CO129-469 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1921 [9-12] — Page 408

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HON. MR. HO FOOK:

THE VOTE FOR EDUCATION.

The Hon. Ho Fook: Sir, I desire to endorse the remarks of my Chinese col- league in so far as they relate to the advisibility of giving facilities for the development of the New Territories, re- moving the Mortuary, and exe: cising great caution in the banishment of a cer- tain class of British subjects. It will be gratifying to the Chinese community to know that provision has been made in the Estimates for an increase of $58,000 in subsidies to the elementary vernacular schools. Situated, as the Colony is, within a stone's throw of the mainland, compulsory education seems to me to be out of question unless it is enforced simultaneously in China, but I would respectfully submit that it is the duty of the Government gradually to increase the vote for education from year to year until there will be enough schools for all the children whose parents desire to give them some education.

THE HON. MR. H. W. BIRD.

THE HOUSING PROBLEM,

The Hon. Mr. H. W. BIRD :-Sir,-I wish to associate myself fully with the words which have fallen from my col- leagues and to join in the congratulations to the Government on the Budget which is now before us. I propose to make a few further remarks which may or may not have the approval of the other un- official members on matters which I con- sider of importance.

THE GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.

I regret to see that further money is to be spent on the Government Civil Hospital, a building which is a standing disgrace to the Colony. It has been said by Government Officials when the question of its removal has been mooted-"We can't find a site." I suggest, Sir, that a portion of Morrison Hill when cut down be utilized for the purpose and that an area sufficient to accommodate the Hos- pital and Lunatic Asylum be left so that the buildings when completed would be slightly above the others in the neigh- bourhood.

NEEDS OF CHILDREN.

I hope the Government will make 2 new garden for the Peak children as soon as the new motor road is completed, their principal play ground having been destroyed.

Will the Government consider the advis ability of providing seats in Statue Square so that the children who are so frequently seen in that neighbourhood need not have to sit in the gutters? A policeman might well be stationed there to prevent the seats being occupied by coolies.

KING'S PARK RIFLE RANGE.

The question of the removal of the King's Park Rifle Range should be con- sidered immediately, or failing its entire removal some alteration in the lay out of the ranges should be made. Stray bullets, probably richochets, have been found from time to time in the walls of the Kwong Wah Hospital, and the Steam Laundry, and I have with me. a bullet that went through a window in the latter building a few days ago at a height of 5ft 6in. from the ground-about the height of a man's head. A coolie working on the roads in Yaumati was actually struck by a bullet recently and was luckily not seriously injured. It would seem to be possible to alter the direction of the ranges by placing them E. & W. instead of N. & S. as at present. Some change in the layout of the Kowloon Golf Course would probably be necessary.