1924-07-31 — Page 1

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 39 31ST JULY, 1924.

PRESENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR REGINALD EDWARD STUBBS, K.C.M.G.

COLONEL CLAUDE RUSSELL-BROWN, D.S.O. (The Officer Temporarily Commanding The Troops).

HON. SIR CLAUD SEVERN, K.B.E., C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).

HON. MR. J. H. KEMP, K.C., C.B.E. (Attorney General).

HON. MR. D. W. TRATMAN (Colonial Teasurer).

HON. MR. H. T. CREASY (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. A. E. WOOD (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE (Captain Superintendent of Police).

HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK.

HON. MR. H. W. BIRD.

HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL.

HON. MR. CHAU SIU-KI.

HON. MR. C. M. EDE.

HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, K.C., O.B.E. MR. S. B. B. MCELDERRY (Clerk of Councils).

New Members

Hon. Mr. H. W. BIRD and the Hon. Mr. C. G. ALABASTER, K.C., O.B.E., took the oath and their seats as members of the Council.

Tribute to the Late Mr. A. R. Lowe

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―Before proceeding to business I should mention that since the last meeting of this Council, the Council and the community have suffered another severe loss―among several during the last two years―in the death of the late Hon. Mr. Arthur Rylands Lowe, who has on several occasions placed his services at the disposal of the community and the Council. The late Mr. Lowe was well known to all of you as a man of great public spirit and a

devoted and interesting critic on any matters coming before the Council which fell more especially in his own domain― finance. That we have lost the assistance of Mr. Lowe is a subject of great regret to me and I feel that, owing to his death the community has lost a valuable member of society and this Council has been deprived of a man who was always ready to place his energies at the disposal of the Government. I would propose that the Clerk of Councils be instructed to convey to Mrs. Lowe and to Mr. Lowe's family an expression of our sympathy in the loss that they have sustained.

HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK―The unofficial members of the Council wish, Sir, to entirely associate ourselves with the remarks which have been made by Your Excellency. We feel that the community has lost a public-spirited man that we can ill afford to lose.

HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL―Sir, my Chinese colleague and myself, beg respectfully to associate ourselves with the sentiments which have been expressed by Your Excellency and the hon. member representing the General Chamber of Commerce.

Members endorsed the motion by standing in their places.

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting of the Council were confirmed and signed.

Finance

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table Finance Minutes Nos. 47 to 63, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.

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

40 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and moved that it be adopted.

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

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, next laid on the table a Financial Minute relating to the redistribution of unexpended balances together with additional works to be undertaken under Public Works Extraordinary for the year 1924 and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee.

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

Papers

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. The Governor, laid upon the table a number of papers (Nos. 1 to 26) which had been circulated to hon. members, viz.:―

1.― Rule under Section 3 of the Boarding House Ordinance, 1917, on 22nd May.

2.― Resolution under the provisions of Section 10 of Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 22nd May, 1924.

3.― By-laws under Section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903.

4.― By-law under Section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903.

5.― Order under Section 24 of the Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 29th May, 1924.

6.― Order under Section 24 of the Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 29th May, 1924.

7.― Order under Section 24 of the Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 5th June, 1924.

8.― Regulations under Section 3 of the Vehicles and Traffic Regulation Ordinance, 1912, on 26th June, 1924.

9.― Order under Section 24 of the Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 3rd July, 1924.

10.― The Piracy Prevention Ordinance, 1914. 11.― Order under Section 24 of the Rents Ordinance, 1922, on 10th July, 1924.

12.― Order under Section 9 of the Post Office Ordinance, 1900, on 24th July, 1924.

13.― Order under Section 12 of the Rope Company's Tramway Ordinance, 1901, on 24th July, 1924.

14.― Report on the Assessment for the year 1924-1925.

15.― Report on the Finances for the year 1923. 16.― Report on the Botanical and Forestry Department for the year 1923.

17.― Report on the New Territories for the year 1923.

18.― Report of the Superintendent of Police for the year 1923.

19.― Report of the Superintendent of Prisons for the year 1923.

20.― Report of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for the year 1923.

21.― Report on the Postal Department for the year 1923.

22.― Report on the Kowloon-Canton Railway (British Section) for the year 1923.

23.― Report of the Harbour Master for the year 1923.

24.― Financial returns for the year 1923. 25.― Report of the Committee to consider the advisability of revising the Life-saving Appliances Rules in force in Hongkong for foreign going vessels (Sessional Paper No. 5/1924).

