1903-10-01 — Page 1

PRESENT:―

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1ST OCTOBER, 1903.

since asked for an additional two-storied shed to

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, Sir HENRY A. BLAKE, G.C.M.G.

Colonel L. F. BROWN, Commanding the Troops. Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary). Hon. Sir H. S. BERKELEY, (Attorney-General). Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works). Hon. Dr. J. M. ATKINSON (Principal Civil Medical Officer).

Hon. BASIL R. H. TAYLOR (Acting Harbour Master).

Hon. Sir C. P. CHATER, C.M.G.

Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, C.M.G.

Hon. WEI A YUK.

Hon. C. W. DICKSON.

Hon. GERSHOM STEWART.

Hon. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.

Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of Councils). FINANCIAL.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table Financial Minutes (Nos. 50 to 53) and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 9) and moved its adoption.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS submitted the following minutes of the Public Works Committee. Disinfecting Station at Kowloon.

The Chairman (Hon. W. Chatham) laid before the Committee a plan for a disinfecting station providing similar accommodation to the existing one in the City of Victoria, with quarters for an Inspector attached, to be erected at Yaumati, and explained that the scheme was partly provided for in the current year's Estimates. The accommodation originally contemplated, however, was only a shed for the disinfector itself and quarters for an Inspector, but the Sanitary Board had

contain stores and house the coolies employed at the station, besides offices and other accommodation. These additions brought the estimated cost of the scheme up to $27,000.

The Committee unanimously agreed to recommend that tenders be called for the entire work and that, if necessary, a supplementary vote should be taken to meet this year's expenditure.

Convict Prison on Stonecutters' Island.

It was decided, in view of the absence of two members of the Committee, to defer the further consideration of the proposal to establish a Convict Prison on Stonecutters' Island.

The Committee then adjourned.

Bacteriological Institute.

The Chairman explained that in consequence of the inability of the Public Works Department to undertake the work, the preparation of plans and estimates, &c., had been placed in the hands of Messrs. Leigh & Orange, architects. Preliminary plans had at first been prepared by them for a building in accordance with the Bacteriologist's ideas, the cost of which he estimated roughly at $60,000. After communication with Singapore and Shanghai, amended plans on a reduced scale had been prepared. He now laid the plans before the Committee, the cost of the work being estimated by the architects at $40,000. The site was in the upper portion of the Taipingshan resumed area adjoining Caine Lane.

It was unanimously agreed to recommend that the work be carried out in accordance with the amended plans and estimate.

Gunpowder Depot on Green Island.

Plans which had been prepared for the construction of a new Gunpowder Depôt on Green Island, in substitution for the existing Depôt on Stonecutters', were laid before the Committee. The estimated cost of the entire work, including quarters for the staff employed in connection with the Depôt, the preparation of the site, &c., was $107,000. The average revenue derived annually from the Depôt

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during the past five years had amounted to over $21,000.

Extract from the Secretary of State's despatch No. 16

After full discussion, it was unanimously agreed to recommend that the work be undertaken.

The Committee also recommend, in connection with the establishment of the Depôt there, that restrictions be imposed with regard to landing on Green Island. Establishment of a Convict Prison on

Stonecutters' Island.

The proposal to construct a Convict Prison on Stonecutters', on the site to be rendered available by the transfer of the Gunpowder Depôt to Green Island, was then considered.

The papers which were asked for by the Committee on the 20th July had been circulated to members. The Chairman laid the plans before the Committee and explained that, though it was intended only to erect two blocks of cells, capable of accommodating 246 prisoners, in the first instance, the entire site available for the Prison would be enclosed with a high boundary wall, so that future blocks of cells could be added as occasion arose without interfering with the occupation of the Prison. The estimated cost of the work now proposed was $236,000.

Before coming to a decision on this matter the Committee desire that an estimate be prepared and laid before them showing the probable annual working expenses of the proposed Prison together with the actual working expenses of the existing Gaol and whether any saving is anticipated in the latter item in the event of the new Prison being constructed. The Committee also desire to receive a comparative statement of the estimated working expenses if a Convict Prison of equal accommodation were constructed on a site on the Island of Hongkong, say, below Victoria Battery, instead of on Stonecutters'.

The Committee then adjourned.

