PRESENT:―
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 25 17TH JUNE, 1920.
H.E. the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes
Nos. 17 to 50 and moved that they be referred to the
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS, K.C.M.G.
COLONEL J. R. YOUNG (Officer Commanding Troops in China).
HON. MR. A. G. M. FLETCHER, C.B.E. (Colonial Secretary).
HON. MR. J. H. KEMP, K.C., C.B.E. (Attorney General).
HON. MR. D. W. TRATMAN (Colonial Treasurer).
HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, O.B.E. (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).
HON. MR. E. A. IRVING (Director of Education). HON. MR. P. HOBSON HOLYOAK.
HON. MR. HO FOOK.
HON. MR. JOHN JOHNSTONE.
HON. MR. E. V. D. PARR.
HON. MR. A. R. LOWE.
MR. W. J. CARRIE (Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. LAU CHU PAK.
New Members
The following gentlemen took the oath on becoming members of the Council: Colonel J. R. Young, Hon. Mr. D. W. Tratman, Hon. Mr. E. A. Irving, and Hon. Mr. A. R. Lowe.
Finance
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of
Finance Committee.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the Report of a meeting of the Finance Committee held on March 4th, 1920, and moved that the Report be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Papers
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table the following papers: Report on the Finances for the year 1919; Report of the Harbour Master for the year 1919; Report of the Superintendent of Imports and Exports for the year 1919; Report of the Director of the Royal Observatory, Hongkong, for the year 1919; Report of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for the year 1919; Report of the Land Officer for the year 1919; Report of the Captain-Superintendent of Police for the year 1919; Report of the Superintendent of Prisons for the year 1919; Kowloon-Canton Railway (British Section) Annual Report for 1919; Financial Returns for the year 1919; Report of the Committee appointed to investigate certain matters connected with the Administration of Victoria Gaol; Report of Proceedings of the Public Works Committee at a meeting held February 5th, 1920; Report on the improvement of Jinrikisha services in Hongkong during the year 1919; Quarterly Return of Excesses on sub-heads met by savings under heads of expenditure (for the first quarter of 1920); Report of the Committee appointed to consider the question of making provision for the protection of life and property in the harbour during typhoon weather.
Offensive Trades: New Regulations
The following By-law made by the Sanitary Board on March 30th, 1920,
26 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
under Section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, Ordinance No. 1 of 1903, was submitted:―
By-law No. 1 contained in Schedule B of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, and published on page 33 of the Regulations of Hongkong, 1914, under the heading "Offensive Trades" is hereby repealed and the following by-law is substituted therefor:―
1.―"Offensive Trade," for the purpose of these by laws, means and includes the trades of blood boiling, tripe-boiling, soap-boiling, tallow melting, bone-boiling, bone-crushing, bone burning, bone-storing, rag-picking, rag-storing, manure-manufacture, blood-drying, fellmongery, leather-dressing, tanning, glue making, size-making, gut-scraping, hair cleaning, feather-storing, feather-cleaning, pig roasting, except the roasting of pigs in any domestic building or restaurant for consumption in such domestic building or restaurant by the inmates or visitors thereof, and any other noxious or offensive trade, business or manufacture whatsoever.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved that the By-law be approved by the Council.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Advertisements Regulations
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, submitted Regulations made by the Governor in Council under Section 2 of the Advertisements Regulation Ordinance, 1912, Ordinance No. 19 of 1912, on March 4th, 1920, and moved that they be approved by the Council.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, said ―These regulations are practically a re-writing of the former regulations of 1912 which provided for licences for three years only. The drafting of the former regulations was somewhat defective, so the opportunity was taken to re-cast them and to give general powers to the Governor in Council to issue these licences for an indefinte period.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Public Latrine and Urinals at Shamshuipo
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the the following resolution standing in less name:―
Resolution under the provision of Section 170 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, Ordinance No. 1 of 1903, this 17th day of June, 1920: ―
"Whereas application has been duly made by the Sanitary Board to the Governor under section 167 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, for the erection of a Public Latrine and Urinals at the East corner of the junction of Yee Kuk Street and Pei Ho Street, Shamshuipo.
