1923-10-19 — Page 3

Page

THE COLONIAL BUDGET.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS – FRIDAY

OCTOBER 19TH,

In connection with this subject I have the clearing out of drains by chains ascertained from an officer in the Buildshould, in the interests of Public Health, ing Ordinave Office, that the month of be confined to the early morning hours Angust constituted a new high record in There should also, we think, be a the passing of plaus and that, inasmuch modern Refuse Destructor plant for the

CRITICISMS AND SUGGESTIONS BY as building plans come in as a rule destruction of garbage and rubbish

UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

several months after the sale of land for building on, it is likely that the present pressure on the Building Office will be much increased during the next six

HON MR. LOWE ON "LEGALISED ROBBERY months

BY OVERTAXATION,

SUGGESTED REMOVAL OF THE UNIVERSITY TO SOUTH SIDE OF THE ISLAND.

NEW TRÀM PROJECT TO MAGAZINE - GAP..

A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber yesterday. There were present:-

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (Sir

R. E. Bruas, K.C.M.G.). H18 EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER IN COMMAND OF THE TROOPs. (Major-General Sir JOHN FOWLER, KCMG C.B.. D.SO).

Hon. Mr. A.. G. M. FLETCHER, C.M.G,

C.B.F. (Colonial Secretary). « Hon. Mr. J. H. Kear, KC, C.B.E.

(Attorney-General).

Hon. Mr. Mel, Messau. O,B.E. (Colonial

Treasurer).

Hon. Mr. ER HALLIFAX. C.B.E. (Seere

tary for Chinese Affairs)."

Hon. Mr. E. A. Invisa (Director of

Education).

Hon. Mr. H. T.CHEAST (Director of

Public Works),

Hon, Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C.

Hon Mr. P. II. HOLYOAK.

Hun. Mr. Crow ShopBox.

Hon. Mr. A. R. Lowe

Hon. Mr. R.-H. KOTEWALL

BIRTHS AND DEATHS REGIS-

TRATION ORDINANCE.

The Arrouser-GENERAL moved the Recond reiding of the Bill intituled An

Ordinance to amend the Births · athl Deaths Registration Ordinance, 1890

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to."

The Council resolved itself into Com-

mittre to consider the Bill clause by clause, and it passed through without amendment.

On the Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed into law.. NEW TERRITORIES REGULATION

ORDINANCE:

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved. the second reading of the Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend further the Now

Territories Regulation Ordinance. 1910.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded,, und

the motion was agreed to..

The Bill passed through the Committee stage without amendment and on Council

Mr. S. B. B. Mchomay (Clerk of resuming it was read a third time and

Councils),

ABSENT.

Hon. Mr. A. O, LANG.

TES.

The minutes of the last meeting "were confirmed nad signed by the President. TRIBUTE TO THE LATE MR.

S. B. C. ROSS.

passed into law.

A

THE BUDGET.

HON MR. POLLOCK PRESENTS

VIEWS OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the reading of a Bill intituled An Ordinance to apply a sus not exceeding Nineteen

thousand three hundred and two dollars to the Public Service of the year 1934.. H.E. THE GOVERNOR Gentlemen, as

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded. you are aware, we have, since our last Hon. Mr. H E POLLEGE, E.CF, Sir. meeting, received news of the death of colleagues to address the Council on their I have been asked by my Unofficial

avory valued public servant, Mr. Carue behalf, leaving it to them to bring for. Ross. I have endeavoured, in a Gazette ward individually any special points notice published yesterday, to express which they wish to make.

The Members of the Council rising in million eight hundred and ninety-seven their places.

It must also be remembered that the Government has hanging over it at the present moment: huge.public works, such the Kowloon Waterworks Extension and Road developments in Kowloon, and the Harbour Development Scheme, which, will occupy the attention of a consider. able staff, for wany years to come.

EDUCATION

On the subject of Education we would once again urge the Government to push on with the Sayingpan school, and, if possible, to complete it within the year 1024.

RAILWAY. Z

In connection with this expensive con cern, we should like to be supplied with figures showing the liabilities of the Chinese section for damages to the British section, owing to the long hold up of the through train connection to POLICE STAFF.