STERLING SALARIES SCHEME.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the following correspondence in continuance of Sessional Paper No. 45 of 1902:―

Extract from the despatch of His Excellency Sir H A. Blake to the Secretary of the State for the Colonies, No. 512, of the 15th November, 1902.

Sir,―I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 318 of the 30th of last September, and to refer you in reply to paragraph 6 of my despatch of the 11th December, 1901, in which I stated that the Sterling Salaries Scheme, forwarded under cover of that despatch, was designed to include all offices which would in the ordinary course be held by Europeans appointed from home. In other words all officers entitled to draw exchange compensation.―I have etc.,

HENRY A. BLAKE.

of 16th January, 1903, to His Excellency Sir H. A. Blake. It was not intended to make any such distinction in regard to the grant of Sterling Salaries, as is contemplated in your despatch No. 512, between officers of the Hongkong Service who are and those who are not entitled to exchange compensation. According to the principle laid down in the case of the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States, the salaries of all non clerical posts which exceeded $1,200 a year were to be included in the Sterling Scheme; and officers appointed after the beginning of August, 1901, to any such posts came under the Sterling Scheme, regardless of the question whether or not they would have been entitled, under the existing rules, in virtue of domicile or in other respects, to exchange compensation. ―I have, etc.,

ONSLOW.

The Colonial Secretary also laid on the table copies for despatch from the system for the witness on the Crown Agent System and said―Hon. members will remember that the sterling salaries scheme included only those officers who were in receipt of exchange compensation, it has been settled that it also includes non-clerical appointments the salaries of which exceed $1.200 per annum. These appointments are therefore in the Estimates which are about to come under the consideration of the Council.

The Colonial Secretary also laid on the table a copy of a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the Crown Agent System, and said―Some questions were put to me by an hon. member of this Council regarding the Crown Agent System, and part of one of the questions I was unable to answer. I now beg to lay on the table a despatch which gives the information I was unable to give at that time.

QUESTIONS.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK put the following questions to the Colonial Secretary:―

1. What was the nature of the enquiries which were made by the Government for the purpose of ascertaining how many vacant storeys there were in the City of Victoria and in Kowloon in July last?

2. With reference to your answer to the 5th question which I put to you at the last meeting of the Legislative Council, is the contract which you referred to in that answer, a contract for training the nullah in question right down the northern face of the hill from top to bottom? What is the contract price for that work and what is the date which is fixed for completion of it?

3. Are any steps being taken for the improvement of the Detective Branch of the Police Force with a view to the surer detection of serious crimes?

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4. What inducements are held out to Police officers for the study of the Chinese language, and are such inducements smaller than they were formerly? The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied as follows:― 1. Each District Inspector was instructed by the

Acting Medical Officer of Health to prepare a return showing what houses and floors within his district were vacant, and to give as nearly as possible the number of people these houses and floors could accommodate under the provisions of Ordinance No. 1 of 1903. The numbers given in my reply to the Honourable Member's former question on this subject were based on the Returns so furnished by the Inspectors.

2. The contract is for training the nullah from Kennedy Road upwards to its upper termination. The work is being done on a schedule of prices, by measurement, as the nature of the ground rendered it practically impossible to prepare definite plans and quantities beforehand. No date of completion has been fixed in this case, but the work has begun and it is anticipated that it will be completed in 3 months.

3. The extra allowances granted to Chinese detectives have recently been increased from $2 to $5 per mensem. The question of increasing the Detective Staff is under consideration.

4. Money allowances of $5, $10 and $15 a month are made to the European and of $1, $2, $3 and $5 a month to the Indian Police according to the degree of proficiency they attain in knowledge of Chinese. Knowledge of Chinese is also under the Police Regulations taken into account in considering promotions of both European and Indian Police.

Exchange compensation was prior to the grant of double exchange compensation paid on such allowances drawn by Europeans. One of the conditions of the grant of double exchange compensation was that allowances other than purely personal allowances should not carry exchange compensation. Therefore exchange compensation is no longer drawn on these allowances.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK put the following questions to the Director of Public Works:―

1. Where is the site of the large flushing tank which you referred to in your answer to my first question to you at the last meeting of the Legislative Council? What is the contract price for such tank, and what is the date which is fixed for its completion?