"And whereas such application having been duly approved by the Governor and a notification of the intention to erect a Public Latrine and Urinals at such site having been duly published in three successive numbers of the Gazette, certain owners and occupiers of property in the vicinity have objected to such erection:
"And whereas such objections have been duly considered:
"It is hereby resolved by this Council that the above mentioned site and the erection thereat of a Public Latrine and Urinals be and the same are hereby approved."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, in moving the resolution, said the erection of these latrines had been advertised in the usual manner, and an objection had been received from Messrs. Johnson, Stokes & Masters, solicitors, on behalf of several owners of property in the neighbourhood. They anticipated that these two streets would become an important shopping centre in the near future and that the presence of a latrine there would be detrimental to traffic and to trade, and they suggested what they regarded as a less objectionable site. This matter went before the Sanitary Board in the usual manner, and he might mention the fact that Mr. Severn, while Administering the Government, and he himself went to Shamshuipo, and after carefully examining three sites they came to the conclusion that the site described in the resolution was obviously the best one because it was in the most crowded district. The objection received was referred to the Sanitary Board
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 27
who maintained their original opinion that the site they had decided on was the best. He moved the adoption of the resolution.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Questions by the Hon. Mr. Lowe
THE HON. MR. A. R. LOWE gave notice of the following questions:―
1.―In view of the fact that a strong local Commission appointed by the Officer Administering the Government, reported in or about March, 1919, their findings regarding the emoluments of the public service of the Colony, and having regard to the fact that such emoluments are defrayed out of local revenue and not out of Imperial Funds, will the Government lay on the table the following documents; viz., the Report of the Commissioners; the despatches from the Secretary of State dealing with such Report?
2.―Will the Government, having regard to the desire of the taxpayers that the public servants should be remunerated on a fair and reasonable basis only, and in view of the undoubted dissatisfaction still existing amongst several classes of such servants as a result of the Secretary of State's decision, lay on the table a statement showing in what respect the recommendations of the Commission differ from the directions of the Secretary of State?
3.―Will the Government state on broad lines what financial assistance they are prepared to make to assist applicants desiring to build houses for their own occupation and also how many of such applications have been received to date, specifying how many of such have been accepted or refused or with which they are still in treaty?
4.―How many patients resident in Kowloon have been inmates of the Government and other hospitals in Victoria during 1919 and what steps, if any, have been taken to further a scheme for a general and maternity hospital at Kowloon?
Hospital Questions
THE HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK, in accordance with notice previously given, asked the following questions:―
1. ― In view of the shortage of hospital
accommodation in this Colony will the Government sanction the attendance of any patient's own physician or surgeon if desired, at the Government Civil Hospital and the Barker Road Hospital, and will the Government also arrange for an additional number of private rooms for this purpose both in the 1st and 2nd class wards?
2.―What steps has the Government taken to provide hospital accommodation for "maternity" cases on the Peak?
3.―Is it not a fact that the house called "Lyeemum" next the Victoria Hospital was purchased by the Government for the express purposes of turning it into a maternity annexe of the Victoria Hospital, and if so why has it not been put to such use?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:―
1.―It is regretted that the accommodation in the hospitals referred to is not sufficient to admit of the adoption of this suggestion. The Government has under consideration the provision of a new general hospital in which ample facilities on the lines suggested will be provided.
2, 3.―The Government has appointed a Committee, composed of the Principal Civil Medical Officer, Dr. Aubrey, Dr. Harston, Mr. Hollingsworth, and Mr. Maitland, with the following terms of reference:―"To consider and report upon the question of arranging and enlarging the Victoria Hospital, Barker Road with the house adjacent 'Lyemun,' for the purpose of providing accommodation for maternity cases."