Canton, and also to be informed what Passing on to the question of Police security we have got for the payment of Staff, we consider that the proposed in-those, fiabilities, crease of that staff, which is described Also, we should like to know whether by Your Excellency as a very big and the recessity for the Government order- expensive increase," is quits insufficient ing extra rolling-stock is not in part, and if soto what extent, due to tho having regard to:··

destruction of some of our rolling-stock by Chinese military operations, and, if so, whether we are not entitled to some reimbursement from the Chinese Author- ities on that ecerant).

แ

(i) The fact that the preservation of law and order is one of our chief needs, and is, indeed, one of our chief assets theory the neighbour ing Provinces of Chinas (i) The population of the Colony, especially on the Kowloon side, is increasing enormously: (iii) The criminal population of the Colony and its crimes of violence and depredations on property have also enormonsly increased. as WIL neas the following extrae's from the Captain-Superintendent of Police's Report for 100

(a) Increase of serious, offences, as

compared with 1991 Murder

increase 10 17

Burglary and Larceny

Robbery

from dwelling..........

Piracy

Unlawful possession.. Other Jelonies

connection

murders, no arrest was

27 cases.

In connection with 67 street and highway robberies, no at rests were made in 74 cases.

In connection with 11 cases of robbery on boats and junks, no arrest was made in 9 cases.

In connection with 23 enses of robbery with violence, no arrest was made in 91 ease

Also, we notice (from the Sessional paper 8 of 1923, p.18) that more extra posts are being created on the railway than those which are abolished, which seems strange at a time of restricted traffic like the present, PUBLIC WORKS' EXTRAORDINARY➡KOWLOON

HOSPITAL

the

We would urge the Governinent to push on with all possible speed with the completion of the Kowloon Hospital, a work which has hung fire for so long.. Tae following short history of negotiations in regard to it has been supplied by a member of the Committed 152 of the Kowloon Residents' Association:.. "On 20th May, 1990, the Government 42 invited the Kowloon Residents' Associa 17tion to choose a site. On 13th Septem- the 35 her, 1920, Government considered the made in site proposed by the Kowloon. Residents' adesssociation as the most suitable for the In connection with 121 gang purpose. On 3rd March, 1991, Mr. robberies, no arrest was made in Pollock asked in the Legislative Council 100 enses.

when work would be commenced. Tho answer was that it is not possible at present to give a date. Sketch plans have been propared and are considered satisfactory. It is possible that work on the site will be commenced within two months and when detailed plans are finished, tenders will be invited. On the 3rd August, 1991, Public Works Com- mittee considered plans for a new hos Then we read ander the pital. On 2th October, 1971, the Gover hoading* Property stolen and nor in his Budget Speech said that in Property Recovered."The es Kowloon a large sum is provided" for timated value, of property stolen work on the hospital. On 28th Decem during 1929 was 8982,074.48 49 ber, 1991. Cavernment wrote to the ngainst $176,531,78 in 1921, an in: Kowlson Residents Association saying crease of over $300,000. The the hospital would probably take two average for the last years is years to construct. In April, 1992, Mr: $492,556.91, an increase on the re Fletcher met the Committee on the site. port în 1821 of 8118,790.46 The He explained that the original site would In the first place we enn eongratulat

value of property recovered dur- have to be cut down 40 feet to assist the Government and the Colony upou

ing the year 1923 was $81,098.81, development of surrounding area. the satisfactory manner in which Hevenue

against 31,383.99 in 1921, an in- contemplate with equanimity a large pro continues to flow in, thus enabling us to

crease over property recovered The Estimates give in 1991 of $46,715,82,"

ticules

the following par-

gramme of Fublic Works Extraordinary,

From the above figures it will be seen in we entirely concur Excellency's remarks upon the "wisdom that the public suffered in 1922 from and I have known him more or less over of the policy of expending on works of rotherics and thefts (deducting the value since; in fact it was at my suggestion, development as large sums as can be of the property recovered from the value remember that in 1012 Mr. Ross was adequately employed during the year. of the property stolen) a nett loss of employed in the Colonial Office at Home

In fact we should like. iu these times $800,000 worth of property. In 1921 the when we have so many demands for the nett loss was about $340,000. in a department in which, as everywhere repid development of fresh building In the Appropriation Ordinance for ele in which he served, he left a record areas, to see the Government keep 1921 the Police Vote for 1992 was of good fellowship and popularity which ing yet more abreast of the demand $1,500,000.

