CO129-519-2 Estimates for 1930 19-9-1929 - 19-9-1929 — Page 176

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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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We should like to know why the Government is to be held responsible for the training of the Government Marine Surveyors in England and also why the amount for such training has increased from $7,200 in 1929 to $20,945 in 1930.

(9) On page 30, we would ask for an explanation of the new item "Allowances to 17 Diesel Engineers at $120 each."

(10) In connexion with the new item on page 34 "Inspection Officer (Fire Brigade) $5,400," we should like to be informed as to the necessity for such an Inspection Officer and what duties he is to perform.

(11) With regard to the item on page 58 "Launch to replace S.D.3, $30,600," we understand that this launch was wrecked near the Futau Mun in returning from a picnic excursion, at Shek O-a very unusual route and we should be glad to learn whether the Government has given instructions in order to prevent a repetition of such costly picnic proceedings at the expense of the revenue of this Colony.

(12) We should like particulars of the "Building grants $60,000" Item 28 on page 63).

(13) On page 85, item 51 "Kowloon British School," we regret to see that the Government only proposes to spend in 1930 $60,000 on this work out of a total sum of $725,000 required to complete the school. Why is this?

(14) In connexion with item 57 on page 86 "Port works $2,000," this suggested expenditure seems to us to be wholly inadequate in view of the need which has existed for many years past for the build- ing of an arm to the Typhoon Refuge at Yaumati, in order to ward off the damaging effects of a typhoon wind from the South. We venture to hope that this work will, therefore, receive the early at- tention of the Government.

(15) In connexion with the Grants-in-aid, on page 101, my honourabe friend, Dr. Tso, desires us to draw attention to the fact that a grant-in-aid is urgently needed by the Mun Sang College which is the only Anglo-Chinese Middle School in Kowloon City.

Conclusion.

We have not attempted to deal with the recommendations of the Salaries Commission, which are not included in the figures of the present Budget, because we presume that those recommendations will be later on brought before us by the Government in due form, by motion.

The European Members of this Council consider that the time has now arrived when an area of land should be set apart by the Govern