1923-10-05 — Page 5

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Census taken in April, 1921, is about 8.000, the majority of whom are already fairly well housed in different parts of the Colony; and judging by the test which that population has grown during the last two derales, it seems unlikely that in the next two decades or so it would increase greatly out of proportion to the past rate, or to such a number ・ns woulit actually need the enormous area proposed to be reserved for them Apart from other considerations, it is economically unsound to detach a vast area of goed Imsilding land from a locality which is rapidly developing, and to set it aside in order to meet the needs of section of the community who requires only a very small portion of it for a long time to come. Mr. Kotewall is therefora of the opinion that only such an area in that locality as will adequately meet the present needs of the British residents, should he reserved for thera. with a reasonable ronrgin of land allowed for re- creation grenuils ant for future expan-

*ian.

The question of the setting aside of rearevations for different sections of the Community has received the most anxious sideration of the Commissioners; anit ars of opinion, after carefully study- they ing the very special circumstances prevail. ing in this Colony, including proximity to the teeming populations of the adjacent listarbed previnges, who in times of dise order in China Hock down to Hongkong in tens of thousands, that it is the bound en duty of the Government to make reer vataions, by means of demarcations of areas and special conditions of sale, in such areas for (n) British residents, and permanent residents of other races respectively. See also paragraphs 123 and

1:24).

::

A SEVERE LAND #OOM"

As regards the British residents in the Kowloon Peninsula, the need for measuresi being urgently taken by the Government is manifest. The Southern portion, of the Peninsula, which up to about 10 years ago was happily free from the attentions of the

land

speculator, has lately been pass ing through avere land boom which, unfortunately for the general body of ten- ants, who in the long run are the sufferers, still continues. The result of this boom has been that the properties in what is of the district mainly inhabited the by Europenins, have in the course of the. last, two years soured from about 2 dollarsi to over dollars a square foot cn xale prices; and Yaumati toqueven greater height.

centre

recommend the Government to convert

·

OCTOBER 5TH, 1923.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRE

THE COLONIAL BUDGET.

REVIEW OF THE ESTIMATES BY H.E. THE GOVERNOR.

THE BIG WATERWORKS UNDERTAKING: AN ESTIMATE

A

REMARK

OF $17,000,000.

ON THE LAND BOOM AND

HOUSING.

reserve as an Euripean Reservation. (sul- jet to the Military requirements referrest hills, surrounding anal forming part of tin paragraph 1201 the whole of the Yout. King's Park on the West North amt kn-t side, and also the hilly area immliately najoming Much foothills, which adjoining nren is situate between King's Park and the Railway on the East and between King's Park and Nathan Head on the West, Mr. Bailey and the Chairman have carefully gone over this land, and have come to the emphatic conclusion that this is an absolutely ideal site for the suggested, and they have no hesitation whatever in recommending to the Govern ment that it be used for building, residleness for those of British Race, that the land be sold without auction at a cheap price to applicants approved of by the Giveroor in Council, and that the conditions of sale Co require that the buildings to be erected

A meating of the Hongkong Legislative; in the Financial Statement, isaw in Hon- hall only be occupied by and soil to such persons of British raess as are approved of Council was held in the Council Chamber change Fluctuation Account," showing a ourable Members' hand a heating Ex- by the Governor in Council. It is difficult, yesterday afternoon. They were pre credit alance of 82,431833 at the end of without survey, estimate exactly how

10. This sam many houses could be built, with garden

represents the sterling amounts, spacs around them on the hilly amphis EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (Sir deposit, reconverted into dollars at the originally investel or placed en theatre referred to, but it is believed that R. E STEUBS, K:C M.G.). fully 100 houses could be erected,

His EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER IN COMMAND tween the 15th November and the 13th

Average rate of

obtaining be or "The Thoops (Major-General Sir.

1920, and it is included in th JoUN FOWLER, K.C.M.G., C.B.,

Assets under the healings D.S.O.).