In the Appropriation Ordinance for development, marking out was to be envied. Mr. Ross was a very and granting of sites and passing In the Police Vote for 1923 was roughly efficient officer. One of the last papers of plans for fresh buildings than they $600,000-ends Appropriation Bill

the pending which I had officially in connection with are at present, and, in that connection. him was a high tribute from the Post we venture to doubt whether the pro-1923, the proposed Police Vote for 1924

posed increases to the staff of the is roughly $1,750,000.; master-General at Home as to the ability Public Works Department are sufficient. From the above figures it will be seen he displayed in the somewhat difficult to keep pace with the growing demands that the public last net in thefts and of this rapidly expanding Colony. robberies of property in 1932 a sum

THE NEED FOR SPEEDING UP OF PUBLIC",

WORKS-

the loss to the service which results from the untimely death of this officer. I can only add that I feel a very strong sense of personal loss because I have known Mr. Ross for nearly a quarter of a cen tury. I met him first when we were both sitting for the Civil Service Examination and

fot

the

Your

"

Original Cost -Revised Cost

$360,000,00

854,000.00

Approved: Estimated Expen- diture. 1993 ......

100,000.00 Revised Expenditure in 1923 201,000.00 Estimated Expenditure in

1021

500,000.00

This means that if Government spends what it estimates on the work it cannot be finished much before the end of 1925, nearly two years later than pro-

mised.

Thenolicial enters wouldfered that, if possible, this long-deferred) Hospital be completed during the year WASCHAL GAP TRAN

We regret to find that there is no

task of winding up the affairs of the From the recent Table supplied to us equivalent to nearly 50 per cent of the mention in the Estimates of the Wanchai Postal Agencies in China. He was

has its special diffenlties in conse or are proposing to build in the neigh quence of the waves of crime which hourhood of Wanchai Gap, and between from time to time spread to the Colony Wanchai and Magazine Gap, during periods of unrest in South In October, 1921, Your Excellency, in China. It is necessary, both to cope with introducing the Budget for 1922, said as these periodia outbreaks and at the follows (see Hansard, 1921, p. 137) same time to avoid over-burdening the taxpayer with expenditure which may prove to be unnecessary. The Govern- ment has every hope that the restora- tion of peace and tranquillity in Chin ness as that associated with him ever Works Extraordinary estimate' for 1079 will before long render the task of the since I met him. I have lost a man for was over, four times the amount for 1917.

policeman in Hongkong a less arduous one than at present. whom I had a great affection and I con- With deference we cannot agree with any such contention. The Government ought wider His Majesty's Service has lost an to be run on business lines. What would We regret to find that the above +be thought of a commercial firm which optimism of the Government has not I propose that we enter

had to say to its customers (the public): been justified by subsequent events, and on the

Our work has so enormously increased we can see to grounds for optimism in minutes of the Council the regret with that really we cannot cope with the the near future.docx

In regard to the timbers required in which the Council has learned of the orders and demands made upon us? " leath of Mr. Ross,

Surely those customers would justly the Police, it must be borne in mind that, The Hon. Mr. POLLOCK: Sir, on be reply You should have looked for in addition to their ordinary duties for ward, and, when you found the demands the prevention and detection of crime

in many ways peculiarly lovable Question 5 of the Honourable Mr. A. R. In his Budget speech for last year the Cameron District which, we under cannot properly be developed. That character, a' man very widely read, of Lowe, we notice that, whereas in the Officer Administering the Government stand, will open up sites for 38 houses

yeur 1917 the Government spent a little said, (see Hamarii, 1922, at pago 197) tram will also be of assistance to a. very original mind and a sense of more than the amount of the Estimates The problem of adequate policing certain number of people who have, built humour which was found at times for that year on Public Works Extra- aluust embarrassing in official docu ordinary, we have been going to the bad stendily ever since, the percentage of ments I remember, when he came to actual to estimated expenditure - on sayGood-bye to me on his way Public Works Extraordinary heing 93.01 Home-knowing I think, as most of us 32 per cent. in 1920. 61.47 per cent in per cent, in 1818, 85.02 per cent. ia 1919, did, that his chances of returning were 1921, and 54.08 per cent. in 1922.

