).

C.M.O.

Hos. Mr. J. H. KEMP, C.B.E., K.C. (Attorney-General).

HON. MR. C. Mcl. MESSER, 0.B.E (Colonial Treasurer).

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by com- mand of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table the report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee No. 7 and moved that it be adopted.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconde, and the motion was agreed to.

Food Prices Control

• HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C., in accordance with notice previously given.

HON. MR. F. A. IRVING (Director of asked the following questions:- Education).

HON. MR. S. B. C. ROSS, 0.B.E. (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

1. Has the Committee for fixing the prices of food and other necessaries been dissolved and if so when was it dissolved

Hon. MR. T. L. PERKINS (Director of and why? If not dissolved, how long Public Works).

HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.¢,

Hox, Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK.

HoN. MR. HO FOOK.

HON. MR. H. W. BIRD.

HON. MR. A. G. STEPHEN.

MR. S. B. B. McELDERRY (Clerk of Councils).

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting of the Council were approved and signed by the President.

Finance

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by com- mand of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 50, 51, and 52, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.

is it since it last met ?

2. Is the Government aware that the prices of fish and firewood have been recently considerally increased by com- pradores? Will the Government enquiries to be made into the same, with a view to having same reduced?

cause

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied-

1. The Committee referred to was appointed under the Order-in-Coun- cil of 1896 as a war measure. It has long ago ceased to perform the func tions for which it was appointed.

though it has not been formally dis- solved.

no

2.--The Government has received

complaints with regard to the in- creases in prices reterred to, and is not disposed to interfere with retail trade in the Colony except in very exceptional circumstances.