Crown Agents

and Appreciation or taken into account antil an investment is depreciation of storing investments is not

realised and an actual profit or loss results. While on this subject of the form of our accounts I may meation

that budget meeting the Honourable Mr. Lowe last yede's criticised the form in which the Railway seespied the position that for statistical accounts are kept, The Government has

room and

with

sont

Hou, M.-J. H. KEMP, R.C. C.BE

C.B.E. (Colonial_Secretary).

The suggestion which is being made as to a portion of the foothills of King's Park being used for residential purposes is not

new one, and has even in the past been Hon, Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER, -C,M. G. Investment Deposit "Account" advocated by the Government, as appears from the following extract from the Re Committee, consisting of the Director of port af Proceedings of the Public Worky Public Works ( W. Chatham), Colonial Treasurer (ar, R. O. Butch son), Mr. Pollock, Mr. Lau Chu-pak. Mr. Ho Frok, Mr. B. V. D. Parr. and Mr.

H. Dodwells held in

Chan- bet on the 5th February, 1920:-

16

the

As regards European house, provision had been made in the current year's Estimates for the erection of a num ber of such houses on that portin of King's Park which lies to the eastward of the Rifle Rage. The 1 question was at present land, being covered with trees, and undergrowth. The houses were in tended, primarily, for the accom modation of members of the Civil Service

Naval and

area in

waste

fary Establishment for dictis- ing various suggestions, the Com- mittee unanimously agreed to recom mend that, in order to provide addi tional for European house, the Ribe

Hon. Mr. Mcl. MASSER, O.B.E. (Colonial

(Attorney-General).

Treasurer)."

Hon. 112. P. I. HALLIFAS, C.B.E. (Secre

Hon Mr. E. A: IRVING (Director of

tary for Chinese Affairs).

Education).

Hon, Mr. H. T. CRESSY (Director of

Public Works).

Hon. Mr. H. E POLLOCK, K.C. Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLTOAK. Hon. Mr. Chow Suou-SON, Hon. Mr. A. O. LASO. Hon. Mr. A. & Lowe Hon. Mr. R. H. KOTTWALL"

wo run in conjunc Chinese railway we should keep certain accounts in the same form as that used on the Chinese Railways. The Manager. Railway, has en in communica tion with Mr. Lowy, who has not yet been able to assist with the advice which he has kindly, promised, and therefore, al- though the matter is in hand, it has not

Ale. S. B. B. MCFLDERRY (Clerk of been possible to introduce any change in

the present estimates.

Councils).

The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the first re ding of am not exceeding 819,507, 102 reading Bill intituled an Ordinier! to the Public Service of the year.

The COLONIAL TREASURER Seconded. H.E. THE GOVERNOR: Honourable Mem. bers of Legislative Council.-I have the

EXPENDING REVENUE.

Revenue for this year is now expected to exceed our original estimate by cal

$4,400.000 the revised estimate being *2.26,474. The difference is mainly due to the continued high return from the Opinn Monopoly which, as I

mentioned

theshould be

removed and honour to submit for your consideration last year, was not taken into account ini

of the hills bounding King's Park and also any portions of the Park Pelf, in addition to that already referred to, which are unt utilized in connection with the Golf Course, should be rendered

accessible by ronds and disposed of n building sites,"

the Estimates of Revenue and Expendi ture for the year 1924, And I feel sure you will agree with me that they disclose finances of the Colony. 199 a most satisfactory conilition in the

framing our Estimate, and to largely in- creased land sales, premin Erora which are on expected to total 8,500,000. I will refer to these two matteys later,

This boom price of land in Kowloon forms a sharp contrast to the Hill. Districts

The original estimate of this year's on the Island of Hongkong where tail is

When the estimates of revenue and ex- expenditure was 8,663.837; the revised being put up to auction by the Cloverzzycut

penditure for the rear 1992 were revised estimate is $21,570,530, the decrease being at 12 cents a square foot, and where it is

on the basis of the actual revenue and due to the inability of the Public Works the custom for the applicant for the land

