CO129-574-2 Draft programme of public works 5-8-1938 - 23-9-1938 — Page 2

b.6.1.

1. Ger.613

5.8.38.

2 works

Cents aft programme of majes pletive wo

to be commenced during

likely

which are the next few years.

The Governor forwards a programme of major

public works which are likely to be commenced during

the next few years. These are set out in detail

in the enclosure to the despatch.

Briefly, the total

(See 53934/38)

(see para. 5

of 1 on above)

cost during the next five years is estimated at

$13,135,000 which will be spread fairly evenly over

the five years. :

This amount does not seem to me excessive

and the annual cost is about the same as the average

spent on Public Works Extraordinary during the last

five or six years. The separate items of

expenditure all seem desirable and necessary and I

think it is satisfactory that a comprehensive plan

for several years ahead should have been drawn up.

As far as the rebuilding of Government House and the

plan for City development are concerned, we have

already approved the form and the whole scheme will

be financed by the sale of Crown land.

$3,000,000 of the total is for the

erection of a new infectious diseases hospital and

for an extension of the Kowloon Hospital. I think

there is no doubt that these are necessary and Hong

Kong has already proposed an increase of its Medical

staff to deal with its many urgent health problems.

From the financial point of view I think

Hong Kong can afford these works, the cost of which

are to be met from Revenue. The Colony is, at the

present, benefiting from a temporary boom and has

received