1926-03-09 — Page 5

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HONGKONG LÉGISLATIVE

COUNCIL.

A meeting of the Legislativa Council was held in the Council Chamber” yester- day at 4 p.m.

PEINENT.

His Excellency the Governor (Sir Cheri

CLEMENTI, K.Q.M.G.).

His Excellency the General Oßcer Com- manding the Troops (Major General CC: Luan, CM.0.).

The Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr. B. R

HALLITAR, UM. G.; ÜBE).

The Attorney-General (Hon. Mr J. H,.

KEMP, KO, O.BE),

The Colonial Treasurer (Hon. Mr. C. McL

MESSES, O.E.E.). ·

Hon Mr. H. T. CREASY (Director of

Public WorkA).

"Hon. Mr. D. W. TRATMAN (Secretary for

Chinese Affairs).

Hon. Bir HRY POLLOCK, K.O.

Hon. Mr. P. E. HOLYDAX.

Hon. Sir Snow Sox Cкow.

Hon. Mr. A O. LANG.

Han... Mr. H. W. Bind.

Hon. Mr. R. H. KOTWALL ·

Mr. S. B. B. MCELDERRT (Clerk of

Councils).

ADSENT.

Hon. Mr. E. D. C. WOLFK (Captain

Superintendent of Police),

MINUTES.

The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed by the Council and signed by the President.

PAPIES.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY; by command. of H.E. The Governor, laid on the table

the following papers:

1.

Order made under section 14 of the

Rents Ordinance, February, 1926.

Jurors' List for 1026

1922, 00 17th

REFUNDS OF RATES.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of Bill intituled An Ordinance to give the Governor in Council power to order refunds of rates.

In doing so he said: At the last meet. "ing of this Council I made a statement with regard to the reasons for this legisla tion and the form which the legislation was to take, and the manner in which it was proposed to administer the ordinance, With that statement I think that no further explanation of the Bill is re- quired now and, with your permission, Sir, I will simply move the first reading.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded and) the motion was agreed to.

DISABILITIES ON FORMER ENEMY ALIENS.

TO SUPPLEMENT ESTIMATES, 1926. Item

3-H.E. the Governar, per-

sonal emoluments, salary. of Private Secretary.... 4.-H.E the Governor, per-

sonal emoluments, leave Day of Sir R. E. Stubbs 8.-H.E the Governor, other charges, furniture ............... 8.-Kowloon-Canton Rail- way, personal emolu- miscellaneous ments, personnel 7.-Kowloon-Canton Railway. other charges, running. axpenses, maintenance of equipment, maintes- ance of way and struc-

Rail-

"

tare

5.-Kowloon-Canton

way, special expendi ture, alteration to track

Rail -Kowloon Canton

way, special expendi- ture, repairs to stock.... 10.-Medical Department,

other charges. B.-Hos pitals and Asylums; Dedicines, surgical ap- pliances and instri- ments 11-Miscellaneous services, other miscellaneous ser- vices, staff quarters, Hongkong University... 1-Police Force, other

14.

charges, cost of recruit- ment and passages for 30 Indians

13. Police Force, dther

charges.

rations for Indian police Miscellaneous services, grant in aid of other Institutions, School of Oriental Studies, Len.. don Institution (E30)... 15.-Medical Department,

Hospitals and Asylums, Peak Hospital 18.-Police Force, special ex-

penditure. expenses of Convoy System .......... 17-Public Works, extraor

dinary, Hongkong build- ings. Officers quarters, Ventris Road ......... 18-Public Works, extraor

dinary New Territories, communications, roads, a new bridge at Taipo and road diversion to replace bridge washed away in 1995

:

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, TUESDAY, MARCH 9TH,

paid from lapsing salariés A supple mentary vote of $6,250 is therefore requested.

14-Ia previous years provision was 130.00 made for a grant of £30, to this In- stitution, but no provision was made in the 1948 estimates as at the time when 13,714.00 these were framed it was not clear that the Institution was in need of financial 720.00 support from this Government.

Further information, now available, justifies the continuation of the grant, and a supplementary vote for £30 is 4,376.00 therefore recommended.

