207155-1934-Minutes-No-1-of-1934 — Page 3

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MARCH 29, 1934.

Sessional Papers, 1934:--

No. 1.-Report of the Committee regarding the marketing of New Terri-

tories produce in Hong Kong and Kowloon.

Administration Reports, 1933-

Part II.---Law and Order :-

Report of the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Official Trustee, Official Administrator and Registrar of Com- panies.

QUESTIONS.

5. The Hon. Mr. José PEDRO BRAGA, pursuant to notice, asked the following

questions:-

Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary state the reasons for the recent felling of the trees in Nathan Road at Kowloon, and on whose instruc- tions were those useful and ornamental trees destroyed?

2. Is it not true that shortly before the trees were felled quite a number of those with damaged or decaying trunks were treated at some expendi- ture of public money in a manner to arrest destruction through natural causes? And if true, what is the explanation for the sudden change of policy leading to the destruction of perfectly sound trees by means of human agency?

3. Is it the intention of Government to cut down any more, and if so, how many, of the trees that once formed such a picturesque avenue in Nathan Road?

4. Was any reference made to the Kowloon Residents' Association, or to the Hong Kong Automobile Association before the decision was taken and put into effect for the removal of the trees in question?

5. Will the Government consider the advisability of restoring, partially if not totally, the avenue that excited so much admiration, by commencing a programme of sapling planting in places were planting will not con- stitute a danger to wheeled traffic?

6. In future, in any matter affecting the amenities of the Peninsula, will the Government be good enough to ascertain, in the first place, the views of responsible bodies or organisations in Kowloon before carrying out decisions concerning which Kowloon residents may advantageously be consulted?

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:

1. Instructions were issued by Government that certain trees should be felled, on the recommendations of the Inspector General of Police after consultation with the Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Depart- ment, on the ground that they form an obstruction to traffic.

2. The treatment of damaged roadside trees is a routine matter usually attended to in February before the spring rains begin. When the trees in Nathan Road were treated the recommendations of the Inspector General of Police had not been received.

3. It is the intention of Government as at present advised to remove certain other trees, in particular those in the neighbourhood of bus stops and those at the corners of side streets.

4.

The answer is in the negative.

5. Only such trees as are considered to constitute a definite obstruction to traffic are removed. It is not therefore considered advisable to replace them.

6. The Government are at all times prepared to give full consideration to views expressed by representative bodies, but cannot see their way to give the specified undertaking asked for.

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