2. What materials are being used for mending the roads in―(a) the City of Victoria; and (b) the Kowloon Peninsula?

3. Who recommended the use of such materials, and for how long have such materials been in use? Is it not practicable to procure a more durable mixture for mending those roads? What Officers of the Public Works Department (giving their names and official designations) are responsible for the supervision of the mending of those roads?

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:

―

1. Adjoining Garden Road and in the rear of the Volunteer Headquarters. It is not desirable for obvious reasons, to make public the amounts of such contracts. 21st November, 1903.

2. (a). Granite macadam on the low-level roads and certain portions of the high-level roads. Concrete, composed of lime, cement broken granite and red earth or sand, on the high-level roads generally. (b). Granite macadam on some of the principal roads and decomposed granite on the remainder. The use of the first mentioned material is being extended.

(3). I am unable to state who recommended the use of these materials. They have probably been used since the foundation of the Colony. A more durable material than the granite macadam, which is assumed to be the material more particularly referred to, was tried by the late Director of Public Works, Mr. Ormsby, namely gneiss or bluestone. In consequence of the complaints which arose regarding the unevenness of the roads so laid and the resulting noisiness of the traffic over them, the use of this material has been discontinued and much of it has been removed. I am not aware that any satisfactory paving for roads has yet been discovered, which would be suitable for local conditions and reasonably economical. Carefully selected granite macadam is in my opinion the best material available locally. The names and designations of officers engaged upon maintenance of roads are as follows:― Mr. H. P. Tooker, Executive Engineer; Mr. E. Dougherty, Overseer; Mr. A. H. Nimmo, Foreman; Messrs. Portaris, Lee Sing, Li Yeun Sing and U. Pat, Assistant Foremen. There is at present a vacancy for an overseer of roads, which is being filled by the appointment of a qualified man obtained from England.

NEW MEMBER.

Hon. Basil R. H. Taylor, Acting Harbour Master, took the oath as a provisional member of the Council. BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY.

The ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to define the boundaries of the city of Victoria.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

MERCHANT SHIPPING ORDINANCE

EXEMPTIONS.

The ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to exempt certain ships from the requirements of Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance No. 36 of 1899.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The Objects and Reasons attached to the Bill were as follows:―To relieve British shipowners

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trading between Hongkong and places on the rivers of the adjacent mainland from certain disadvantages under which they suffer in competition with others trading on such rivers by reason of the necessity at present imposed upon them of complying with the provisions of the 4th section of the Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance, 1899, in respect of the number of certificated officers to be carried. This Ordinance is designed to place British owners in this respect upon a footing of greater equality in competing with others for the trade of the rivers than at present exists.

ENTICING AWAY MARRIED WOMEN.

The ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to further amend the Magistrates Ordinance 1890.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The Objects and Reasons attached to the Bill were as follows:―To check the growth of a habit of enticing away married women from their husbands, reported as becoming prevalent in the New Territories. As the civil remedy is in such cases, owing to the circumstanees surrounding the persons affected, of no practical value, it is proposed to make it an offence punishable on summary conviction to receive or harbour a woman married according to the law or custom of China who, without reasonable excuse, leaves the protection of her husband. The Bill declares cruelty or failure properly to maintain a wife to be reasonable excuse for her leaving her husband.

THE ESTIMATES FOR 1904.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Five million two hundred and thirty-eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-two dollars to the Public Service of the year 1904.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY then moved that the Bill be referred to the Finance Committee.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

The Council adjourned till Monday next at noon.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council, the Colonial Secretary (Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G.) presiding, and the consideration of the Estimates, item by item, was entered upon.

ECCLESIASTICAL GRANTS.

The proposed vote under the heading "Ecclesiastical" was $2,400, made up as follows:― Grant for R.C. chaplain for gaol and hospital, $600; grants for Protestant chaplains for gaol and hospital $1,400; grant for burials, etc., $400.

Hon. Mr. STEWART said he believed this work was always increasing. The number of sick people in hospital

and prisoners in gaol got larger and larger each year, and there were more people to be attended to. If the various denominations did not do this work, Government would have to provide their own chaplains, which would cost them more than they now paid; and he thought there was a general opinion among the unofficial members that this vote might in justice be increased.

Hon. Sir PAUL CHATER said he was of the same opinion. It was the view of the unofficial members that the vote should be doubled. They would ask the Chairman to bring the matter before the Governor as a recommendation from them.

