1938-11-11 — Page 12

HONGKONG DAILY PRESS,

NEW ROAD

ROAD LIGHTING

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1938.-PAGE S

BY END OF 1939

and the surroundings are better the British Empire, this work is difference of opinion as to the et than the city; while borderline undertaken by game-wardens. I delency of the present method of cases between the two types, can can see no reason why such an street washing, which has to be be observed and attended to, atomcer should not be appointed, done with a the dispensary.

For far too long, the preser- vation of wild game life had been neglected, with the result that this Colony is being steadily deprived of this aspect of the natural attraction.

recrea- Moreover, hunting as a tion now-a-days, is hardly an at- traction for the resident or tourist

here, whether solely for the pur- The medical officer in charge of pose, or to act concurrently with the dispensary, if possible" should other duties, if present funds do also be in charge of the anti- not permit of a full time officer. tuberculosis propaganda. Such It must be remembered that the propaganda work could be 'very game licence fee had been raised usefully supplemented by co- from $10 to $25. operating with existing humanita- rian organisations, such as the St. John Ambulance Association. etc.. especially in delivering public lectures, distribution of literature. giving health exhibitions and the conducting of anti-tuberculosis campaigns.

There can be little doubt when measures, that such adopted, would be immensely. beneficial to the people and should have some effect in.. mitigating the spread of this disease, which is hitherto, prac- tically uncontrolled. -

CLOSED ROADS

water.

a

minimum of fresh

Unfortunately at the present time, owing to the past ab- normal raia year, water is at premium and cannot be spared for additional watering. The matter will be reconsider- ed when the water situation more nearly approaches nor- mal.

"

quired on the types of build- ings and the profits to bo earned from them-conditions which it would obviously be impossible for Government to enforce.

There is always a very consider- able time lag in housing construc- tion, as during slump periods building ceases while in boom periods everyone wants to build. I think this is borne out by the fact that in Hongkong in 1934 and 1835 property was almost unsale-

It is agreed that a new Infec-able, whereas to-day every house tious Diseases Hospital, new Kow-is fully occupied. loon Mortuary and new Volunteer Headquarters are desirable and urgent necessities, and should be

DELAYS, INEVITABLE Regarding the alleged delay in having land put up for auction and

sportsmen, despite the admirable provided as soon as funds permit. In the passing of plans, I would

Travel Association in advertising

The Hon. Mr. TN. Chau has

open up and prepare new areas for

the public a very simple process is

efforts made by the Hongkons suggested that Government should / Point out that what appears to the Colony as a resort of many building purposes, and I would not necessarily so, and that before

attractions.

sale many departments have to be In point, I refer to the wholesale point out that in the past this has any land can be gazetted as for

Wongnelchong

trapping of wild birds and animals. been done at Shamshulpo, Kow-consulted and delays are "inevit-

loon

Tsai,

FREE SUPPLIES

and

The Hon. Mr. M.K. Lo has quot-

able.

As "regards the passing of plans

at the moment experiencing a

over 3 year

way.

both in and out of season, by local While I am on the subject of villagers and trappers from the North Point, and that other areas public health, I wish to draw Your other side of the borders. It is by are gradually being formed from it must be remembered that we are no means uncommon to find fea-spoil from general development. Excellency's attention to the pecu-

Regarding the New Territories lar treatment, given to medical thered game hung up for drying,

ago comparatively practitioners, with reference to in the outlying villages, similar to there is already very considerable mild building boom, whereas little the preserving of dry-ducks. It development at Tsun Wan, which little new construction was under certain motor traffic regulations.

The fact is, that a number of this promiscuous and systematic is rapidly becoming an industrial smaller roads including Kennedy destruction is permitted, to con- centre. Road, Hollywood Road, etc., which tinue, through the use of what are open to ambulance and pri- must be thousands of trays, I fear vate car traffic. are closed to the this fair Colony may ultimately be

of water in the distribution system medical profession, unless a fee of reverted to the days of the "Bared figures to show an excessive loss $10 is paid for a special permit: ren Rock", in respect of wild game and even when such a permit is life and wild bird sanctuary.

very exceptional obtained, it is that a "doctor is allowed to use more than six roads, despite the fact that a considerable number of roads above this Agure, are open to ambulance and private car traffic under special permit

In the circumstance, when- ever a call is made for a doctor to visit a patient residing In any of these roads, a busy doc- for may either refuse to·ai- tend, or if he accepts, he must- be prepared to walk, regardless of weather, to the patient's house from the nearest open road, where he has parked his car.

Because of the inconvenience and the loss of time involved, the practitioner is often obliged to charge an extra fee, which is obv ously not to the patients interest. AN EXCEPTIONAL PRIVILEGE

I belleve that of approximately 100 doctors who own

not

INFLUX OF INDUSTRIES

of the Colony, but in making his

It is not economically pos- sible to arrange staff according to these rapid fluctuations, and some delay during busy periods must be expected, par- ticularly in the summer when

staff is depleted owing to leave. I am, however; always ready to investigate, any specific complaints.

calculation he has not made suf- ficient allowance for the free sup- There is a matter connected piles to Government Buildings, with industries, which I wish to Street Fountains, Street Washing

In answer to the Hon. Mr. Leo call Your Excellency's attention to, Fire Fighting, Charitable Institu- that is, the recent influx of indus- tions, etc. From careful calcula- D'Almada e Castro, the new light- tries to this Colony due to the tions made over the whole of 1937 ing In Salisbury and Nathan Roads present conflict.

