HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
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For 1927, in view of the increase in the charge for water to shipping and for wharf and building supplies from which an increase of $100,000 was expected, the estimate, based on normal years, was placed at $640,000. The year has not been normal and we now expect to realize only $520,000 from this source in 1927. We hope for a better year in 1928 and have estimated our revenue at $570,000.
The Government will not overlook the views of Honourable Members on the advantages of afforestation and on the necessity for improving the local supply of vegetables and similar commodities. These matters have received much consideration from Government in recent months, and the Honourable Member himself drew attention to the good work being done by the New Territories Agricultural Show Committee. The Government hopes that the labours of the Committee, which it desires to encourage in every possible way, still stimulate the interest of the farming community and lead to increased production.
The Government is glad to find that its proposals for the increase of the Police Force meet with approval, and welcomes and endorses the recognition of the good work of the Police and District Watch Force under the Captain Superintendent of Police and Secretary for Chinese Affairs respectively.
The Government is pleased to find that its proposals with regard to the Harbour as set out in Sessional Paper No. 5 of 1927 have been approved by Honourable Members. It is also gratified at the approval shown towards its proposals for improving the Medical and Sanitary Services of the Colony, but regrets that practical difficulties prevent it from acceding to the request that private practitioners be allowed to practise in Government Hospitals.
The question of the Vehicular Ferry has not been lost sight of, but it is an expensive undertaking and more investigation has been found necessary than was at first anticipated. The information will be laid before Honourable Members as soon as it is available.
As regards the Water Supply, that very busy officer, my Honour- able Friend the Director of Public Works, is engaged on the prepara- tion of a comprehensive report on the various possible schemes for supplying the inhabitants of this Colony with that most precious of all commodities, good water, and the results of his labours will in due course be laid before you for consideration. When the necessary infor- mation has been collected His Excellency intends, as he promised last year, to appoint a Commission to consider the whole subject.
The Government is very pleased to find that the Council so whole- heartedly endorses its efforts to provide the Colony with an Aerodrome suitable for modern aircraft, and trusts that the hopes of the full amount of the suggested Imperial Contribution will not be dis- appointed.
Turning now to the remarks of the Honourable the Second Chinese Member, I can assure him that his representations on the subject of
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