15.-It has been decided, as from 1st January, 1998 to take over the Peak Hospital as a Government Hospital an- der the direction of the Principal Civil Medical Office, with the assistance of an. 11,198.00 Advisory Committee of three Medical

Practioners.

3,000.00

3,000.00

1,500.00

:

Funda are necessary to pay off the debit balance on the advance account 31st December, 1825 amounting to $10,077.98; to make up the dcfcit of expenditure (estimated at $35,000) over receipts (estimated at 825,000) for the year 1928; and to pay for certain neces- sary repairs to the building, estimated at $8,500

A supplementary vote is accordingly requested for the above sum of $23,578, made up as above:-. -

7,296.00

·To clear advance account......$10,078 Estimated 1928 deficit ..... Rapala to hospital

Total

3,250.00

10,000 8,300

$26,579

16-In 1924 the members of the Finance Committee agreed to the expenditure 3,000.00 necessary to employ extra guards, amounting to 50 on Senior Convoy ships in the Canton Delta for the purposes of piracy prevention During the Strike and afterwards these specially trained $77.00 guards were used to augment and re inforce the Police Force, being kept in readiness for further piracy duties

28,679,00

NEW RESCUE TUG. TRIALS CARRIED OUT,YESTERDAY.

**

The new rescue tug, Kap Sang (other- wise Rescue Star) built by the Taikoo Deck to the order of the Hongkong Government for use more particularly in't

typhoons, ran her trials yesterday. morning before entering the service.

As was mentioned Isst weak, the prin-

Pratas

cipal duties of the tug will be typhoon rescue work; relief trips to station; and pumping, by steam, water for fre fighting

LI

The trials carried out ycserday proved quite satisfactory. Her speeding without forcing was 11,9 knota'

The expert Committee of the Charler of Commerce, which co-operated with the Government, comprised.-

Mr. R. Sutherland, J.B.E. (Chair- man), Mr. R. M. Dyer, Mr. J. Raid, Captain T. Arthur, Captain W. Davison, Mr. Walter Lang, assisted by Lieut- Commander Conway Hake, RN.E. (85- sistant Harbour Master), Mr. W. C. Lambert and Mr. LH. King.

Among those on beard the tug during the trials yesterday were Lieut.-Comic G. F. Hole, R.N. (Harbour Master) and Captain CJ. Thomson (Chief Boarding Officer), the Hon. Mr. E. D. C. Wolfe (Captain Superintendent of Police and of the Fire Brigade), Mr. K. E. Greig, Mr. R. Sutherland, the Chairman, and Mr. A1. F. Key, the Secretary, of the Chamber of Commerce, expert Sub-Committee.

The vessel's navigable qualities were tested by the Harbour Master. The fire fighting appliances were also tested and proved to be highly eficient Installa tioni for wireless telephony "with a radius of one hundred miles and wireless tele- graphy (Marconi k.w.) with a radius of 300 miles operating on wave lengths of between 300 and 800,

The expenditure was paid from Ad- vance Account and it was the intention to take a vote later on. The expenditure 58,850.00 up to the present paid from Advance Account is $37,050 and it is estimated that a further sum amounting to $21,000 will be required during the current year.mittee a supplementary provision ler cer-

113,000.00

9,000.00

A vote for a total sum of $58,680 is therefore requested.

17.-Provision was made in the 1925 estimates for the completion of these quarters during 1923, but after the Strike began it was decided to suspend work.

Retaining walls and concrete founda tions, and brick work to the ground floor level have been completed, and it appears 200,000.00 desirable to proceed with the work with- out further delay and so avoid a claim $480,710.00

MEMORANDUM EXPLAINING THE AROVE ITEMS. ESTIMATES, 1925.