The CHAIRMAN said that the vote was increased by $200 as from 1st January 1903 on the application of the Church Body.

Hon. Sir PAUL CHATER remarked that they were aware that it was increased in 1902 for 1903. There was no proposal in the Estimates to increase it further next year. The vote now stood at $2,400. They asked that it should be doubled―$4,800. They hoped the Chairman would bring it before His Excellency.

The CHAIRMAN said he certainly would do so, but he thought hon. members in support of this recommendation should furnish some figures showing the services rendered. If there were increased services rendered to the large number of patients in hospital and prisoners in gaol, Hon. Members ought to furnish the facts. If they established a case he had no doubt His Excellency would bring it under the notice of the Secretary of State for the Colonies; an increase could not be made without his sanction.

Hon. Sir PAUL CHATER―We would like you to mention it.

The CHAIRMAN―Certainly.

The vote was passed.

PLAGUE EXPENSES.

Hon. Mr. STEWART, in making some remarks upon the Sanitary Department vote of $487,522 said they all admitted the necessity of precautions being taken against plague, but they could not help feeling regret at the enormous figures brought before them. There was a big staff provided for and he saw there were two items also of $80,000 for scavenging and $20,000 for coolies. He would like to ask whether, when the plague was not with us, there was any saving effected or how these plague coolies were kept employed, because he supposed that, as with every other sort of body that was not constantly exercised, the staff was apt to get a little bit rusty. This was the only opportunity the taxpayers had of looking at this account, and it was only fair that they should be quite clear in their minds that for the fairly liberal pay they gave to those men, good work was being done. It was a very sad fact to notice

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that the total Medical and Sanitary charges came to something like $800,000 or about 20 per cent. of our available income, and they would be relieved if they got an assurance from the Chairman of the Sanitary Board that this money was being well spent.

Hon. Dr. ATKINSON replied that the increase of the staff was largely due to the recommendation of the sanitary experts, which have been approved by the Government; and the most important of these recommendations was that a permanent plague staff should be appointed quite distinct from the ordinary staff of sanitary inspectors; and that the staff should be increased correspondingly to the increasing number of plague cases they had to deal with. This was approved of, and an organised trained staff to deal with these annually recurring epidemics of plague had been established. It would be evident to all hon. members that it was an improvement to have a trained staff at their disposal rather than to depend on men they might be able to pick up haphazard as the cases of plague increased in number. In this scheme it was positively laid down that there should be a certain number of officers employed, and that the number should be added to in a certain ratio to the number of cases. When there were not more than 20 cases a week the staff was at a certain strength; if the cases in creased to not more than 50 the staff was increased correspondingly; and if there were not more than 80 a still further increase was made. As the epidemic declined so the number of those employed decreased in a corresponding manner; or, as the cases diminished in number so did the staff. The estimate for next year was based on the number of cases there were this year. With reference to the $80,900 for scavenging the City and Hill district, referred to by the hon. member, that sum was paid to the contractor for removing refuse from the houses in Victoria and the outlying villages and for removing the street refuse also. He was paid so much a month and engaged the coolies himself. The other vote of $20,000 for coolie hire was required for the coolies that had to be taken on in addition to the ordinary staff to deal with plague cases as they occurred. They removed rubbish from infected houses and took clothing to the disinfecting station and were employed for any other purpose that might be required, such as conveying water for cleansing purposes to the houses when water was scarce. As the epidemic decreased, these coolies were of course discharged. At present they had none such employed. He thought that went to show that a due check was being kept on the expense. Certainly it did seem high, but he might state that the expenditure for the first six months of this year on plague had been $110,000 less than the expenditure for corresponding period last year, notwithstanding that they had 1,000 more cases of plague to deal with this year.

Hon. Mr. STEWART―I am very glad to have heard this

statement.

The CHAIRMAN thought the figures given by the Chairman of the Sanitary Board showed them what could be done by a little organisation. There was no doubt that since the Plague expenditure had been voted under the appropriate heads in the Estimates instead of being charged to an open vote a very great saving had been effected. Every endeavour would be made to see that the public got value for their money. The increasing expenditure in the Department had caused the Government a good deal of anxiety. Some time ago he called for a report showing exactly how the plague staff was employed at the present time, and when he was furnished with it he would, if members wished, lay it on the table.

