1932-10-07 — Page 10

10

FULL REPORT

Lai Chi Kok Road,

The question of the widening of the roadway at the new Warders' Quarters Laichikok is under con- j Raideration and it is hoped that an improvement can be effected at an early date,

Sajkung Roal

HONG KONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1932.

OF BUDGET DEBATE

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9.

QUESTION OF CADET POSTS.

Te

utility first-and its first cost may at times be high. But we have keen and efficient overseeing of all detail, and the reduction of upkeep aniply restores the balance in the ultimate coat. I am glad of this opportunity to say a word on be half of our Public Works Depart meat whose work throughout is, I believe, acknowledged to be at least as good us any to be found in the Colony. (Applause),

Aviation,

HONG KONG STOCK MARKET

YESTERDAY'S OFFICIAL

QUOTATIONS

Kalas.

H.K. Hotels (Old), 812.30, Dairy Farms, 828.

Buyers,

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY Works Department in designing our more important schemes is ap

There was not much change to preciated and still more whether any outside firm would stand for

report yesterday, markets being the worry and constant changes to

quietly steady and prices well. The Colonial Secretary, replying which the Public Works Depart

There is one final consideration maintained. Some trading took of the Unofficial criticism of the ment is subject, and to which any

in this connection. The iden may place in Cements and Hotels at views, be that contracting out would full rates:- and Unofficial Budget, said: Sir,- is very Government scheme must be subject! gratifying to note that the views of Official

securs more rapid progress in say The Unalieini Members are so elcse technical and non-technical

one building. Progress however is Kowloon Tsai,

ly in accord (except that therequirements, departmental sugges sects to be a certain tendency to tions have all to be dealt with and rather a matter of the work that can be done in a limited area, but Regarding the disposal of land at

press the Goverment to further combined, only at the end some Kowloon Tani, when this area is expenditure) with the proposals of times to find that the money is still more of the money provided. forbed it is proposed to offer the the Government as set out in the short and that the work must be The Government purse is not un- Estimates; the more so that to begun over again on a new founda-limited, and the first calls are the land in plots to suit the conveni- day's debate shows that the etion. Even where the money dif- many works that are little noticed problem but are essentially necessary, and no more funds in any year could be unce, of both large and small par-tails have been enrefully studied culty is absent, the

And that openings for criticism rau remains; the plans of the Govern

moat Civil Hospital have ru provided to an outside Contractor chasers.

Imrdly have been missed. It

than to the Public Works Depart maina to do little more that to add through the alphahet already to the further explanations asked for, Latter and finality is not yet ment.

in sight. The Public Works De- partment might be glad enough to

The question of Aviation in hand over all this trouble, but I doubt whether an outside Firm Hong Kong has been prominent in ailing of all the interests to be untried subject I suggest that very would welcome it with the dove- the Debate. In such a new and considered. It could be done of close thought is required at the course at a price; but private firms outset to find the fundamental too have to allow in one way or principles that should guide us another for salaries, passages, locally. Aviation is not a local leave and something to take the concern even a Training School place of pensions and it is difficult and a Flying Club can exist only to attack the assertion that the as parts of a wider whole. No Government Departmental method large Aviation enterprise has over of Public Works Department work started-and few if any is the most economical. The fol- without a subaidy of the kind that lowing Summary of a Report by can only be provided by a National Mr. Lowick of the Architectural Government which is too big for Office, Public Works Department, a Colony like Hong Kong to con- is relevant; it is proposed to issue sider and there are many con- the whole report as a Sessionalsiderations other than the subsily Paper in the course.

hey need no reference--which of Executive make "Comparison

it necessary to rest Charges and Cost of Building by Aviation Scheme which is to be (a) Architectural Office and (b) given a hope of success on Nation- Private Architects.

al Assistance. We can be sympathe tie and ready to do our bit, but

The construction of the first section of the Sailung Road was considered in the draft Estimates bute this work, like any others, bad in give way to more pressing needs.

and the Colonial Treasurer, and Director of Public Works and the Harbour Master have now dealt with the points of a more specia which tised nature. There are others of

geioral character to answers are repaired if the picture is to be complete.

