126
121
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE CHAIRMAN explained the first item as being for thh extension of the nullah in Shamshuipo which had to be under- taken owing to the rapid development of the district. The other amount was also required because of the unexpected build- ing development necessitating the exten- sion of Government sewers.
Approved.
Document Presses
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $130 in aid of the vote Colonial Secretary's Office, Special Ex- penditure, Document Presses.
Approved.
Compensation for Development
Promoters
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $7.500 on account of Miscellaneous Services, in aid of penses incurred by the Promoters of the South of the Island Development Scheme.
ex-
That has been very carefully considered, and it is felt that it would be equitable to pay this sum to cover certain expenses. I do not think it will cover all the ex- penditure to which they have been put.
HON. MR. POLLOCK-Has this sum been agreed to?
THE CHAIRMAN-Yes, it has been agreed to by the Government, and the represent- ative of the promoters.
The vote was approved.
Expenditure on Exhumations
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,000 in aid of the vote Sanitary Department. Special Ex- penditure, Exhumation at Kai Lung Wan Cemetery.
THE CHAIRMAN said exhumations would proceed eaaly next year at Chai Wan and it now becoming fensible to comlete the exhumation at Kai Lung Wan, It. was proposed in future Estimates to pro- vide one sum for all exhumations.
Approved.
Temporary School at Morrison
Gap Road
THE CHAIRMAN-Hon. members will remember the big scheme for the develop- ment of the south side of the island. After years of negotiations the scheme has fallen through, and the Government found it necessary to terminate the whole business, but on the application of the The Governor recommended the Council promoters it was felt that there was some
to vote a sum of $30.000 on account of reason for
their being led to expect Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, that this scheme would go through. They Buildings, Proposed erection of a tem had, therefore, incurred certain unavoid-porary school near Gap Road. able expenditure. They were asked for particulars, but we could not get definite particulars of much of the expenditure, After negotiations with the agents of the promoters locally it was agreed to pay a sum of 87,500.
It
a private en-
21
HON. MR. BIRD -It was terprise, was it not. sir?
THE CHAIRMAN
was private enterprise but the Government had supported it and it would have been of great public advantage. It would have gone through probably but for the war.
The war intervened and pre vented them from raising the capital, if they ever could have raised the capital. On the other hand the Government were somewhat in the wrong in not having stated a time for the definite conclusion of the work. The time dated from a hypothetical passing of ordinance
an
THE CHAIRMAN-The building in which the Praya East school had been housed for some years had become unsafe, and the scholars had to be removed to tem. porary accommodation in the Indian School. It is now proposed to erect tem porary buildings in Morrison Gap road which will last until a site for permanent buidings is available.
HON. MR. POLLOCK-Will these build- ings be of use for anything else later on?
THE CHAIRMAN-I do not know that they will last longer than they will be required. years.
They will be wanted for six
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS- I am afraid they will not be of much use by the time the Government has finished with them.
HONGKONG LEGISTIVE COUNCIL
122
HON. MR. POLLOCK-It is; a fairly big as previously. Each man gets two pairs price.
of boots. costing 12s. 7d.. each, and two new suits of winter clothing (blue); one helmet and puggaree; and one hat and cap. Each man gets a norinal issue, which is costing very much more. owing to two causes-increased prices and differ- ence of exchange. Further, the cost of uniformed police lent to other depart- ments is now borne on the Police Esti- mates.
THE CHAIRMAN The price surprised me. but it is a fairly big building.
THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS agreed.
The vote was approved.
Incidental Expenses
A. regards the second item-pass ages we have given up the old arrange- The Governor recommended the Council
ment by which, if the Police did not take to vote a sum of $1,600 in aid of the their leave, they were vote Public Works, Establishment. Inci-That was under consideration for a long given a bonus. dental Expenses.
time. Various members of the Council objected to the system and it has been THE CHAIRMAN gave details and ex-given up. The men now go on leave in plained that the amount was in excem greater numbers--with their families- of the sum of $2.000 provided in the and the result is a large extra suni has Estimates.
been incurred for passages.
Approved.
Cost of Chinese Police Uniforms
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $60,000 in aid of the following votes Police and Fire Brigade-4 --Police, Other Charges: Clothing and Accountrements, $30,000. Passages Bonuses in lieu of
passages, $30,000; total $60,000.
and
and
THE CHAIRMAN-These are very large sums. The first item. $30,000. Clothing Accoutrements of the Police, is involved by the change in style of uni- forms of the Chinese Police. A thousand pairs of black Blucher light boots are required for the Chinese Police at a cost of £574. The old Chinese shoes cost 85 cents
a pair. Helmets and caus instead of bamboo hats cost $8 for each man as compared with 25 cents, each, for bamboo hats. In February last, £1,090 was spent on blue serge uniforms. this expenditure was not provided for. The change in the style of the uniforms was under consideration for sometime; it was dropped during the war and only recent- ly was decided on. I think hon. mem- bers considered it for some time.
HON. MR. POLLOCK It seam very expensive change to make.
All
THE CHAIRMAN-The Police authorities advocated the change. Each Chinese police officer, this year. has received four Buits of summer clothing, instead of one.
Hox. MR. HOLYOAK figures be aunually recurrent?
BO
Will these
THE CHAIRMAN - Uniforms will not be high. This item represents have renewals, now. The passages I think, a complete outfit. The men will only will always be a large item. We have not yet reached a figure which we guarantee to be, more or less. the annual figure.
―
can
How many
Chinese Police are there? Hox. MR. POLLOCK
THE CHAIRMAN-The number is getting larger. It is round about 600
Hus.
Before
changes involving large sums of money MR. HOLYOAK
are made. the Council ought to know something more about the cost.
THE CHAIRMAN J was surprised to hear of the expenditure that had taken place.
HON. MR. POLLOCK - - I think the Finance Committee should have been consulted, first.
The vote was approved.
Purchase of Hakka Dictionaries
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a vote Miscellaneous Services, Other Miscel
sum of $750 in aid of the
laneous Services,
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.