10. Miscellaneous services, other miscellaneous ser vices

Total

Items for which there are no šāvings under other sub-heads of the Head, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first

157 This is the portion payable in reading of a Bilt intituled. An Ordinance- to repeal certain enactments imposing 1025 of the six months leave for Sir disabilities on former enemy aliens. Reginald Stubbs recommended by Un He said: The object of this Bill is to cfficial members of the Legislative Coun-

formerei. remove certain disabilities on

158. This additional furniture was enemy aliens which at present exist in the statute book in consequence of cer- bought and paid for in 1925 to equip tain legislation passed shortly after the Mountain Lodge where His Excellency is termination of the war A Treaty of now in residence.

cover the cost of a Commerce and Navigation has recently 159. This is to been ratified between His Majesty's small safe purchased by transfer in 1925 Government and Germany and it is pro-from unallocated stores. The safe is at posed that this Colony should adhere to Mountain Lodge, where it is used for that Treaty. It binds His Majesty's official purposes. Government to introduce into Parliament

160. This expenditure was incurred by Iegislation removing certain disabilities which exist in the English statute book, the Crown Agents in connection with ap and the object of this Bill is to remove pointments of inspectors in England and similar disabilities in our statute book was not foreseen. in order that the spirit of the Treaty may be carried out. The effect will be that former enemy aliens will have the same status and the same rights as all other aliens in this Colony.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded the motion which was agreed to.

THE ADJOURNMENT.

His EXCELLENCY: If it suits the con- venience of hon. members I suggest that we adjourn till this day week at 4 pim.

The suggestion was agreed to.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

101.-This represents the difference be tween the cost as provided for in the estimates namely $31,700 and the expen- diture incurred by the Crown Agents in fulfilling the order.

ESTIMATES, 1920. 4-Items for which there are no savings under other sub-heads of the lead. 3-This is salary for a cadet officer acting aa Private Secretary from October 4-Please refer to explanation of Item 157. This is the portion payable in 1328

21st to November 11th, 1925.

5.-This is to cover the cost of 10 dozen A mecting of the Finance Committee chairs, it being thought more economical was afterwards beld, the Colonial Secreto purchase outright rather than to hire on each occasion of official entertainment. tary presiding.

6, 7, 8 and 9.This is to maintain the service on the Fanling-Shataukok branch line for which no provision was made in the estimates for 1928 sa it was at the time thought that with the completion of the parallel motor road the service would not be required.

The CHAIRMAN mentioned that this was the first meeting since the new standing order regarding the Finance Committee proceedings came into force, and the Erst mcasage from His Excellency direct to the Finance Committee was now before them. The effect of the new standing order was simply that it avoided the merely formal reference of recommenda tions to the Legislative Council for simply re-reference to the Finance Committee Every item was explained in writing in place of the verbal explanations formerly given, and the new standing order en abled the Finance Committee to be calleil without the necessity of calling the Legislative Council in advance.

-- EUPPLEMENTARY EXPENDITURE.

from the contractor.

:

A vote for 8113,000 is requested for this purpose, being the estimated amount required to complete the contracts.

18.-A sum of $40,000 is provided in the estimates for this purpose. It is found that this sum will not aufice for improved grading of the approach to the Railway, and for the construction of

re-construction. a temporary bridge to be used during

addition £9,000 is necessary and a supplementary vote of this sum is requested.

For these

וי

purposes an

19. The amount voted "under this so head in the estimates (p. 100) is 855,00, This eum is insufficient to meet neces- sary expenditure in connection wh emergency measures and a supplementary vote of $200,000 is requested.

OFFICERS' QUARTERS IN VENTRIS ROAD.

The Hon. Sir HENRY POLLOCK, in refer- ence to item 17, relating to the sum of $113,000 for Hongkong Buildings, Officers' Quarters in Ventris Road; asked for more information.

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ex- plained that the money was required to complete the subordinate officers' block. The work was stopped last year when the building had been carried up to the be decided second floor. It had to whether the contractor was to proceed or not, and ultimately it was decided to ask the Finance Committee to approve this expenditure as against a correspond- ing saving in 1925,

The CHAIRMAN It was not economy really to leave buildings half finished.

Hon. Sir HET POLLOCK enquired, the total cost.

"The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WOAxs said he had not the figures with him, but the amount was something like $150,000. The other work had been done.

Hon. Mr. LANG: How many houses does this provide?

The CHAIRMAN: Six houres. Hon. Mr. LANG: Is it a terrace of houses?

The Crits Yes.

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORxs said the total cost, including site formation was $280.000.