B

Typhoon Signal Station.

I will begin with some questions that Spitable sites for a new Typhoon

Dit administrative matters Sigaal Station to be visible from have been asked. In the first place I venture to think that the Senior the northern partion of the penin.

Unofficial inest have misunderstood sula, are being investigated, and in

the proposals dealing with Cadets due course proposals, will be gubi and Senior Clerical and Account mitted. It is hoped that the Kowing Staff. In effect there is no expansion of the Cadet Service, loor Residents Association may

but we have to be ready with train. Assist in this matter.

ad officers against probable retire- ment in the near future. The age Shing Mun Gorge Dam,

of retirement has recently hern altered as Hon. Members are aware Ouvement is fully alive to the

aland may with permission be as low necessity for expedition in matters appertaining to the new an 50; also the training, period-for Shine Mun 2nd Section works, 'and

cadets lengthened by the addition in doing all in ita power to push of a course of one year at Home atters forward.

before coming to the Colony. These two changes obviously necessitate Home extra provision during the transition period, and it remains to be seen in due course how re- cruiting requirements will settle themselves down in the future. Government is satisfied that my excessive demands have been made in the Estimates before you, in view of the retirements that can already be foreseen.

On Septoruler 27 a telegram, WAS despatched to the Secretary of State for the Colmics roquesting an nasurance that the work was being expedited in view of the appratching dry season and asking for the date of the arrival of Messrst, Sir Alexander Hinaie Son & Draint's engineer.

I have just been informed that In reply telogram lins been roerived and that His Excellency will com. municate the contents to Council this afternoon,

Th position with regard to the Ehing Mua Valley Gorge Dam is B follows:-

exit-

any

cannot stand on our own feet that entries to faster Aviation have alone; and it is with this in mind been made in the Estimates. The

Executive Charges. "Executive Charges for work. actually executed by this Office during the period January 1081- Juns 1930 show that they are about

figures may almost be taken as token figures-an earnest of our half of what they would have been if executed by Private Architects sympathy which must be strong to It must also be remembered that find the sums promised in these the work executed during this times. The sims are as much as period, about half of which has

wo can afford, and have compará- been a time of retrenchment, con; tivaly little connection with the sists mainly of comparatively small requirements of any scheme, as The creation of a new section in works where the percentage cost these requirements cannot yet b the Senior Clerical and Accounting by this Office but not by Private estimated with reasonable accuracy. Stall is quite a separate matter Architects is greater than in the The manoy however is ready and and is an experiment designed to case of really large works.

Executive Charges, by the Ar-will be available for any proposi meet an untenablo position with a minimum of expense. You can chitectural Office for the two large The world-wide known firm of not man forty-one posts with a works about to be commenced-the Consulting Engineers Messrs. Sir staff of forty nine if one fifth of New Gaol and the New Government lenve. Civil Hospital-would be little more their number is always Alexandor Runic Sur & Denean

than one third of thoa by Private were engaged by the Secretary of It happens that during the cur Stabe to visit Hong Kong and re- rent year the number of Cadet Architects. The charge of 9 per port on the proposed Shing Mun

officers on leave has been much be cent. applied in the calculation o Extensium. Two of the partners

low the true proportion and it has cost by Private Architects is based of this firm, Mr Dinnic and Mr en posible to mitigate the diffi- upon the scale of charges nuthoriz Gomley visited the Colony and cullies of the clerical position by ed by the Royal Institute of British examined the Scheme and loosl. placing Cadet Officers in the two Architects and includes the pro conditions affecting construction. Clerical posts at the Magistracies,paration of Bills of Quantities and The Crown Agents for the Colopics is only at the Magistracies that other items. advised that the Works were too Cadet Offloers have been employed large, to be undertaken by the pre-

in clerical duties. But next year sent staff the Public Works De- the disproportion of Cadet leaves partment and Merarn. Alexander is in the other direction and we Dinnie S&Dencon have since shall have grent difficulty in man- undertaken to carry out the scheme niog the Cadet posts if we are not on agreed terms. They will be en.

to detain certain Cadet officers in tirely responsible for carrying out the Colony beyond their proper the whole work, both design and, term. construction, for a fixed foo, which tho Government considera TENGOD- able the Colony to pay all costs including staff the engageant of which is nited by agreed con- ditions.