Dangerous Condition of the New Motor Roads
THE HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK asked:―In view of the dangerous condition of some of the new motor roads both in Victoria and the New Territory and the approach of the rainy season which will make them more dangerous, what steps have the Government taken for a daily patrol on and report of all the important roads in the Colony and New Territory?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:―The Government does not agree that the condition of any of the new motor roads can
28 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
properly be described as dangerous. An inspection of all the main roads in the Colony has been carried out daily during the wet season for many years; and the foremen who make these inspections have instructions to report immediately by telephone from the nearest available point any landslip, settlement or other defect.
The Treatment of Rabies Infection
THE HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK asked:―In view of the fact that during the last 10 months and even within the last 10 days several cases of suspected rabies infection have had to leave the Colony for treatment in Shanghai, will the Government immediately take steps to provide the same treatment here?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:―The Government is at present in communication with India, Saigon, and Shanghai in connection with this subject.
German and Austro-Hungarian
Trade Marks
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituded, An Ordinance to amend the Trade Marks Ordinance, 1909.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
The "Objects and Reasons" attached to the Bill state: ―
1.―The Trade Marks Ordinance, 1909, and the Rules made thereunder, require the Registrar of Trade Marks to notify the registered owner of every intended removal of a trade mark on the ground of non-payment of renewal fees and, if the renewal fee is not paid, to advertise the fact of non-payment. This has not been done generally in the case of German and Austro Hungarian trade marks. It would have been futile to send such a notice to the former Hongkong address of the former German or Austro-Hungarian owner, and it is doubtful whether such a notice would have been a compliance with the Ordinance and Rules. Notices sent to registered addresses in Germany, or in what was formerly Austria-Hungary, might or might not have reached their destinations. All German and Austro-Hungarian trade marks registered in Hongkong were vested in the Custodian by Ordinance No. 11 of 1907, s. 18. It would obviously have been useless to send to the Custodian a notice of intended removal of any of these marks. In view of these facts it is thought
desirable to provide expressly that neither omission on the part of the Registrar to send the prescribed notice, nor non-receipt of such notice by the registered owner, nor failure to advertise non-payment of the renewal fee, shall be any bar to the removal of any expired "enemy" trade mark.
2.―Under Article 307 of the Treaty of Versailles, a minimum of one year after the coming into force of the Treaty must be accorded to the nationals of the High Contracting Parties without extension fees or other penalty to enable such persons to accomplish any act, fulfil any formality, pay any fees and generally satisfy any obligation prescribed by the laws or regulations of the respective States relating to the obtaining, preserving, or opposing rights to or in respect of industrial property either acquired before the 1st August, 1914, or which, except for the war, might have been acquired since that date as a result of an application made before the war or during its continuance. Clause 3 of the bill gives the Governor in Council power to make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to this Article of the Treaty should any applications under it be received.
The Law Relating to Societies
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the law relating to Societies.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
The statement of "Objects and Reasons" says:―
1.―The object of this Bill is to repeal the Societies Ordinance, 1911, which has not proved satisfactory in practice, and to substitute a simpler system based on the Triad and Unlawful Societies Ordinance, 1887.
2.―The Societies Ordinance, 1911, has failed to give the increased control expected, it has probably driven several undesirable societies underground, it has in some
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 29
cases given a fictitious respectability to doubtful
societies on the border line, it has supplied a technical defence to any action brought by an unregistered society, however desirable the society may be, and it has perforce cast the net too widely and has included a great many societies that require no governmental regulation whatever.
3. ― A table is appended showing the correspondence between the clauses of the bill and the sections of the two previous Ordinances.
The Statutory Height of Storeys
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
The "Objects and Reasons" are set forth as follows: ―
1.―The chief object of this bill is to reduce the minimum statutory height of storeys in suitable cases in order thereby to lessen the cost of building.