Hon. Sir PAUL CHATER―That will be satisfactory, sir. The vote was approved.

THE RENTING OF "BEACONSFIELD."

Under the heading "Miscellaneous Services" there appeared the item, Rent for Government Offices ("Beaconsfield"), $7,800.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked on what terms "Beaconsfield" had been taken?

The CHAIRMAN―Three years.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked if it was expected that the Sanitary Department would be able to move into the new building then?

The CHAIRMAN answered in the affirmative. They had taken "Beaconsfield" for three years with the option of renewal for another year, and they hoped before the expiration of that period to be in the new building above the Post Office.

The vote was passed.

GUNPOWDER DEPOT ON GREEN ISLAND.

For the provision of a gunpowder depot on Green Island a vote of $15,000 appeared in the Estimates. Hon. Mr. POLLOCK said he understood that the depot was going to be removed from Stonecutters' to Green Island to make way for the Convict Prison.

The CHAIRMAN―That is the intention.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK―Has it been decided?

The CHAIRMAN―Yes.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK remarked that $15,000 seemed a small amount to expend out of the total estimated cost of $107,000. How many years was it supposed to take to effect the transfer from Stonecutters' to Green Island?

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS said it was estimated that that amount would be sufficient for what was required to be done next year. Until the preliminaries had been got through in the way of getting the contracts fixed, progress would be slow and the work would consist of excavation and reclamation operations, so that possibly that amount would be sufficient.

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The CHAIRMAN further stated that it was the intention of the Government to put the prison there. As the hon. member would see from the report of the Public Works Committee that had been laid on the table, the matter was still under the consideration of the Public Works Committee.

Vote passed.

THE NEW LAW COURTS.

$60,000 was the sum proposed to be voted in respect of the new Law Courts.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked when the Courts were likely to be finished?

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied that the present contract was a three-years' one and did not include the internal finishings. He should say that the buildings would take four years to build. The principal factor in causing the building operations to occupy such a long time was the very large amount of stone work, The building was faced with stone externally from top to bottom.

The vote was approved.

WANCHAI MARKET EXTENSION.

There appeared in the Estimates a vote of $2,000 for the Wanchai Market extension work, out of a total of $7,000 estimated cost.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked why it had taken so long to expend this money. The estimated cost was $7,000 and the estimated expenditure for this year was $3,000, and for 1904 $2,000. Apparently they were going to take three years to carry out this little extension costing only $7,000.

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS said that was not quite so. A contract for the work had been let for a sum which was much less than the estimate of $7,000. The work would be finished about Christmas this year, but though it was finished the whole amount due to the contractor could not be paid till next year, because he had to maintain the place for a certain period after it had been finished, and a balance must be kept in hand until the period of maintenance expired.

Vote passed.

WESTERN MARKET.

On the proposed vote of $20,000 in respect of the Western Market,

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked when the market was likely to be completed?

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS said he thought it would take about two years or eighteen months. There had already been expended some $40,000 on the foundations for the market.

Vote passed.

THE NEW POST OFFICE.

A vote of $40,000 for the new Post Office was proposed in the Estimates.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked when the Post Office was likely to be completed?

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS replied that tenders had been called for for the foundations, and the

foundations would occupy twelve months. After that the remainder of the work would occupy from two and a half to three years.

Vote passed.

THE PRISON ON STONECUTTERS'.

In respect of the proposed new Convict Prison on Stonecutters, a vote of $20,000 was proposed. In reply to Hon. Mr. POLLOCK,

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS stated that the estimated cost of the work was $236,000 and the accommodation was for 246 prisoners.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI said he thought the prison scheme was under consideration by the Public Works Committee. Suppose the Committee were against the scheme would this money be spent.

The CHAIRMAN stated that they must build another prison somewhere. If it was not built on Stonecutters' the money would have to be spent in building it somewhere else.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI suggested that if the Committee were against the scheme the money would not be spent in building at Stonecutters, for he understood it was a recognised thing that no public work was undertaken without the approval of the Committee.

The COLONIAL TREASURER―No.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK said it seemed a pity that the votes should have to come on before the Committee had dealt with the matter. Supposing Government decided not to build the prison on Stonecutters' then the gunpower depot would not be removed, he presumed,

The COLONIAL TREASURER―Then you save money. Hon. Mr. POLLOCK repeated that it was a pity that the Committee could not report before these matters were brought before the Finance Committee.