We have recently received information expenditure during the first half of the Department to spend all the money allot- not to be bid against, (a custom which we that there is some likelihood that the east-year 1922 it was anticipated that we should ted to wit for public works extraordinary. auto y fixed and immutable fact by selling King's Park, . the side next to the Rail of $7,

oru bile of the range of hills encircling open the year 1993 with a credit balance Recurrent expenditure in the Public

first applicant without any auction what Offerra of the Regiment, to be stationed partly accounted for be the fact that ex repairs necessitated by typhoon weather. now shown as 312,45 his. This increase is over 3 lacs, partly on account of heavy ever, because he has in most cases been to at Gun Club Hill and their wives, Whilst penditure was less by one one million Increased revenue had caused an inereste that the Military have dollars than was anticipated while the of 9300,000 in Military Contribution, he trouble and expense selecting the fully recognizing most strongly recom.revenue from opium. stamp dut am while under Miscellaneous Serriges an iz.i

first claim we would mead the Government to now reserve the land sales was anderestimated to the extent crease of nearly a million is expected. Tsimshats where British residents have Western and Northern part of much eirgle of rather more than one million dollars thing the payment of the balance of the To this heading has been debited 8300.000, The balance of the extens

is due to 11 Endowment Fund change in the method of account-keeping!

promised to the Univer in connection with the Colony's sterling sit; a sum of 2 Ines for redemption of The accepted rule has hitherto subsidiary going also the sum of $250,000 been that the original amount of dollars voted for relief in Japan and $230.000 invested continues to be shown, while the towards the Colony's expenses in conner amount of sterling stock held, its netual tion with the British Empire Exhibition, cost, and its market value on the last day of the financial year, are given in separ ate statement. There has been introduced

Jund in future in the" Hill District: to the way, may be required for quarters for the 37,631.985, whereas the actual figure is Works Department shows an increase of

site).

The recent huge sale prices of land at

breu arcustomed to live for years "past, sind at Yaumati where Chinese residents of the middle and working class make their homes, must be regarded as a positive" dia. aster to the tennuts; and this situation calls for immediate and drastic action ou the part of the Government, in order to protect permanent residents who, surely, have the right in British Colony to ex- pect decent housing accommiation at a rent which bear, some rënonable propor- tion to their incomes, and to be protected from the economie and other consequences enused by the influx into the Colony of tens of thousands of Chinese from the majuland,

of hills for British civilian residents in the manner suggested above,

RESERVATION OF KOWLOON FOOTHILLS

·AND HILLS.

* Moreover, in order to secure the future housing of persons of British race we re commend that the Government, in addition to the measure suggested in paragraphs 118 and 120 of this Report, do mark ou us an European Reservation, and to the fullest possible extent for occupation develope by British Residents, the Kowloon foothills together with the hills behind, which are marked green on the plast of the Colony Enclosure No. 7). We recommend that the section within the red dotted lines be developed first by the Government. seing at a height of 50 to 450 feet above sea level, that this section contains a tract of land the eastern portion of which is capable of Musting be the one al Generalny development and laying out for butle

of the Kowloon Residents ing purposes. In fact part of such ciation (eg Enclosure 6 containing printed eastern portion was formerly suggested by extracts from those articks and that the Government as suitable site for the speech); and it has been shown that the

Kowloon Hospital. Any such Reservations is not a facial question. It is would, of course, be subject to any rights

The question of the necessity of making European reservations has been pressed in all the four British newspapers in this upon the Government by leading articles Colony, and also in the speech of the Vigo,

en reonomic question, but it is of any present owners of land.

also one involving the health and reason. able comfort of Europeans living in a climate which is hot, and trying in the

Numer.

European Reservations are alus vocated in leisers (39), (40) and (42) in Enclosure 1.

A side argument in favour of European Reservations is that, in times of strike or other internal commotions, an aggregation of British residents in one district renders it easier for them to take common aétion for the defense of the whole comminuity ngainst disorder,

RESERVATIONS ESPECIALLY NECESSARY IS

.KOWLOON.