The final agreement with the Consulting Engineers, containing the full conditions, is awaited from Logland.

Government is fully satisfied, after the most careful considera tian, that the arrangements made are, in the best interests of the Colony, both in the matter of the costs of the works and their early completion, and monts have met with the approval of the Secretary of State.

these Arrange.

4

Actual Cost of Building as distinct from Executivo Charges:- the buildings considered cover the majority of those executed for Government by Private Architects in the past and these are compared with similar buildings by the Ar chitectural Offee, they are divided under two heads--Police Stations and Government Quarters and show the following resulta:

Built by Built by Archi- Private tectural Archi- Ofe Lects.

tion which the Government is satis feil will offer a reasonable chance of success; but such a scheme mu inevitably show a close councetion with wider schemes covering Hemis pheres. Our mite would be useful chen and would be forthcoming. As

at n decision in this matter the showing the difficulties of arriving Secretary of State has intimated! that it will be necessary for him, to be satisfied of the soundness of any scheme proposed before he can sanction the expenditure aven the sums entered in the Estimates.

I note in passing that the Hon. Mr. Shenton refers to an offer of 800,000 spread over three years. It am not aware what this refers to. The amount provided in the Eati mates is 8300,000 spread over five years.

of

We are not meanwhile delaying The references to the post of the

in providing accommostation at Kai Tak. A new Commościał Director of Education are not al-

Aviation Hangar is under con together clear, but I take it the

aideration, and the facts and meaning is that the Hon. Member who made the reference would like

figurek you have heard to-day from to see trained Educational expárts

the Hon. Mr. Shenton are being Stations from Home in charge of the De- Police

carefully weighed so that the new. oni {averago cost. partment. The question i

Hangar when it is provided: shall that has been with us for a long:

per foot cube) 41 cents 52 centa

as far as possible be sufficient for time and is full of difficulties. It Government quar.

all noods. But the uncertainties is obviously open to argument that

tors (average

of every phase of the subject of Bost ncquaintance with the Chinese and

foot per

Avistion, make the question an ex- their mentality is at least as essen-

30 cents 48 contestedingly difficult one.. cube) tial a part of the equipment of the

From the foregoing it will be Turning to, the Kowloon Post Director of Education as is the seen that Executive Charges by Office, I fear I have small satisfac purely academic side of his train the Architectural Office are a fraction for Hon. Members if they were ing-and we are fortunate indeed tion only of those by Private Arboping that the plans and pre when we can get both requirements chitects and that the actual coat liminaries were ready for an early satisfied as in the case of Mr. de of building has heen substantially start of the work. It is only Martin. Further, especially in a less.

recently that the scattered. small service it is necessary to Other aspects of the case have requirements of Kowloon consider the effect of demanding also to be considered Convenience crystallised into the idea of a large specialisation in appointments. Government, Stores from Home, building which would house a num- Unless we can be content with the Presentation of Reports, Minor ber of Departments and to some Hon. Mr. Edwin Taylor, said, wider kind of specialisation that Alterations and Additions, Quality extent reliese Koridor residents of the trouble of erusing to Hong Fir, The Hon. Sir Henry, Pollock deals with a knowledge of the of Work, eto

Chinese, a watertight compartment The Public Works Department Kong for Government work. Much has raised the point as to converteilt be called for strengthened to has, at various times, been criticis has to be done before, it is even ing the present Public Works Loa, 1937. This question has allow for absences on sickness or ad from the point of view of cost possible to begin on the design, been receiving careful considera on leave; no transfers between of staff as compared with value of and no mors can now be said than time past, but partments will be possible and the work executed and it can readily that the requirements of the various tion for some

expense of the personnel will be seen that to take away just Departments are being examined.. Government is not yet in a posi

increased. It is a difficult choice, those works where the expenditure One thing only is clear that it tion to make a statement.on the

but the inethod Government has is largo and executive charges would be uneconomic to design a matter.