2.―The reduction will apply to detached and semi detached houses and to any other houses to which the Building Authority considers that the reduced minima should apply.
3.―A special definition of the term "storey" has been adopted for section 2 of this Ordinance because the general definition in s. 6 (53) of the principal Ordinance excludes spaces with a less height than nine feet. If that general definition were to apply to this section such spaces would be entirely unregulated unless specifically referred to. In other words, it would be useless to fix minimum heights for storeys if it were possible to construct spaces which would evade the section by being so low that they were not "storeys" within the statutory definition. The only effect of such a section would be to prohibit spaces of heights lying between the statutory "minimum" and nine feet.
4.―Sub-clauses (3), (5) and (8) of clause 2 of the bill embody the present provisions. The new relaxations are contained in sub-clauses (4) and (6).
5.―The new section 116B provides that no space under nine feet high "in the clear" shall be used for human habitation. This applies to all buildings.
Council Adjourns
H.E. THE GOVERNOR adjourned the Council until Thursday next.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the Colonial Secretary presiding:
Motor-Car for District Officer
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $267.10 in aid of the vote Judicial and Legal Departments, C.―District Officer, Northern District, Other Charges, Motor-car for District Officer.
THE CHAIRMAN―The Government maintains a motor car for the District Officer, Taipo, which requires new tyres, repairs, and fixing a battery and lamps. It is a Ford car.
The vote was agreed to.
Clothing for Prisoners
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $8,000 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, C.― Prison, Other Charges, Clothing for Prisoners.
THE CHAIRMAN said that a large number of blankets were required and a thousand were bought. The vote was partly due to the increased number of prisoners.
The vote was agreed to.
Prison Personal Emoluments
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,423 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, C.―Prison, Personal Emoluments
THE CHAIRMAN―I wish to withdraw this minute if the members have no objection. It is in connection with the increase in salaries.
This was agreed to.
30 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
New Indian Warders
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $9,730 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, C.―Prison, Personal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for the salaries of 36 Indian assistant warders and five guards at Lai Chi Kok Prison, an extension of Victoria Gaol.
The vote was agreed to.
Bonus to Dr. Smalley
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $500 in aid the vote Charitable Services, Grants in aid of Charitable Institutions, Kwong Wah Hospital, Bonus to Dr. Smalley.
THE CHAIRMAN―Dr. Smalley carried on the work of Medical Officer and also Medical Officer of Health, Kowloon, for a considerable time and this bonus is for special work in connection with the Kwong Wah Hospital before he went on leave.
The vote was agreed to.
Typewriter for P.W.D.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $150 in aid of the vote Public Works, Establishment, Special Expenditure, Typewriter.
The vote was agreed to.
Extension to Lai-Chi-Kok Prison
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $17,100 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, New Territories, Miscellaneous, (78) Miscellaneous Works.
THE CHAIRMAN―This vote is for the extension and alteration found necessary at Lai-Chi-Kok prison, to accommodate 100 prisoners.
The vote was agreed to.
Repulse Bay to Taitam Tuk Road
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $6,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Communications, Roads: Repulse Bay to Taitam Tuk, 2nd Section, Improving and widening existing road.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is outstanding from 1919. There was a credit balance of $6,773. This is merely a
re-vote.
The vote was agreed to.
Furniture for Police Quarters
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $4,200 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Other Charges, Furniture, Repairs and Renewals.
THE CHAIRMAN―The Government has adopted the policy of furnishing with heavy furniture the officers' quarters in order to prevent wear and tear, and expense, in moving.
The vote was agreed to.
Grant to John G. Kerr Hospital, Canton
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,000 on account of Charitable Services, Grants in aid of Charitable Institutions, The John G. Kerr Hospital, Canton.
THE CHAIRMAN―We used to make a grant regularly to this hospital, as we send Chinese lunatics from the asylum. On representations being made from the hospital, it was thought possible, if members approved to give the grant of $3,000 a year. It is calculated that we send 50 lunatics a year and they cost $5 a month each.