We feel that such reservations are pere pspecially researy in Kowloon an even- omic grounds, having regard to the fact that the British residents in the Penip bula are, generally speaking, less wealthy and consequently less able to pay a high rent than those who live in the "Hill District.

The position of affairs as regards hous ing accommodation for British residents at Kowloor is one of great gravity, because wealthy Chiarse have bought up, during the last few months, at high prices, several TOWS D

of buildings, situate is the District between Nathan Road on the West and Chatham Road the East (nutil recently regarded as a aquani-European Reservation and still largely

by Europeans), Occupied and there is a probability that yet further purchases will be made in the same District for the housing of refugees from China. Moreover the demand on housing accom- modation in Kowloon has recently been considerably increased by the recent com- pulsory remove) (owing to housing short- inge) from the Island of Hongkong to Kowloon

(1) of married employés H.. Noval

Yard

(2) of Porkuggesʊ from Belilins Terrace

and elsewhere and their families. The Chairman and Mr. Bailey, after enrefully exploring, the whole of the Kow- loon lands to the south of the range of hills behind, the Kowloon Peninsula, liave come, without any doubt whitever, to, the conclusions that the Government ought under the circumstances above detailed, to

** In order, however, that building may be encouraged to the full. in the section within the red dotted lines, and that a sue- cessful British settlement may grow up, we recommend that the Government take all the following cosqucial steps, as promptly as la practicable:--

(1) Adopt the advice contained in para- graph 51 as to the development by the Government of new namely:-

areas,

To give greater encouragement to pioneers be constructing reads, gewers, mains, training of nul- Inhet cern, at Government expense in new areas, even when the number of houses to be built is in the first instance."

Continued, sa nezt coluning)

COMMISSIONERS FAVOUR RESERVATIONS ALL HOUND.

"NEXT YEAR'S ESTIMATES.

For 1924 the revenue is estimated to amount to $1,589,934, the principal in. creases byer the original estimate of re- venue for this year being under the heads of A-seled Taxes Stamp Dutics, Interest, and Land Sales

The expenditure for next year is enti- mated to mount to $24,924,607, being an increase of over two million dollars over

estimate. the original estimate for this year and three tiillion dollars over the revised

i.

The various increases and decreases in

each department and the reasons therefore are set aut in the Sessionn! Paper which has been laid on the table, and I will refer only to the more important items.

*We desire to add that we are in favour

desiring such reservations, and preferring of reservations of round for any races, Chinese, Portuguese. Indians and other above cunditions 1. 2. 1, and in the above conditions 1, 2, 3, and 4 in. para graph 12 should apply, autofis matundis,

such Reservations also, * We accordingly recommend that the Government should, in rural districts, grant land, as reservations, at a cheap Fate without auction to permanent residents of all races who desire to live among their own kind with a clause to restrain” resale, Under the heading "Governor," two or allenation to persons not of the metelephone clerks have been added to the establishment for Government House to re place two Chinese Constables who formerly performed the duties.

·FACE,

The rate of exchange adopted for these estimates is 212 as against 2/4 in respect of this year. Salaries continue to be paid at a fixel exchange.

la this connection we would point out that the Chinese have already shown an inclination to live by themselves in the

The addition of two new. Unpinsed rural districts of the Colony, as may he Cadets and the ordinary annual incro- instanced the projected settlement for Chinments of officers scent for the increase ese initiated by the Honourable Mr. Chow under the Cadet Service. Shon auf others near Deep Water renti the large settlement of Chinese

gentlemen that is

being

carried out on the

CHILD LABOUR.

J

An Industrial Sub-Department has been formed in the Secretariat for Chinese

lower part of Stables Road:

Affairs for the regulation of the employ other Chinese settlements in rural districtment of children under Ordinance No. 22 both present and projected

to

The Portuguesa nu are to be congratu: 3119 Excellent progress has been made. Jated upon the success of their settlement

co-operation of the

employers, and abuses in con-

Chi

Amongst the et ceteras required are at Ho Man Tia, aml wi hope that the etion with the under which

eltric light and water. Adequate Police Protection is an-

other obvious need

(2) Mark out promptly, and publish "particulars of, the dimensions of lots

which are available for building.

