CO129-541-2 Estimates 1931 14-10-1932 - 19-7-1934 — Page 8

2.

8

14/X

Gov. 467

Trs. Ordce No.29.1932. "Appropriation Ordce" 1932

3.

Gov. Conf. 2.

14/x.

Refers to certain financial matters which are at present Confidential.

The financial position of the Colony as

revealed by the Estimates is satisfactory. The

Estimates were subject to very little criticism in

the Hong Kong Legislative Council or in the Hong

Kong Press.

They have passed through the

Legislative Council without amendment, and I have

little further comment beyond that contained in

my minute on 16.11.32.

The loan expenditure covered by the Resolutions

forwarded with the 0.A.G's despatch, No. 480((64) on

92639/32 ) corresponds with the estimated expenditure

for 1933 in Appendix V (B) of the Estimates except

for the addition of the expenditure on the Tytam Tuk

of which catchwaters, authorisation for the charging/to

loan account vobis, is now sought. The expendi-

ture on these catchwaters is estimated at

$690,000 of which $300,000 is to be spent in 1933

and the balance in 1934.

te

It is important that

everything possible should be done to improve as

soon as possible the present inadequate water

supply.

As recently as this summer there was

a very serious shortage of water in the Colony.

Expenditure on these catchwaters can be regarded

as productive, and I think that agreement should

be given for them to be charged to loan account.

I