26.― Quarterly return of excesses on subheads met by savings under heads of expenditure (Sessional Paper No. 6/1924).

Bonham Road School

HON. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK, in accordance with notice previously given, asked―

1. Will the Government state:―

(a) What progress has been made with the structure of the Sai Ying Pun School?

(b) What is the period covered by the building contract?

(c) Is there a "Penalty Clause" for late completion, and if so, to what extent?

(d) When does the Government anticipate that this School will be opened, and having regard to the pledges given by the Government that this work should be accelerated, how is it that progress, so far, has been slow?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied― (a) The contract for the foundations and retaining wall was completed in March and a contract was let for the superstructure in April, 1924. Progress since that date has been somewhat slow owing to the difficulty of obtaining special facing bricks, which are only obtainable from Canton and Amoy.

(b) Twenty-four months. (c) Yes, $100 a week.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 41

section of the work, was signed in March, 1923.

Owing to a slight settlement of the sea-wall on

(d) It is anticipated that the school will be opened in April, 1926. The work has been accelerated as much as possible, but there has been unavoidable delay owing to the reason already stated.

Harbour Moorings

HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked―

2. Will the Government state:―

(a) How many of the new first class Typhoon Harbour Moorings are now available for service?

(b) When does the Government expect that the whole number will be placed and ready for use in the Harbour?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied―

(a) None of these moorings are available for service yet. The first set was laid on the 3rd July, but it is necessary to allow a month for the concrete block to settle. The second set was laid on the 16th July and the third set on the 24th July.

(b) It is hoped that all the sixteen moorings will be laid and ready for use by June, 1925.

I would add that the chain cables were ordered from England on the 20th October, 1923, and arrived in the Colony on the 11th April last. The concrete blocks take a month to harden before they are placed in the harbour and a month after laying they will be examined by a diver to ensure that they are sufficiently embedded to stand the strain of typhoon weather.

Queen's Pier

HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked―

3. When does the Government expect to open "Statue Pier" and Landing Stage to public service, and what is the reason for the prolonged delay in the completion of this very necessary work?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied― The contract for the entrance portion, the last

which it was to be erected the commencement of this portion was postponed until December last, pending tests and further work on the foundations.

Difficulties are being experienced with the contractors and it is not anticipated that the work will be completed until late in the year.

I take this opportunity of stating that it is proposed to name the pier "Queen's Pier."

Fire Station Building

HON. MR. HOLYOAK asked―

4. When does the Government anticipate the completion of the new "Fire Brigade" Station, upon which work appears to have come to a standstill for a considerable time past, and what is the reason for this?

5. Will the Government lay upon the table "Monthly Progress Reports" in connection with all the above Public Works?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied―

4. The Fire Station accommodation comprises a portion of the building only. Owing to pressure of work in the Architectural Office and the difficulty of obtaining sufficient staff, it was not possible to complete the drawings and prepare the contract for the superstructure as early as anticipated. A short interval has thus occurred between the erection of the steelwork and the commencement of the superstructure. Tenders for this contract were submitted on Monday last, the contract time being 18 months. The building should thus be completed in February, 1926.

5. It is not considered necessary to lay such progress reports, which will not have the effect of expediting the works, but if honourable members wish, quarterly reports will be furnished.

42 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

Questions Regarding The Water Supply

HON. MR. H. W. BIRD, in accordance with notice previously given, asked―

"In view of the widespread want of confidence in the purity of the water supply of the Colony, will the Government give reassuring information on the following points:―

1. How does the purity of the water compare with that of London (or any large British town) and what is the exact comparison from a bacteriological and clinical point of view?

2. Is the water analysed chemically and examined bacteriologically at regular intervals at the following points?

(1) Nullahs entering reservoirs.

(2) Reservoirs.

(3) Filter beds.

(4) Actual tap supply.

If so could the exact results be stated for the water supplied from Pokfulam Reservoir during the last few months? Is it a fact that the water from Pokfulam Reservoir is used at such a rate that it is not stored for a proper length of time?

3. Is there any question whatever of the filter beds being overworked in order to cope with the amount of water required?

4. If the filter beds are overworked or are not supplying a really high quality water, is it not possible to use some more efficient methods of filtration?

5. If filter beds are working efficiently what is the reason of

(1) the present brown coloured water supplied from taps?