Hon. Mr. Lang remarked that this was about $47,000 each, or, exclusive of site formation, $25,000, for terrace houses. It seemed to be out of pro- portion."

Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK: How many storeys have they?

The DIRECTOR: Two.

The CHAIRMAN: These estimates were submitted to the Finance Committee last year and approved. ⠀

POSTPONED. WORKS.

The CHAIRMAN submitted to the Com-

tain items of Public Works Extraordinary postponed from 1925. He explained that this was not in the form of a message from His Excellency, but was brought before the Committee with a view to getting their preliminary advice. The works in the list involved an expenditure of 81,363,710.

Hon. Mr. LANG asked the reason for the postponement of the works.

The CHAIRMAN said that in most cases it was connected with the retrenchment deefed to be necessary in the middle, of last year.

to

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC Works ex- plained that in 1925 the Secretary of State sanctioned an expenditure of 80,000,000 on public works extraordinary.

told Later the Department was retrench as far as possible, but it was quite impossible at that time to know what extent they could re exactly to

The result of the year's work trench showed that over a million dollars on these items sanctioned by the Secretary of State was payable, but they were not provided for in this year's estimates as when the estimates were framed it "was quite impossible to say to what extent savings would be effected

Hon. Mr. HOLTOAK mentioned that cae of the items was the Victoria Hospital and he inquired whether the original estimate had been exceeded.

The DIRECTOR replied that the origina) esumate had not been exceeded, but the sum now required was for additions to the main block. The estimate, had bad to be increased each year it had come up because additional requirements had

be provided.

Hon. Sir HENRY POLLOCK: What about Has the the Fire Brigade Station? original estimate of cost been exceeded?

The DIRECTOR: The revised estimate is $1,450,000. The original estimate was $1,110,000.

Bon. Sir HRY POLLOCK: What is the reason?

The DIRECTOR: I have not a list of the additions with ine at the moment, bat I can furnish a statement if it is. required. Furniture representa cue item of $70,000.

Hon. Sir Hay Pouoca inquired about an item relating to filter beds.

The DIRECTOR, said the total cost of the indent from home was £9,000, roughly 880,000. These filters, he explained, were going to deal with 3,000,000 gallons which can against the present filters - deal with only hall,,million gallons.

The DIRECTOR, replying to another query by the Hon. Sir HENRY POLLOCK regarding the cost of water pipes, în con nection with the Shing Mun Valley schemey said the cost was £26,000. This would just pay for landing the pipes, and not the laying of them. The length. of Inc, was about, five miles. It was not proposed to bring it right into Kowloon.

Another item discussed was & proposed improvement in Nathan Road near the Fo. Hing Theatre, at a cost of $55,000. His Excellency desired to know whether it was the wish of the Committee that this work should proceed.

Hon. Mr. LNG thought it might wait.. Hon. Mr. HoLYOAK inquired whether it was. a dangerous point.

Items & and D are not recurrent. It is estimated that 28,500 should be recovered in the form of receipts during the year. 10 The amount Voted under this sub- head is 260,000, and in this sum pro vision was made for purchase of surgical instruments at an estimated cost of £300. The Frincipal Civil Medical Officer considers that certain additional instru- menta not included in his previous estimate should be obtained, as being essential to a well equipped hospital and a supplementary vote for the sum of $1,500 is requested to cover the cost of these additional requirements.

11.Members of the Finance Committee STATISTICAL INFORMATION. OF TRADE. agreed in May, 1825, to a loan of $100,000 for the purpose of building quarters for the staff of the Hongkong University and Government Officers Under, present cir- cumstances the Government considers it The CHAIRMAN Enid, that with the per- but were not in the budget of 1928 A 6.857,00 inadvisable to continue this work. The mission of the Finance Committee, he large number of them were urgently

University Authorities had, however, al would withdraw this item and bring it required.