The CHAIRMAN remarked that the gunpowder depot had to be reconstructed in any case. Objections had been raised to it already on account of its insecurity against shell fire. The gunpowder depot really did not depend upon the prison on Stonecutters'. These matters were referred to the Public Works Committee some time ago, and they had to secure a good deal of information before they could report, hence the delay.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI explained that the reason he raised the question was that they might be committing themselves, by voting that money, to the prison on Stonecutters'.

The CHAIRMAN―Certainly not; the money is wanted for a new Prison which is a necessity, and the site is named to identify. He could not commit the Government by saying that if the Public Works Committee reported against the Stonecutters' site Government would not build on the site, but he could say that any recommendation of the Public Works Committee on the matter would carry great weight with the Government.

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The vote was agreed to.

The CHAIRMAN―There is a Board of Arbitration. It is

SCHOOL AT YAUMATI.

There appeared in the Estimates an item, School at Yaumati; estimated cost, $21,500; estimated expenditure next year, $15,000.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked what school this was? The CHAIRMAN stated that when Mr. Ho Tung presented the Kowloon School to Government and agreed to make it a school for European children only instead of a mixed school as he originally intended, the Government promised to provide a school for Chinese at Yaumati. This was the school.

The vote was passed.

RECONSTRUCTION OF GULLIES.

$20,000 was proposed to be voted for reconstruction of gullies.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked if that would complete the reconstruction of gullies?

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS said he thought the work would be completed well within the estimates. Possibly that sum might be found sufficient to complete the work.

Vote agreed to.

NEW TERRITORY SURVEY.

Referring to a proposed vote of $6,000 in respect of the New Territory survey.

Hon. Col. BROWN asked what was the scale of the maps.

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS replied that the scale of the small map was one inch to the mile. Another map was being prepared with a scale of two inches. For the cadastral maps, 16 inches, 32 inches and in some cases 64 inches to the mile were used.

The vote was agreed to.

PRAYA EAST RECLAMATION.

In respect of the Praya East Reclamation a vote of $10,000 was proposed.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked why the work was not being proceeded with?

The CHAIRMAN stated that it was owing to the great deal of trouble they had had in fixing the boundaries of Military and Naval property; and that until such was done the scheme could not be laid before the Marine lotholders.

Vote approved.

COMPENSATION.

Under the heading "Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1 of 1903," it was proposed to vote $60,000 for compensation,

Hon. Mr. STEWART asked on what this was paid for? The CHAIRMAN said it was paid in cases, for instance, where they took away part of a property to form a back lane, or where a man lost a storey on re-erection owing to reduction in height of his building. This was a low estimate. As time went on and more houses came down they would have to pay a great deal more.

Hon. Mr. STEWART―How is the compensation arrived at?

all in the Ordinance.

The vote was passed.

Under the same heading there was an item of $350,000 for insanitary property resumptions. Hon. Mr. STEWART wanted to know if this was the same as the previous vote.

The CHAIRMAN intimated that it was a different thing altogether. This money was for improvement schemes which were being carried out by Government. So far they had been carrying out some recommendations of Professor Simpson.

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS added that in the event of private negotiations falling through with the owner, the Crown Land Resumption Ordinance provided for a reference to arbitrators, so that where negotiations failed recourse could still be had to arbitration.

Hon. Mr. STEWART asked how the amount to be paid as compensation was arrived at. If it was calculated on the rent, the owner might make a very good thing out of overcrowded property.

The CHAIRMAN replied that there were special provisions made for the valuation of insanitary property; if property was insanitary certain deductions were made. The vote was agreed to.

THE NEW RIFLE RANGES.

There was in the Estimates an item proposing to devote $14,000 for the construction of butts at the new rifle range at Kowloon, $5,000 for the diversion of roads, and $20,000 for the resumption of private property.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK desired some information on this item.

The CHAIRMAN replied that the vote referred to the construction of new rifle ranges behind Kowloon City to replace the rifle ranges on what was going to be the King's Park. They had to provide rifles ranges in substitution for those that are now situated on the site of the King's Park. As soon as the new butts were constructed the Park would be thrown open to the public. The diversion of the road was in connection with the same scheme.

