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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
one was so fully occupied, first with the water crisis and then with the Budget, that it was found impossible to make progress. It is hoped that the Committee will resume its labours next month and will before long be able to make useful representations to Government on this important subject. Meanwhile the Government prefers not to anticipate the recommendations of the Committee but will await its report before putting forward specific proposals. I am, however, authorised to say that any practicable proposal for the establishment of a Chinese Golf Course will receive the sympathetic consideration of the Government. As regards the children's playgrounds in Kowloon to which special reference has been made, arrangements are now in hand to convert the triangle at the junction of Salisbury and Chatham Roads into a public garden and playground on the vote in the current year's Estimates. I might add that so far I have been able to ascertain no previous complaint has been received by the Govern- ment regarding the railings of the Chatham Road playground and enquiries will now be made in this matter.
The Government notes with satisfaction the unofficial approval of its attitude towards Aviation and while it can hold out no hope of an increased contribution from the Air Ministry towards the cost of Kai Tak Aerodrome it has every reason to hope that substantial help towards the cost of the development of the Air Port will be
forthcoming from the Colonial Development Fund recently instituted by the Home Government.
In connection with Broadcasting the Government has made a small provision in the Estimates, and while it sympathises with the honour- able member's desire for more extensive provision it feels that other demands have prior claims on the funds available.
Attention is drawn to the sums provided for afforestation in the North and South districts of the New Territories and it is suggested that they are inadequate. I should explain that these sums are for very minor schemes supervised by the District Officers and are adequate for their purpose. Large schemes of afforestation are more properly placed under the control of the Botanical and Forestry Department and adequate provision is made under Head 27.
The accommodation at the Post Office will receive consideration in consultation with the Post Master General. Office accommoda- tion generally is becoming inadequate and the needs of the Government service as a whole are being considered by a small departmental committee.
The honourable member has referred to the appointment of an Inspection Officer for the Fire Brigade. This officer is required for the inspection of buildings in respect of their safety from risk of fire. On page 45 of the Administrative Report for 1928 of the Captain Superintendent of Police and the Chief Officer, Fire Brigade, will be found a report of the inspection work done during 1928. It involved the inspection of 982 buildings including 407
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