The vote was agreed to.
General Works
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,070 on account of Public Works, Extraordinary, New Territories, Communications, Roads: General Works.
THE CHAIRMAN said that this was a question of the District Officer having a small vote for improving paths and communications, apart from the P.W.D. Formerly they had a regular vote which came under Public Works, but the District Officer's portion was overlooked last year.
The vote was agreed to.
Fire Brigade Clothing
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,000 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Department, B. ― Fire Brigade, Other Charges, Clothing.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 31
THE CHAIRMAN―There has been an increased number of firemen and a European Assistant Station Engineer has been engaged for the additional establishment at Kowloon.
The vote was agreed to.
Miscellaneous War Services
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $80,000 in aid of the vote Miscellaneous Services, Other Miscellaneous Services.
THE CHAIRMAN explained that there were certain war measures which were still ruuning to a more or less limited extent such as censors, pass office, and examination of ships.
The vote was agreed to.
Police and Prison Departments
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $8,500 in aid of the following votes:―
Police and Prison Departments, C.―Prison, Other Charges:―
Materials for Remunerative
Industries .................................. $6,500.00 Materials for Repairs and
Renewals.................................. 2,000.00
Total............................ $8,500.00
THE CHAIRMAN―The estimate for the first item was $4,000. We have made a large purchase of leather for boots and the excess is also due to the general rise in prices. The repairs and renewals were due to furnishing Lai-Chi-Kok prison.
The vote was agreed to.
New Road
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,500 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Communications, (16) Roads: (A) Repulse Bay to Taitam Tuk, 1st Section, New Road.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is a re-vote, the balance in hand last year being $5,515.
The vote was agreed to.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $500 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Traffic Expenses, Other Charges, Hire of Rolling Stock.
THE CHAIRMAN―The sum of $120 was found due to the Chinese section last year, which was not rendered. We had heavy first-class traffic and had to ask for more carriages.
The vote was agreed to.
Motor-Car and Motor Fire Engines
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $3,090 in aid of the following votes:―
Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Special Expenditure:―
Motor Car................................... $2,525.00 Motor Fire Engines.................... 565.00
Total ......................... $3,090.00
THE CHAIRMAN―A motor-car was purchased for the Police Department on the Hongkong side, and as regards motor fire engines this is a bill from Messrs. Macdonald & Co. which had been overlooked.
The vote was agreed to.
The Fanling-Castle Peak Road
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $49,053 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, New Territories, Communications, (68) Roads; (b) Metalling and tarring road from Fanling to Castle Peak.
THE CHAIRMAN ―The vote last year was $50,000 for the section Fanling to Mai Po. Later on there was a supplementary vote for $26,000 for starting the Mai Po to Castle Peak Road. The estimate was for $70,000, and only $27,000 has been spent, leaving $43,000 from last year. In the estimates this year $60,000 has been provided. This is the total for the road which is miles and the cost of which will
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2
be $136,000―a very expensive business.
The vote was agreed to.
32 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Improving Roads
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $29,000 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, New Territories, Communications, (68) Roads: (a) Taipo Road,―Widening and Improving road between Shatin and Taipo.
THE CHAIRMAN―The original vote was for $85,000. $28,500 was voted first and then $49,000. Then a further $10,000 was voted. The excess makes a total of $87,000. It is due to a large diversion found necessary where the road begins to rise from the Shatin level. It was found impracticable to go round, so we are driving the road straight across and over a bridge.
The vote was agreed to.
Police, Personal Emoluments
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,524 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Personal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN ― This represents salaries for a Sergeant and crew of a new motor-boat in Deep Bay.
The vote was agreed to.
Rice Allowance
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $55,000 in aid of the vote Miscellaneous Services, Rice Allowance.
THE CHAIRMAN―I think members are aware that this is an allowance made, which is practically a rise of salary, to the subordinate Chinese staff.
