216075-1935-Minutes-No-1-of-1935 — Page 4

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JANUARY 25, 1935.

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5. If the Honourable Member means immunity from stamp duty on contract notes, there is no anomaly as such attract duty whether the company is locally or registered abroad. Transfer fees on shares of companies registered abroad are naturally not charged on transactions in Hong Kong.

It is assumed that in the Honourable Member's questions the expression

>> "debit note being 'debit note" is used in its local sense, the term

<<

used locally for cash transactions whilst the term

"

看着 contract note IS

used for other than cash transactions. Legally the two terms have the same meaning.

6. The Hon. Dr. ROBERT HORMUS KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D., pursuant to notice,

asked the following questions:---

I. With reference to the disastrous explosion at West Point in May, 1934,

will the Government state:

(a) Whether the gasometers are considered to be suitably placed in their present locations, in view of their proximity to tenement houses;

(b) What steps have been, or will be, taken to ensure the proper maintenance and the regular examination of the gasometers ; and

(c) What other steps has the Government decided to take with a

view to preventing similar disasters in the future.

II. (a) Has the Government under consideration, and, if not, will the Government consider, the question of making Hong Kong a port of call in connection with the reported air service between Canton and the United States of America.

(b) What steps, if any, have been taken with a view to linking Hong Kong with the great air routes of the world; and, if the matter is under consideration, when are such connections expected to be effected.

III.-Arising out of the remarks made by two unofficial members at a meet- ing of this Council on the 27th September, 1934, that the advant- ages of Hong Kong as a winter resort have not been sufficiently advertised, will the Government state :—-

(a) Whether and, if so, what consideration has been given by the

Government to this matter since that meeting was held; and

(b) Whether the Government will appoint a Committee for the purpose of suggesting means of giving greater publicity to such advantages.

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:-

I. (a) Terms have been satisfactorily settled between the Government and the Gas Company for the purchase by the Company of another and more suitable site for the gasometers.

(b) It is understood that no special legislation for the compulsory inspection of gasometers is in force in the United Kingdom; but the advice of the Home Authorities is being sought as to whether in view of local conditions such legislation is desirable here.

(c) No further action has been taken in the meantime pending the

receipt of a reply to this enquiry.

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