207872-1934-Minutes-No-6 — Page 3

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JUNE 15, 1934.

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3. The Superintendent, Botanical and Forestry Department and the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon are at all times prepared to consider requests for advice on such matters, and it would appear to be unnecessary at the present time to seek advice from elsewhere.

5. The Hon. Sir WILLIAM EDWARD LEONARD SHENTON, Kt., pursuant to notice, asked

the following questions :-

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(1) Will Government inform this Honourable Council :-

In respect of, the new Government Civil Hospital, the Kowloon Hospital, the New Central British School, Kowloon Tsai Garden City Develop- ment, the New Stanley Gaol, the Dragon Back Water Catchment Scheme and the Harbour Dredging Scheme.

(a) What progress has been made up to date?

(b) Whether such progress is in accordance with Government's Scheme of progress, whether in advance of time or behind time?

(c) Whether the staff of the Public Works Department is

sufficient to cope with the work ?

(d) Whether the surplus balances are sufficient to meet demands of the public works extraordinary programme as it at present progresses. Is there a substantial surplus which could properly be expended in speeding up the present progress?

(2) Will Government inform this Honourable Council :-

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In respect of, the combined Post Office and Government Office Building at Kowloon, the Magistracy at Kowloon, the New Mental Hospital, the Goverment Employees' housing schemes and Anti-Malarial work in the Colony.

(a) What is the present position?

(b) Whether the staff of the Public Works Department is

sufficient to cope with the work?

(3) As regards the New Government Civil Hospital would it not be desirable

to take early steps to deal with the possible problem of Malaria?

(4) Whether some of the public works extraordinary cannot usefully, and to

the advantage of the Colony, be given to private firms in the Colony?

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:

Replies to questions 1 (a), (b) and (c), and 2 (a) and (b) have, owing to their length, been given in writing and each member has been furnished with a copy of the replies.*

1 (d). The demands of the Public Works Extraordinary programme as it progresses can be met from the general revenues and sur- plus balances of the Colony. All the works mentioned in Questions 1 and 2 are being carried out as expeditiously as possible and provision of additional funds would not materially affect progress. Supplementary votes will be applied for as occasion arises. It is the intention of Government to introduce a Supplementary Budget at an early date.