CO129-519-1 Estimates for 1930 5-9-1929 - 14-11-1929 — Page 58

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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and Percival Street, and thus to avoid entirely the tram route at night for that distance.

I will now bring this long speech to an end in the orthodox fashion, by firing off at the Government, on behalf of myself and my Unofficial colleagues, a broadside of remarks and questions in regard to various items in the Estimates which have not yet been dealt with by me.

(1) On page 6 we notice an item "Carriage, Chair, etc., Licences $230,000," and would suggest that, in future Estimates, it would be interesting to have a separate heading for motor vehicle licences instead of lumping them together with chair and ricksha licences.

(2) On page 9, in connexion with the item "Public Schools Fees," we would ask the Government to consider whether the fees charged in public schools ought not to be reduced.

(3) On page 9 we notice the item "Message Fees $160,000.” Does this mean wireless message fees, and, if so, why are the estimated receipts for 1930 less than those for 1929 ?

(4) On pages 19 and 20 we notice the items of $2,000 and $500 respectively for Afforestation in the Northern and Southern Districts of the New Territories respectively, and would suggest that in future years that expenditure might be doubled.

(5)) In connexion with the Post Office (page 21) we suggest that the accommodation on the ground floor and in the basement is insufficient for its requirements.

(6) On page 27 what is the meaning of the sudden appearance of two items:-19 Coal for Offices, $5,000; 20 Rent, light and water allowances for Slipway staff, $2,934?

(7) On page 27 we notice that, although the Government Marine Surveyor's Department already has 4 launches, namely one steam- driven H. D. 3 and three motor-driven, H. D. 6, 7 and 8, the Harbour Department is asking in addition to the new motor-launch for the G.M.S. Department, now under construction, an additional motor- launch for this Department and also a new launch for the carriage of Stores and Relief.

In view of the fact that every shipyard in the Colony can now be reached by bus or tram, with a considerable saving of time over travelling by launch, and also that (see page 27) the Marine Surveyor and his 13 Assistant Surveyors receive conveyance allowance, the necessity for the use of launches by the G.M.S. Department is limited to the inspection of vessels lying afloat in the Harbour which are not numerous enough to warrant any increase in the number of

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