CO129-519-2 Estimates for 1930 19-9-1929 - 19-9-1929 — Page 114

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Admiralty concurrence has now been given to the construction of a wharf by the Hong Kong Wharf and Godown Company 120 feet from the Kowloon Naval Camber, subject to a guarantee being given by the Company that free space for manoeuvring lighters, etc. in and out of the Victualling Yard Camber will be maintained during construction of the wharf, and afterwards when ships are berthed alongside. Provision for the reorganisation of the buoya in the harbour to deal with the ever increasing size of ships is now before this Council and will be found under Head 13 Sub-Head 31 on page 27.

The question of building a protecting arm on the Western side of the Southern entrance to the Yaumati Typhoon Shelter in order to afford further protection to craft taking refuge in typhoon weather is also receiving Government's consideration.

The question of cutting a channel through the shoals between Green Island and Stonecutters Island to afford a Western Entrance and exit to ships of the largest size remains under consideration. The matter has been referred to the Consulting Engineers, who at present cannot feel assured that such a channel would maintain its depth of water without periodical dredging operations.

The explanation for the sudden appearance of the items on page 27 under Sub-Heads 19 and 20 is as follows:

Up to 1928 this vote was included in the Treasury vote but in that year it was considered that as the accounts were kept in the Harbour Office and the Harbour Master, who is also the Government Coaling Officer, was responsible for the administration, it would be more fitting to place this vote under the Harbour Department. Due to a misunderstanding this item was omitted from both the Treasury and Harbour Department estimates for 1929 and a supple- mentary vote was taken. This item now appears under Head 13 for the first time.

Rent, Light and Water Allowances for Slipway Staff.

This item in the past has also been included in a Treasury Vote "Head 34 Sub-Head 41," "Rent allowance for Asiatic Sub- ordinate Officers." As the Slipway Staff are under the Harbour Department it has been considered more appropriate to show it under Head 13.

Govt. Marine Surveyors Department.

The hon. senior unofficial member has pointed out in his speech that there are already four launches detailed for duty with He stated as the Government Marine Surveyors Department. follows:-"In view of the fact that every Shipyard of the Colony can now be reached by bus or tram with considerable saving of time over travelling by launch and also that the Marine Surveyor

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