11
now been made of the amounts that will be expended during 1925 on such works as appear in the 1926 estimates and these figures will be included in the final print of the estimates for 1926.
These figures could not be made avail- able in time for Hon. Members' refer- ence when considering the Draft Esti- mates for 1926.
STREET NAMES.
In reply to the Hon. Mr. Bird's re- marks would state: With regard to Street Name Plates, this work had to be postponed. The design of these name plates was decided upon in consulta- tion with the Hon. Mr. H. W. Bird and approved by Government in April last, and 89 Street Name plates (50 in Kow- loon and 39 in Hongkong) would have been completed during this year. The preliminary work was in hand when the Strike prevented further progress. Since then, owing to retrenchment, all works not considered essential, and such works as could be cancelled without involving claims, have been stopped.
TAIPO ROAD.
With regard to the dangerous bridges on the Taipo Road referred to, an item was tentatively proposed to be included in the estimates for 1926 for this work, but, owing to retrenchment, it had to be postponed. The necessity of improving these bridges is considered most essen- tial together with the widening and im- proving of the approaches to them. The widening of all of the bridges between Castle Peak and Taipo Market has been taken in hand and should be completed by the early part of next year.
F
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY: Before proceed to reply in any way to the com- inents on the estimates made by the Unofficial Members of Council, I would like to thank them, and especially the Senior Chinese member, for the personal references to myself in connection with Budget debates and estimates. I think this is the twelfth debate on the Budget of this Colony with which I have been associated, and I have had the honour of introducing the estimates for the years 1914, 1919 and 1923. The progress and development of the revenue of the Colony, and the Colony's general prosperity during the nearly fourteen years since I came here has, of course, been extra- ordinarily gratifying to me and to the whole community. I have watched the progress of this Colony with the very greatest possible interest and although there is what I am sure we all feel to be a purely temporary slackening of that development, I am satisfied that if I am able to return to this Colony, even within a comparatively short time, I shall find all the big works under contemplation, in full swing again and an ample revenue to make provision for them. (Applause.)
JUNIOR CLERICAL SERVICE.
I will now turn to the remarks of the Senior Unofficial member which have, sơ far, not been replied to. With regard to the transfer of the amounts for the Junior Clerical Service from the different depart- ments to the end of the Estimates, this was done, as pointed out by Your Excel- lency when addressing the Council, as it meant a great convenience when elerks are moved from one department to another. It also gives the total cost of that clerical service in a way which is desirable. We now know how much that service is costing us. Last year it was proposed to make this change shortly before the introduction of the Estimates, but I resisted it because I did not see how, in the short period available,
40%
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.