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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
into effect of this resolution, that is to say the 1st day of July, 1925,” In moving the resolution I would remind hon. members that on May 14th last this Council passed a resolution fixing the assessment for teue- ments in Aplichau at 12 per cent, and H.E. The Governor fixed July 1st as the date for the coming into effect of that resolution. It was subsequently discovered that this rate was too high. There is no Government water supply in Aplichau, and owing to the delay in the arrival of the cable it was impossible to apply for lighting in Aplichau from July 1st, so that the fraction of the rating that could be charged for lighting
Also the small frac-
could not be effective, tion of % for fire should not be applied, because there is no water except that which can be taken from the sea and no Fire Brigade. The result of all this is that the assessment of 12 per cent. should only be 7 per cent. as from July 1st until the end of this year. I beg to move the resolution.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the resolution was passed.
Retaining Walls
HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK-Will the Government state what steps have been taken since the Po Hing Fong Disaster to provide for the regular inspection of old retaining wall and
Will the Government indicate the ex- penditure, if any, necessary or contem- plated in respect of retaining walls on unleased Crown Land?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY-A sys- tematic inspection of old retaining walls has been commenced. All the walls in the Taiping Shan District, together with many others situated on the lower and middle levels, have been already care- fully surveyed; measurements and all
other relevant data have been collected and conveniently tabulated for future reference and comparison. In several instances walls have been plumbed at intervals and diagramatic profiles plot- ted for further investigation. A similar inspection of walls in other districts of the city is at present in progress, and reports will be prepared as the necessary data are collected. Some of the walls already inspected are of very poor con- struction-considerably more so than the wall South of In Mi Lane, which
collapsed in July and in certain in- stances the Public Works Department has already communicated with the owners-under powers bestowed by the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance -in reference to work which should be undertaken. No inspection, however careful, can of course provide against accident arising from distintegration below the foundations due to undetected subterranean water. After the comple- tion of the systematic inspection now in hand, arrangements will be made for a quarterly return to be kept, giving parti- culars of any changes that may occur.
As regards retaining walls to Govern- ment works:-The vote for maintenance of public works covers expenditure on such retaining walls: no abnormal expenditure is contemplated.
As regards retaining walls in respect of which there is or may be a right to support for adjacent lots:-The Govern- ment is under no obligation to incur expenditure on repairs: the owners of such lots, if they consider repairs to be necessary, should apply for permission to carry out the works they propose at their own expense.
As regards retaining walls supporting the hillside-In certain cases the Gov- ernment may see fit to repair or reinstate such walls at the expense of the public funds although under no obligation to do so: contemplated expenditure of this nature has been provided for in the Estimates for 1926 under item Public Works Extraordinary 15.
Budget Debate
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY--1 beg to move the second reading of the Bill intituled, An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding $18,767,777 to the Public Service of the year 1926.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.
7
HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK-Your Excel- lency, it will perhaps be useful in discuss- ing the Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for 1926, if in the first place I deal with Your Excellency's speechi introducing the Budget before discussing
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
in detail such points as appear to us to call for further explanation or special reference. To commence with, we should like to congratulate you, Sir, on the ex- tremely able and comprehensive survey of the past year and the present situa- tion, as well as upon the statesmanlike budgetting which we have learned from successive budgets, to expect from you. Whilst sympathising with the difficulties of attempting any accurate forecast for the coming year, it has naturally been a relief to hear that "for the present, at any rate, the right course is to reduce expenditure rather than to increase in- come and that, therefore, you do not think it necessary to provide for addi- tional direct taxation for the present." We were glad to hear from Your Excel. lency that the Colony's revenue is already showing signs of improvement.
we
"
We most fully endorse Your Excel- lency's statement that
you cannot be- lieve that the intelligent people of Kwang- tung-a race which has been famous for centuries for commercial ability and prac- tical sense can be content much longer to put up with the oppression of a regime imposed from outside and supported by mercenaries from other provinces." and too, believe that the traditional sound common sense of the people of Kwangtung, as well the
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old-time, deeply sincere friendship between the Cantonese officials and people and the British Government and its citizens resid- ing in Hongkong, and China must before long reassert themselves, and conditions become once more normal for them and us. It is perhaps fitting at this stage to express the fervent hope that the Con- ferences about to commence in Peking will materially assist in reinstating norma! relations with China.
BUDGET DETAILS
Turning now to the details of the Bud- get, we note for the first time that all junior clerks now come under the definite heading of "Junior Clerical Service." Whilst appreciating the explanation that this has been done for the sake of economy in time and labour, we are not fully satisfied that it is not preferable to debit these salaries to the various departments concerned, that We may arrive at definite knowledge of the cost of running each department.
TRADE STATISTICS
-91.
We note that a substantial saving, estimated at $44,000, is to be made by the abandonment of the Statistical De- partment of the Imports & Exports Office, and I have been asked to make representations that this would be a very retrogressive step and that it should be avoided if at all possible. Personally speaking, I cannot imagine why this particular department has proved SO expensive to run hitherto, and possibly upon reconsidering the matter, it may be found that it can still be carried on though at a far lower cost.
POLICE FORCE
We most cordially endorse your high appreciation of the zealous services of the Police Force during the trying period through which we have passed and would associate with them, both the Police Reserve and the Volunteers, not forget- ting the wonderful voluntary service ren- dered by a very large section of the entire community, Chinese and Foreign alike. to maintain the essential services and normal life of the Colony. Indeed, thanks to the united efforts of all, so normal have things been kept to the casual eye that visitors arriving in the Colony have failed to realise, at first, that there was anything abnormal. Nor would I pass from this subject without a sincere and cordial tribute to the magnificent and heroic services rendered by the Fire Brigade and the Police, as well as by the St. John's Ambulance Brigade during the horrors of the recent Po Hing Fong collapse.
PUBLIC WORKS
We regret the necessary postponement of the work on the new prison on the Kowloon side and hope in the meantime that the noticeable reduction in crime and therefore the strain upon the accommoda- tion of our present prison will continue to be experienced. In this connection there can be little doubt that the recent house to house visitations of the Police and Military have had a most salutary and wholesome effect, and we suggest. that these might be, with advantage, still carried on, from time to time. It is wel come news that the new Kowloon Hos. pital is to be opened at last and that the
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