THE DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Government will encourn ge similar

disappearing schemes of cooperative building on their children work are part, and on, the part of others.

In the Harbour Department a branch Office for the better control of junks similar boats, recently opened

nud Shauki- at wan, bas necesitated the appointment of (3) Sell such lots at a cheap rate, with that seemed to us to have important bear stations was formerly done by the Police,

Having

now dealt with all the points an assistant Tuspector. This work at out. out auction, for occupation by perings on this grave housing problem, it Sons of British race.

were unable to devote the necessary only (4) Encourage private persons approved

(8) If houses are in future

remains for us to say that whilst it is con- time to it. The increase in furs resulting ceivable that the transfer of the military from direct Harbour Office supervision. centrally situated, land and the more than covers the •cost. of the additional completion of the Prays East Reclamation staff.

tojosa

我

are

of by the Governor in Council to build for their own occupation upon the terms set out in paragraph 44 of this

this Report

may bring a measure of relief after an In the Imports and Exports.Department interval of some years we regard it as three additional Earonpen Revenue Off- (5) Encourage by easy terms firms and the duty of the Government to deal gar cors and one additional Senior Chinese companies located in Kowloon to ourly and at once with the present housing Revenue Officer has been included for the build houses for their British em shortage, more especially as we find our better supervision of the staff generally pkavas upon the higher levels on the selves unable to take the optimistic view and on account of the increased attention principle of the Taikoo batidings in the gap.abore Quarry Bay hired for

settle after so many ears unrest, the now paid to the impurtation of Chinese hbouring provinces of Chiun

liquors The increased price of charcoal Government Servants stationed at to mich an extent as to relieve this Colony pots has necessitated increases of $7,000

used for boiling opium and of the

oplum Kowloon, build such hautes within of the stupendous task of housing tens of 14 is proud to purchase a new Motor to area, in question.

85,000 in fuel and packing expenses. thousands of Chinese refugees who periodi. efficient

calls flock into the Colony from the main truck to replace the pur at present in use land of China. Furthermore, even if that for the conveyance of

the

opíum

tim to and (B) Construct a through tram from the rent desideretum for the trade of this from the factory

Star Ferry to 450, fest above sea and Stahle Government at Canton-could of the

Colony

as well as of Kwantung.a strong Ta the Roval Obrvatory the salaries

stall level, wab its terminus at some.con-

Europen

been somewhat venient spot in the black lines section alder is highly questionable whether, in graphor and a printer added in connection

establishe

in the near future, we can increased, and two new note of a litho shown in Encloenro 7 with an ade-view of us many past years of unrest in with the publication of the various reports. quate service of trams, including Kwongtang and Kamps, rick men from In accordance with the suggestions made some, Don-stop frame at certain thow provins would abandon the bavens by the Chamber of Commerce an or hours of the day...

an evening (Continued at foot of next column);

of rest which they have made for them weather report is now issued." selves and their families in Honkong.

(Centinued on page 7)

()sport by p

by motor bus quadrat

Kownon City

to

REQUISITES OF THE MODE

1

THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MATTER.

HAIR ORNAMENTS

BRILLIANT VARIETY.

SMART EVENING BAGS

IN NEW COLORINGS.

EVENING GLOVES & FANS

MARABOUT WRAPS

FOR EVENING OR DAY. WEAR: ·

FASCINATING 'UNDIES'

IN BLUE, PINK, MAUVE, AND YELLOW

ALL HANDMADE.

'Phone 1741.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

No. I EXTRA FINE OLD BRANDY.

"

THE SHARK BRANDY.

Per bottle, including duty

13

case

Bottled by Boutillier, Delauriere &

Co

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

COLUMBIA"

NEW

PROCESS

DANCE

RECORDS

FOR OCTOBER

NEW

PROCESS

ANDERSON'S.

Powell

JAEGER”

td.

GOLF COATS AND SWEATERS

AFTERNOON

GOWNS

MERIDIAN

UNDERWEAR