Many have viewed this with” mixed feelings, perhaps be- cause of the housing shortage. Personally, I regard it as 'a welcome asset to the future of the Colony. It is only natural that a number will leave at the end of hostilities, yet, I ant convinced that a good number will remain, if given the right treatment.

it. is computed that in Hongkong will be completed early in 1939, and Kowloon respectively 73.3 per when the possibility of further im- cent and 73.7 per cent of the total proving the general lighting in consumption has been accounted Kowloon can be investigated.

The difficulties of dealing at for a by no means unsatisfactory result considering the age of a present with the drainage pro- large, portion of the Hongkong blems in Ho Mun Tin area have distribution system and the high already been dealt with in the Urban Council, since when the pressures carried.

situation has not changed

THE HON. DR. P.S. SELWYN-CLARK

The Hon. Dr. P. 8. Selwyn-Clark, Director, of. Medical and Sanitary --- Services said:-

WASTE DETECTION Waste detection work has to my I wish. therefore, to appeal to own personal knowledge been car- the Government in general, and ried out to a greater or leaser the, Urban Council in particular, degree since 1920, depending on to give the new comers every the staff avaliable. It is now con- sympathetic consideration under sidered; however, that, owing to the obviously special circumstances. the growth of consumption and

Your Excellency-May I have Before I conclude, I desire to ex-extension, of the distribution sys your permission to acknowledge press a word of appreciation for tems, waste detection should be gratefully the kindly but unmerit- more than half of the number Your Excellency's able and bene- put on a more systematic basis by ed references contained in the actually have taken out the spe- ficent administration of the Colony having staff permanently allotted speech of my honourable frienda cial traffic permit, because of the in these unprecedented turbulent to it. added expense; as the fee of $10 is times. I am conâdent that this not inclusive of the Stamp Duty sentiment. is shared Fee of $50; which is paid by every citizen, of this Colony. doctor for the privilege to practise a fee which I understand, is ex- ceptional in the British Empire.

cars,

In view of the small number of cars, owned by the medical inan as compared with other vehicles, I feel that the ques- tion of traffic obstruction should not arise, especially when such smaller roads art closed to ordinary motor traf- fic, except of course, the cars under special permit.

and to record my sincere apprecia-

So far only a few applications tion of the unstinted and valuable by every for licences under the new Ordin-help which I have received from ance have been received from Mr. M. K. Lo and Mr T. N., Chau I may add that the Chinese Plumbers, but it is expected that a and the remaining Chinese mem- Community has every reason to be fairly large number of licences willbers of Executive and Legislative grateful to Your Excellency, par-eventually be issued. It is reason-Councils?

ticularly for the proper provision able to expect that ordinary busi- I regret my inability to give a for the refugees, and for the hu-ness competition will be sumclent categorical answer to the question manitarian work in initiating the to prevent undue profiteering. put by Mr. Lo on the subject of Hongkong and South China Brunch

of the British Fund for the Relief Registration of plumbers is com of Distress in China. I fervently mon practice in most large cities. hope that this Fund will receive the generous and wide support it deserves.

for the

hospital beds, free. reason that it is not the policy of the Medical Department to refuse LAND CHARGES

admission to. Government hospitals Regarding the remarks on the to persons who are, in other high charges for land in Hong respects, suitable but who are not kong. I appreciate the desire and in a position to pay the fees laid necessity for cheap housing for the down

In actual fact, a little over a coinmunity, and for keeping total building costs down to a minimum, third of the in-patients in Govern- The Hon. Mr. R.M. Henderson but would point out that at pre-ment hospitals in 1937 were treat-

sent land is auctioned, for what it cd free. Bald:-

It would be improper for me Sir-There are a few questions will fetch in the open market, and

THE HON. MR.-R.M.

HENDERSONĘ

You will observe sir, that in granting the medical profession the free use of such smaller roada, the loss in revenue is insignificant. It appears to me that the principle should be, whether a road" is safe arid feasible to use or not, and if it is, then there is no reason why raised in the speeches of the that at the present time it is Honourable Unofficial Members usually knocked down for a higher Government should not facilitate the doctors, in discharging their which more particularly concern price than the reserve placed on duty-of alleviating suffering and the Public Works Department, and it by Government.

with your permission I will briefly the saving of life

deal with them...

PRESERVATION OF WILD GAME

The Honourable the Senior Un- With reference to the New Ter- official Member has suggested in- ritories, I wish to speak, of the creasing street washing in the necessity of protecting the wild Colony in the interests of Public 情 considerable game life there. In most parts of Health. There

It would appear, therefore," that the public place a higher value on the land than Gov-" ernment. Should artificially low prices be placed on land by Government, then restric tive covenants would be re-

to anticipate the findings of the Hospitals Committee ap pointed by Your Excellency. At the same time, I think that my colleagues on the Commit- tee would agree that the evidence collated to date affords overwhelming support.. to the feeling in Mr. Lo's mind that the need exists for aug- menting the

accommodation