618558-1931-Minutes-No-6 — Page 2

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 8, 1931.

PAPERS.

3. The following papers were laid on the table :-

Regulation made by the Governor in Council under section 4 of the Pilots

Ordinance, 1930, on 16th March, 1931.

Regulation made by the Governor in Council under section 5 of the Dangerous

Drugs Ordinance, 1873, on 17th March, 1931.

Regulations made by the Governor in Council under section 3 (1) (b) of the

Tobacco Ordinance, 1916, on 19th March, 1931.

Rules as to the conduct of examinations instituted for persons who wish to procure colonial certificates of competency as engineers in the Mercantile Marine, and as to the qualifications of the applicants, laid down and made by the Governor in Council under section 4 (8) of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1899, on 18th March, 1931.

Regulations made by the Governor in Council under section 3 of the Post

Office Ordinance, 1926, on 25th March, 1931.

Administration Reports, 1930:-

Part I.-General Administration :-

Report of the Director of the Royal Observatory, Hong Kong.

Part II.Law and Order :-

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Report of the Land Officer.

QUESTIONS.

4. The Hon. Mr. J. P. BRAGA, pursuant to notice, asked the following question:-

"Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary state whether any reduction

is contemplated this summer in the facilities usually afforded to residents in Hong Kong and at Kowloon in the matter of public bathing beaches?"

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:-

The use made of the public bathing beaches in Kowloon has decreased so much in the last year or two that no provision was made for this purpose in the Estimates for 1931. The principal reasons for the decrease appear to be the growth of bathing clubs and the provision by caterers of dressing accommodation with facilities for teas and refreshments. As concerns Tai Wan beach, this section of foreshore is now the subject of sale negotiations and is not, therefore, in any case, available. No public matsheds will be erected there or at Laichikok.

On the island it is proposed, for the same reason, to give up the public bathing sheds at Repulse Bay and at North Point, and to erect only smaller accommodation at Kennedy Town, where there is still some demand. The beach at Repulse Bay will continue to be kept clean and precautions, as before, will be taken for the protection of bathers.

5. The Hon. Mr. J. P. BRAGA, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:-

1. Has the attention of Government been drawn to the newspaper report of a serious motor-car accident happening at Kowloon on the night of 23rd March at a point in Waterloo Road close to its junction with Nathan Road, where the road is described as extremely narrow and not parti- cularly well lighted at night"?

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2. With a view to minimising the risk of similar accidents in future, will the Government consider the advisability of improving the public light- ing of roadways within the residential areas in Kowloon ?