CONNE 789.00 ready employed architects to draw up plans and specifications. The Architects' bills for doing so amount to the sum of 280.00 87,298.00 and a vote for this sum is re-

qucated

His Excellency's message prepented for the consideration of the Finance Com- mittee the items of supplementary ex- penditure and the explanations set out below:-

TO SUPPLEMENT ESTIMATES, 1925. Item. 157.-H.E the Governor, per

sonal emoluments, leave pay of Sir. R. E. Stubbs 188.-H.E the Governor,

other charges, furniture B.E the Governor, special expenditure, purchase of safe........... 160.-Sanitary Department, other charges, adver tisements, Home ap pointinents. 101.Banitary Department,

special expenditure, 5 motor refuse lorries, balance of account

an

The agenda contained a reference to the proposed re-establishment of the Statistical Branch of the Imports and Exports Department.

w

The CHAIRMAN: Not exactly, danger

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said us, but it is a very bad torming. that all the items, in the list, or the majority of them, were passed in 1925,

up for consideration by the Committee Hon. Mr. LANG: This year's estimates at a later date. He intimated & wish to are not worth the paper they are written refer the matter to the General Chamber on

The CHIEMAN You cannot say that. of Commerce WONDE

HOLM HOLYGAK said that two Hon Mr. LANG: But here we are asked months ago the Chamber of Commerce for another million and a quarter.at any gave a very emphatic opinion in favour rate! of the Statistical Branch, being re The Dinzeron mentioned that the items established.

were exceedingly urgent, but on instruc

12, and 13-To replace vacancies in the force caused by the reduction of the num 74.00 bers of the Weihaiwel contingent it is necessary to make arrangementss for the recruitment of further Indiana It is The CHAIRMAN: And you recommended tions the Department marked time on all estimated that the cost of recruitment some economies.

these itens last year. He added that 184.00 and passagca will amount to 1,30, and The CHAIRMAN undertook to bring the the contractors had not been paid since

that the ration vote of $10,000 will re-matter before the meeting of the Finance the beginning of the year. 88,483.00 quire supplementing to the extent of Committee next week.

$3,000. Balaries of men recruited will be (Continued on neat Column.)

The Committee's approval was ultim ately given

1926

HIDDEN

WHAT IS - AS

IS

UNDER

יו

QUALITY.

THE SURFACE

UOD AS ON THE SURFACE: A PIECE OF FURNITURE MAY LOOK OUTWARDLY ATTRACTIVE, IT MAY BE COVERED IN GOOD MATERIALS, THE DESIGN MAY BE SOUND-BUT IF THE OUT-OF-SIGHT "FEATURES ARE NOT UP TO STANDARD, THAT PIECE LACKS QUALITY.

IT 18, CLOSE ATTENTION TO THESE DETAILS THAT ENSURES EACH ITEM OF OUR PRODUCTIONS- BEING UNRIVALLED IN CONSTRUCTION.

WHAT

il

VALUE

AND

ARE

ARE OUT OF SIGHT AS GOOD AS "ON THE SURFACE IN UPHOLSTERY WE USE ONLY THE BEST COPPER WIRE SPRINGS, FINE HAIR STUFFINGS, AND IN WOOD WORK ONLY THE BEST OF TEAK AND HARDWOOD.

THEREFORE OUR FURNITURE AND UPHOLSTERY MEANS TO YOU DE. PENDABLE HONEST GOODS AT WORTH-WHILE PRICES.

LANE, CRAWFORD, LTD.

IF YOU BUY BY COMPARISON... YOU WILL NATURALLY CHOOSE

CONKLIN'S

PENS, PENCIES & UTILITY SETS.

Sole Agents

THE WING ON Co., Ltd.

COLUMBIA NEW-PROCESS RECORDS

BEETHOVEN

QUARTET IN E FLAT

EIGHT PARTS-FOUR RECORDS COMPLÉTE IN ART ALBUM

ANDERSON'S.

W POWELL, LTD.

WM.

Telephone C. 4578.

GENTLEMEN'S

HIGH-CLASS OUTFITTERS.

12, DES VEUX ROAD,

We have just written down at Stock-taking a large stock of

PLAIN COLOURED

CASHMERE SOCKS

BLACK, BROWN, NAVY, GREY, KHAKI, and DRAB.

These we are now offering at

31.25 Per Pair (6 Paurs for 87.00). They are worth $2.00 Per Fair.

INSPECTION INVITED.