207632-1934-Minutes-No-4 — Page 3

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 18, 1934.

Part III.-Public Health:—

Report of the Botanical and Forestry Department.

Part VII.- Undertakings of Government:-

Report of the General Post Office.

Report on the Kowloon-Canton Railway (British Section).

Sessional Papers, 1934:---

379

No. 3.-Report on the Organization, Operation, Cost, and Equipment of the Trade Schools, etc., of Malaya with reference to the Institu- tion of a Trade School in Hong Kong.

QUESTIONS.

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

question :-

In view of the widespread interest which exists in the Colony to see the New Territories made more productive in raising foodstuffs, will the Govern- ment undertake to consider this matter with the object of-

1-allocating a sum of money in the Draft Estimates for 1935 for the purpose of assisting the attainment of this desirable object;

2-apportioning any such vote that may be budgetted for the specific purpose of establishing and maintaining an Experi- mental Farm for agriculture and live-stock;

3-associating such proposed Experimental Farm in some way with

the University of Hong Kong;

4- adopting any other measures which in the opinion of the Govern- ment might be conducive to increasing the agricultural pro- duction of the New Territories and particularly in the direction of pig-breeding and poultry farming.

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:-

The Botanical and Forestry Department maintains an Experimental Garden at Sheung Shui where advice and assistance are available for agricul- turists.

Intensive vegetable and fruit cultivation in the New Territories has spread steadily and successfully during recent years and further extension by Government of is Experimental Station is not considered necessary at present.

Government has considered from time to time during past years the question of establishing an Experimental Farm for live-stock but regretfully came to the conclusion that the results to be obtained therefrom would not justify the very large expenditure which would have to be incurred. It proposes however to explote the matter further.

The Government is at all times prepared to give consideration to practical

suggestions for the improvement of New Territories production."

MOTIONS.

6. Opium Amendment Bill.-The Attorney General addressed the Council and moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the law relating to Opium.”

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to. Bill read a first time.