619806-1931-Minutes-No-12 — Page 5

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, OCTOBER 16, 1931.

3. (a) Supplementary warnings day and night are displayed at the following

outstations :—

Aberdeen,

Cheung Chau,

Gap Rock,

Ping Shan,

Stanley,

Field Officer's Quarters, Lyemun,

Saikung,

Sha Tau Kok, Tsun Wan, Tai 0,

Tai Po,

Waglan.

(b) A proposal that typhoon signals should be displayed by local river

steamers and other craft is under consideration.

7. The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. SHENTON, pursuant to notice, asked the following

questions:--

1. In the event of typhoon signals being hoisted indicating the approach of a typhoon to this Colony and the native boat population desiring to get to shelter, can arrangements be made for the various Government launches (including police and harbour office launches) to assist in tow- ing the boat population to shelter.

2. Is Government aware of the exorbitant towing charges demanded by

launches in the harbour during the approach of the last typhoon.

The Harbour Master replied as follows:

(1) Government craft, other than the Kau Sing, are not normally available for towing as they are engaged on their own work so long as weather conditions enable them to remain safely out of shelter. On the hoisting of typhoon signals-other than No. 1a Police launches go into shelter as soon as possible so as to be ready for duty immediately the typhoon is over.

They assist in cases of actual distress but not otherwise. (2) Government is aware of the allegation that exorbitant charges were demanded for towing on the occasion of the last typhoon but no detailed information has been received. It should be remembered in this connection that many cargo boats and trading junks refused the offer of a tow in the carly stages of the typhoon. Government has no sympathy with exorbitant demands for towage but it was only to be expected that the charges would rise as the risk to the towing craft increased. It is hoped that boats and junks will, in future, take shelter more promptly on the hoisting of a typhoon signal.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

8. The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee

(No. 9), dated the 3rd September, 1931, and moved its adoption. The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

MOTIONS.

9. The Colonial Secretary moved the following:-

"That this Council approves the further modification, with effect on and from the 1st day of July, 1931, of its Resolution of the 19th June, 1930, on the Salaries Commission Report (set out on page 58 of the Hong Kong Hansard for 1930) as modified by its Resolution of the 29th January, 1931, (set out on page 3 of the Hong Kong Hansard for 1931) as follows:-

(a) by the addition, after the words 'Hong Kong Treasury rate' at the end of the proviso, of the words 'where the Government Servant concerned has not a wife or child (under the years) in a gold currency country'.

age

of 21

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