Vote carried.

KOWLOON WATERWORKS.

For the Kowloon Waterworks Gravitation Scheme it was proposed to devote $250,000.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked when the scheme was likely to be completed?

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS thought it would be completed in about a couple of years from now. A great deal of work in connection with the scheme was already in hand.

Vote agreed to.

THE TYTAMTUK SCHEME.

$100,000 was proposed to be voted in respect of the Tytamtuk Scheme.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked when this scheme was likely to be completed?

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The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS was unable to give any definite date. He hoped substantial progress would be made with much of the work next year, but it was impossible at this stage to give positively any date as to when it would probably be completed.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked how far the scheme had got at present?

The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS said the site for the principal dam had not yet been determined. The site for a minor dam had been decided upon and work would be undertaken at a very early date; but the site of the main dam had not yet been decided upon on account of the unfavourable results of the operations already carried out.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK―The results of the borings? The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS―Yes.

The vote was agreed to.

THE GAGE STREET MURDER.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,500 in aid of the vote Police, Other Charges, for the following items:―

(1) Oil, Wick and Gas for Bar racks........ $ 1,000 (2) Photography......................................... 500 (3) Secret Service...................................... 1,000

Total............................. $ 2,500

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked if the item appearing as "Secret Service" was connected with the Detective Department?

The CHAIRMAN said no; it referred to a certain case which was under investigation this year and which resulted in a capital sentence for the murder of a certain Chinese Reformer in Gage Street some time ago.

The recommendation was approved.

GAOL EXPENSES.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,900 in aid of the vote Gaol, Other Charges, for the following items:―

(1) Provisions for Prisoners................... $ 1,800 (2) Lighting the Gaol and Warders'

Quarters............................................. 600 (3) Fuel and Soap................................... 800 (4) Materials for Remunerative

Industry.............................................. 700

Total, .... $ 3,900

The CHAIRMAN explained that these items were due to the increased number of prisoners and also to the opening of a subsidiary prison owing to the increased numbers.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI―Is it occupied?

The CHAIRMAN―Yes; it has been for some time. Vote agreed to.

WEATHER SIGNALS AND TYPHOONS.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,150 in aid of the vote Public Works

Extraordinary, to meet cost of the following:― Mast for weather flag signals for the information of shipmasters........................ $1,900 For fixing the mast and supplying locker and ball................................................................ 520

Total................................................... $2,510 The CHAIRMAN stated that this mast was for a system of weather signals by flags which he mentioned at a recent meeting of the Committee.

Colonel BROWN―Where is the mast to be placed? The CHAIRMAN―Close to the signal station, on Blackhead's Hill.

Hon. Mr. POLLOCK expressed the opinion that the present red drum and cone system worked very badly and was most unsatisfactory. All throughout the previous day and Tuesday there was a red south cone hoisted with the result that most of the junks and native craft went away to the refuge at Causeway Bay. It would be a very good thing if the red signal was abolished. It was quite a sufficient warning if the signal was hoisted when a typhoon was within 300 miles of the Colony.

The CHAIRMAN stated that the Council was voting this money because the Chamber of Commerce said the signals were not sufficient; they wanted a far more elaborate system. The red signal was not for the information of harbour boats, but of the masters of vessels about to leave port. In many cases the junk people disregarded the signals altogether. Probably on the day referred to they had thought the weather looked dirty. The red signal did not indicate a typhoon near at hand but more than 300 miles off.

The COLONIAL TREASURER held that the Government could not be blamed for over-caution on the part of the junk-owners.

The CHAIRMAN―No; the complaint generally is that the observatory does not give sufficient information. The vote was agreed to.

REGISTRAR-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,794.17 in aid of the vote Registrar-General's Department, Other Charges, to meet expenses in connection with the copying of Land Registers in Namtau, as follows:―

1. Writer's wages,.............................. $1,315.50 2. Steam Launch bill,........................ 64.00 3. Shroff's voucher for Incidentals, 10.37 4. Chan Tsan's ,, ,, 31.95 5. Mr. Lau Tsz Peng's salary, ........... 309.35 6. Mr. Clementi's expenses,............. 63.00

Total......... $1,794.17

The vote was passed.

This was all the business.