chosen during all these years of small percentage is to place the Post Office only which might well position where have to be pulled down in the near The Ifon. Mr. W. E. L. Shenton Faises two points in connection appointing a selected cadet to be Department in a

Harbour Dues, with finance. The first is as to the Director of Education cannot be this criticism can most easily be future.

mado. position of the Trade Loan. This called unsuccessful. It is further as fully not out on pages 18 and is practice which finds justification of the annual finanoid report for in the views of the Retrenchment 1931. I would supplement this,

THE COLONIAL TREASURER

Commission.

Contracts for Fablic Works,

zbowever, by stating thas the prin- 400 BAS

were

In any case there are a thousand and one duties proper to the Public The Hon. W. H. Bol has referred Works Department which it is not to the question of Harbour Dues.

handed over Reference to the Colony's Estimates | suggested should be -buildings and works of essential will show that the expenditure on importance but of no spectacular the Harbour is consistently greater value-and the staff must be main that the Revenue, and perhaps the tained to cope with them. The Shipping interests are rather liable occasional transfer of a big under to forget such items as Water taking, would make comparatively Police, the hydrographic survey, little difference to the regular staff dredging charges, Praya Walls and

oing outstanding on 30th was 3066,220,76, Every endeavour is The same speaker suggested the being made to call in money out-cojaprehensive contracting out of standing but the diffimies in the the larger Public Works, In very way of obtaining repayment of in large works requiring the highest ast and ineinal are obvious coialised experience there is no Pover of enle is exercised as thing to by mid-against-this view

and the Gorge Valley Dam is a it is necessary to maintain, and the upkeep of Harbour. Depart favourable onnortunities Doc

The Hon. Member-second point good instance where Government could hardly result in any coonomy ment. Buildings Any shortage has The Government the general revenue of the Colony, ideas with interest on fixod. 16has at least gone a long way to unless in the case of very excep necessarily be unde, good from posits. Of the sum of $1,823.09.wards, accepting it. But in less tional works,

hosh in the 1931-6 bone specialised works the problem is not experience of outside Public Works and the Government is not prepar nsjon, fixed deposit, 31,330,473.40 the same. An analysis of the aug on the few occasions where we have ed to disturb to the further dis wapimine Bovett Kestion shows, that it means al contracted out has always enhanced advantage of the general taxpayer 82309.52, 3 percent, and beration of existing departmental the remitation of our own officers the existing distribution of taxa 400,000, nor cop do mitton-wethods only to the extent of on and I am glad of this opportunity tion ider that this money could have trusting to butside firms the duties to champion their cause, Ap. The question of introducing a besh mom properly invested on of designing and of overseeing. I plause). Their work may not be compounded for has been.

if the work of the Public showy they are forced to consider sistent with safety

(Continued on Page

Hong Kong Bank, 31,000. Union Insurances, 8800. China Underwriters, 82.00. Waterboats, 201. Benquet Explorations, cts. H.A. K. Wharves, $145). Providents. (Old), 84.90 H.K. Hotels (Old), 812.30. Hong Kong Lands, $70. HK Realties, 89.80. Ewe Cottons, Tls. 14.40. Yaumati Ferries (Old), 825, Yaumati Ferries (New), $341. Chius Lights (Old); $is. Hong Kong Electrics, 8781. Malabon Sugars, $27. Cements (Combined), 815.10. Dairy Farma, 8274. Lane, Crawfords, 851. Sincares, 315.40.

Wing On (H.K.), 8236. United Theatres, Tis, 5.35. Constructions (New), 81.45.

Sellers,

Union Insurances, $310. II.K. Howls (Old), 8111. Penk Trams (Old), $15.03. Wallace Harpers, $11.40.

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