No extremely small-be said "Good-bye to doubt we shall be told, in reply, by the me with the same cherry light-hearted Government that that is not a fair com- ment to make, seeing that the Public

ormunent.

"Many works that are desirable, though not very urgent, have had to be dropped for the present. I would mention in particular the tramway to Wanchai Gap, & work which may have to be proceeded with before long as the construction of houses on the new road in the vicinity of Wanchai Gap and on Mount Cameron proceeds. It is recognised that, useful in many ways as the road to the Hill District will be, cheap and rapid transit at regular intervals is necessary to a central point. As, however, no definite plans have been prepared for this work, and has not been decided on, it is unneces the method of working the tramway

Works by a sum that will probably not be spent

half of my unofficial colleagues, I desire on you increasing, you should have pro amongst a rapidly expanding population,ary to increase the vote for Public to say we completely associate ourselves vided the necessary staff to cope with the Polin have now with the words which have fallen from it

your Excellency. It is appreciated by Furthermore, this complaint or short all of us that Mr. Ross was a very age of staff had consequent delays in efficient and capablo public officer and the Public Works Department is by no by his death the Colony has sustained & means a new topic. Speaking on the 18th November, 1020, on behalf of the

severo los8.

PAPERS.

The COLONIAL SKUBETARY, by command of HE. The Governor laid on the table an Order made by the Governor in Council under section-2-(8) of the Mer chant Shipping Amendment Ordinance, DIT made on October 11th; and an Order a Council mado. under section 0 of tang Post Office Ordinance, 1900, revising rates of postages,

FINANCE

The LONIAL SECRETARY by command of HE The Governor," laid on the table Finndant- Minates. Nos. 50 to 88 and mod that they be referred to the Finance Committan

The COLORAL TREASUREE Seconded, and The ination was agreed to.

1.-Powerful distractions, with heavy

rewards, in Opium and As cases. Extra duties as to the control of a largely increased motor trafic Mr. W. 8. Bailey, in a recent letter Unofficial Members, on the Budget for to the Press, shows that Chinese go na 1931, I made the following remarks Haneftrd 1920 at page, 61) single patrol duty in Kowloon at night,

difficult to find at night. With regard to the fact that over One and also that constables of any kind were million dollars short of the Fatimates for 1920 were spent upon Public Worke

We approve of the re-organization of Extraordinary we are disposed to attribute a part of that shortage to the Fire Brigade and also the Govern inadequacy of numbers in the Public ment policy in buying a new fire-float, Works staff. We would also earnestly costing $190,000 press upon Your Excellency's 'notice the absolute necessity for the prompt

est dealing with applications and plaus

FIRE BRIGADE

ДІЯРОВАТ, ОТ ВЕРСКЕ А

UWERPING, BAAD

which are sent in to the Public Works Whilst commending the appointment in regard to now buildings or alter of an Tospector in charge of refuse ations to buildings, seeing that delay disposal, we suggest the employment of in such matters not only retards de refuse carts with tight-fitting lids, and velopment and progress but entails the that the work of removing the refuse and tying up of capital.

the sweeping of dust from the roads and

Speaking on behalf of the Unofficial Members, on the same subject, in November, 1921, I said as follows (Ree Honkard 1823-150) fafter suggesting that it might be possible to carry such tram even higher up Mount Cameron than the Wanchai Gap) in t

"It may also be pointed out. if it be suggested that the time is hardly ripe for such a tramway, that the tram way would take some time to construet And, furthermore, that when the pre- sent Peak tramway was opened in May, 1888, there were then only about ndozen houses in the Peak District: and ball-a-dozen houses in the Magazine| Gap District. Moreover, a Tram is obviously the only feasible means of approach, enabling those of moderate means to reside in the Mount Cameron District and is also indispensable for the transport of provisions and other necessaries."

(Continued on page

1923.

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