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A small public work of much utility mmends itself for the benefit of hose who have to resort to the Kow- loon Hospital for medical attention and advice and to bus patrons also. To the ordinary observer it will be seen that no shelter or waiting place for the buses is provided for those who make use of the Hospital. I feel sure a suitable cover or shelter can be erected in the open space at the junction of Argyle and Waterloo Roads, at comparatively small cost, that would be greatly appreciated.
Poor Lighting
The cutting down of expenditure for lighting both on the Island and on the mainland is greatly to be deplored. Accidents occur through poor and insufficient lighting, more so in public thoroughfares SO dimly lighted as at Kowloon. The obliga- tion is imposed upon Government, in presence of recommendations by Coroner's Jury during the year, to improve the lighting rather than to reduce it. It is noticed that on the Hongkong side a saving of $15,000 is proposed for 1936, and at New Kowloon a saving of $1,000, $16,000 in all. Whether the economy is a wise one remains to be proved, but public opinion strongly advocates better and improved lighting for the personal safety of pedestrians and motor car drivers. Owners of motor
vehicles contribute quite an apprecia- ble amount of the revenue in the petrol they consume and for the licences they pay.
Neglected Homuntin clamours for some minor favours as a despised child of a paternal Government. The locality is favoured as the home of quite a number of families. Having nowhere else to play, dozens of children living in the district have of necessity to use the streets as playgrounds. Residents justly claim for some reserved open space near by for the children to play in. The oft-repeated complaint of the pre- valence of malarial mosquitoes in the district since the early days of its settlement continues to persist. It is alleged that the presence of market gardens in the vicinity is to be held partly responsible for malaria; it is worth inquiring into.
This last summer cases of malaria have been very numerous. Despite complaints in the columns of the local newspapers urging anti-malarial measures, the district has been com- paratively neglected, and nothing much has been done to eradicate the evil. Flushing facilities, due to the lack of drainage improvement, are conspicuous by their absence. The devious route and infrequency of buses, especially during business hours, causes considerable in- convenience to a large number of residents, and to those who have to visit the Kowloon Hospital. Public convenience demands attention to the inadequacy of the service.
ment
New Territory Produce
The formation and inauguration of the Equine Sports Club at Shatin re- opens the vision of a large inter- national park and playground in that district. When funds are available the starting of the first section of the circular road from Ngau Shi Wan to Saikung, round to Shatin might be commenced. The first section is the small stretch from beyond the Kai Tak Aerodrome to Ma Yue Tong. The idea should commend itself for the scenic beauties of the country and their attractions to tourists and motor car owners in Hongkong.
For the marketing of New Terri- tory produce it is satisfactory to note that provision has been made for increased lan facilities in Kowloon for the sale in bulk of vegetables. This was recommended by the 1933 New Territories Produce Marketing Committee. The scheme appears to be doing much good, and in the opinion of the District Officer (North) it is stipulating local vegetable pro- duction. In this connection I have received a Chinese letter from the Executive Committee of the New Territories Agricultural Association, who seek permission from the Govern- ment for the farmers to erect separate sheds on sites on which they could sell in the day time, and in which they
to avoid the could sleep at night, necessity and expense of constant travelling. The Agricultural Associa- tion will be glad of permission for the erection of matsheds for the dis-
The recurrence of armed robberies posal of the farmers' produce in the in the New Territories has been giving Where the provi- residents cause for anxiety and alarm. manner suggested. sion of cheaper perishable produce The situation is, I am happy to think, can be obtained without any infringe-engaging the attention of Government, of the Sanitary regulations, and the step proposed, among others, there is every reason to hope that for increasing the strength of the Government might see fit to provide Police to combat the growing evils of robbery and banditry should help to The District Officer (North) re- restore confidence which has been cords in his annual report that badly shaken through the prevalence "development in lay-out areas involves of robbery with violence in far-off Government in a recurrent expendi-districts in the Territories. ture for the maintenance of roads, etc.," and the growth of the Yuen Long Market is stated as being most lead to striking. These statements the conclusion that the development of the New Territories is proceeding apace. With such development, con- tractors may anticipate the necessity for transporting larger and bulkier structural materials, principally steel, to outlying districts. With heavier loads, the strengthening of roads and bridges is almost imperative if the Police exercise, as we know they do, their vigilance in preventing the use of roads by trucks and lorries ex- ceeding a certain maximum specified weight. It should also be noted that some of the bridges were constructed many years ago, and the time seems to have arrived when their safety might be looked into before any seri- ous mishap occurs.
the desired facilities.
Public Works Government's decision to prosecute advanced public works of great magnitude to gratifying and must be endorsed as entirely satisfactory. There need be no abandonment of hope for the
their conclusion is
future when it is realised that Govern- ment pursues its policy of the judici- ous and discriminate employment of labour, preferably in works of a re- character, and for the productive benefit of the public in whose safe keeping its destiny partly lies.
water. These
Instead of timidity that might have dictated the holding up of works of great public utility and for the protec- tion of Society, the Government is continuing major works at an ex- than 18 million dollars. This can be penditure in the aggregate of more
set down to its credit. Added to those large public works are such as have Pigs and Poultry
been projected, initiated and com- Some disappointment must be ex- pressed at the absence of reference pleted by private enterprise with sub- to the matter of pig breeding and scribed money. Only a few of the ones need be men- poultry farming on the mainland. most important This disappointment is emphasized by the electric supply schemes on both tioned, like the deepening of the port, the fact that a Committee of a few sides of the harbour, and the bulk of Hongkong's leading residents and businessmen have devoted much time transportation services on land and by and thought in collating evidence and achievements reflect creditably on the public and private in the formulation of recommendations skill and exemplary spirit both of for adoption by the Government. The the Government and of its inhabitants, failure to let the public into Govern and proclaim that Hongkong and its ment confidence of
any projected
dependencies, despite extraneous in- scheme under consideration with re-
fluences, continue to retain their gard to this matter is much to be
vitality and a spirit of courage and regretted. Mr. C. F. Strikland's re-enterprise that cannot easily be sub- Finally, Hamuntin taxpayers make
port, of the 29th June, 1935, tabled. a point of the inequity of the public
at the last meeting of the Council, amenities they obtain on the whole does not deal specifically with the from a Government to which they industries in question. Some pay the same proportional rates and surance might be forthcoming from taxes as residents in other parts of the Government that an enterprise of the Colony. This is a problem to so much potential value and the trade which it appears difficult to turn a) to be created thereby in the Colony deaf ear, and one whose urgency' has not been lost sight of and that demands immédiate and satisfactory implementation of the Committee's solutiori:
as-
recommendations will be brought nearer the stage of accomplished facts in the immediate future.
į
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