The vote was agreed to.
Incidental Expenses
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,000 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Other Charges, Incidental Expenses.
THE CHAIRMAN―This vote is $2,000 a year for some unforeseen charges―the new Police Training School, and repairs and incidentals in connection with motor-cars and motor-cycles of the Department.
The vote was agreed to.
Additional Chinese Constables
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,824 in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.―Police, Personal Emoluments.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for 25 additional Chinese constables taken on.
The vote was agreed to.
Railway Sleepers
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,000 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Maintenance of Way and Works, Other Charges, Sleepers.
THE CHAIRMAN―It was found on careful examination of the lines that many of the sleepers were rotten under the surface. This could not be seen until they were taken up. An arrangement is being made to get sleepers from Australia.
The vote was agreed to.
Grant for St. Paul's Institution
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,000 on account of Education, A.― Department of Director of Education, Special Expenditure, Grants: Building Grant for French Convent School known as St. Paul's Institution.
THE CHAIRMAN remarked that the institution was situated on the old Cotton Mill site at Causeway Bay. There had been a very large increase in the number of pupils.
The vote was agreed to.
Grant for St. Joseph's College
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $20,000 on account of Education, A.― Department of Director of Education, Special Expenditure, Grants: Building Grant for St. Joseph's College.
THE CHAIRMAN―This college is wellknown by its excellent work. There are 650 boys and it is essential that they should enlarge the building.
The vote was agreed to.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 33
Re-Building Locomotive Workshop Office
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,500 on account of Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Re-building of Locomotive Workshop Office.
THE CHAIRMAN―This office was found to be badly damaged by white ants and it is proposed to re build it with bricks and steel girders.
The vote was agreed to.
Subsistence of Prisoners
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $37,600 in aid of the following votes:―
Police and Prison Departments, C.―Prison, Other Charges:―
Incidental Expenses......................... $1,000.00 Photography..................................... 600.00 Subsistence of Prisoners.................. 36,000.00
Total............................. $37,600.00
THE CHAIRMAN said that the original vote on the first item was for only $350, but extra charges crept in, due to the selection and medical examination of new warders at home and other incidental expenditure at the Lai-Chi-Kok prison. The photography vote was for $400, but it had been increased owing to the cost of material and the increased number of prisoners. The vote for subsistence of prisoners was badly underestimated. There was a large supplementary vote last year, but no account had been taken of this when the estimate for 1920 was framed. The increase was partly due to the old contract expiring and to the increased cost of rice and to the increased number of prisoners to be fed at Lai-Chi-Kok.
The vote was agreed to.
Animals and Fodder
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $750 in aid of the vote Medical Department, D. ―Institutes, Other Charges, Animals and Fodder.
THE CHAIRMAN―The vote is largely for straw for the horses employed in connection with the cerebro-spinal treatment.
The vote was agreed to.
An Adding Machine
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $400 in aid of the vote Treasury, Other Charges, Purchase of Adding Machine.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for a calculating machine.
The vote was agreed to.
Improvements to Fanling Station
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $715 in aid of the vote Kowloon Canton Railway, Special Expenditure, Improvements to Fanling Station.
THE CHAIRMAN―This a for a much needed improvement, the joining of the main road to the station, so as to obtain access direct to the main road.
The vote was agreed to.
Fire Station, Tsimshatsui
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,500 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Kowloon, Buildings, (46) Fire Station, Tsimshatsui.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is for additional quarters for the married European who has come out to take charge of the station.
The vote was agreed to.
Repairs to Motor-Launch
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $800 in aid of the vote Imports and Exports Department, Other Charges, Launch Repairs.
THE CHAIRMAN―It was found that the Revenue Department Launch, No. 1, required very extensive repairs which were unforeseen.
The vote was agreed to.
Harbour-Master's Department
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $160 in aid of the vote Harbour Master's Department, Special Expenditure, Typewriter.
The vote was agreed to.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.