(2) the addition of chloride of lime?

6. Is there any necessity to boil and filter the water supplied from our taps? If so, why?

7. What arrangements are made for the correct addition of chloride of lime, and is it satisfactory when the water tastes of chlorine?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied

1. The standard of purity in force in Hongkong was only adopted after correspondence with eminent specialists in England. Particulars of British towns are not available.

2. (1) The answer is in the negative. (2), (3) and (4) The answer is in the affirmative.

Early in July a report was received from the Bacteriologist that the Pokfulam water was below standard, previous reports having been very satisfactory. Additional chlorination was at once undertaken, and more recent tests show that the water is now above standard.

During the rainy season it is impossible to state what storage period is obtained from any reservoir owing to the new water mixing with the stored water.

3. In the summer time on full supply the filter beds have to be worked at an undesirably high speed. The present restrictions in districts supplied from Pokfulam are due to the necessity for the relatively slower filtration of Pokfulam water.

4. Slow sand filtration as in operation in Hongkong is the general type of filtration in use in London and most large English towns and is considered the most suitable type under certain conditions. Large extensions to the Hongkong filter beds are at present under construction and tenders have been invited for the extension of the existing filter beds at Kowloon and the supply of fast gravity filters for both Hongkong and the mainland.

5. (1) Some of the water being dealt with at present is of an exceptionally muddy character carrying very finely divided kaolin in suspension. To eliminate entirely this fine silt would require very slow filtration or probably precipitation.

(2) As indicated in the answer to question No. 3 the capacity of the present filter beds is insufficient to meet the increasing demands of the Colony, and a speed of filtration which would ordinarily be considered undesirable is rendered necessary. Chlorine is added, as in London, in order to sterilise the water, without so far as can be avoided giving it a disagreeable taste.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 43

6. The boiling of water supplied from the taps though it may be considered desirable is not essential. Unless boiling and filtering are properly supervised they are likely to become a source of danger rather than a protection.

7. Chlorine solution is added to the water in definite quantities.

Water tasting of chlorine is harmless for drinking purposes.

The Floods in Kwangtung

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―The hon. member Mr. Kotewall has my permission to bring forward a financial motion.

HON. MR. KOTEWALL―Sir, I beg respectfully to move the following resolution:

"That this Council approves of the grant of the sum of Fifty thousand Dollars for the relief of the distress caused by the recent floods in the Province of Kwangtung."

In submitting this resolution I need scarcely dwell upon the widespread distress caused by the disastrous floods. Representatives of the Tung Wah Hospital and the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, who were sent up to Canton to make enquiries, have reported that owing to the great difficulties in obtaining supplies of food from the more fortunate parts of the Province, the conditions of the sufferers are worse than those in the disaster of 1914. The Hospital and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce at once took steps to raise a public subscription, and they have made satisfactory arrangements with the Merchants' Volunteers' Association of Canton for the conveyance and proper distribution of food. So far, $21,000 has been received from the Chinese abroad, and about $90,000 raised locally. A sum of $20,000 has been remitted, and 3,500 bags of rice have been sent to the Merchants' Volunteers' Association in Canton, and more food is being sent up. Large as is the amount which the Tung Wah Hospital and other public institutions have been able to raise, it is far short of what is needed, and I venture to express the earnest hope that should we unfortunately find that further assistance is needed from Hongkong, this honourable Council will readily make another monetary grant, as it did so generously in the case of the Swatow typhoon disaster two years ago. I am sure that I am voicing the feeling of honourable members when I say that we deeply sympathise with our

neighbours in the great calamity that has befallen them.

HON. MR. HOLYOAK―I rise to second the motion proposed by my hon. friend.

HON. MR. CHAU SIU-KI―I beg, sir, to support the motion and to endorse the remarks made by my hon. colleague.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―I have no hesitation in accepting this motion, but in accordance with custom it is necessary to ask the approval of the Secretary of State to a grant of money outside the Colony. I shall have no hesitation in recommending the Secretary of State, if this Council approves, that we make this grant of a sum of $50,000 on the un-standing that if this amount is insufficient it will be open to this Council to make a further grant.

The motion was agreed to.

Libels on the Colony Resented

HON. MR. HOLYOAK in accordance with notice previously given moved the following resolution:―

"That the following resolution be forwarded to the Secretary of State:―

"That having regard to the announcement by the Press that an 'Advisory Body' has been appointed by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to advise and enquire into the 'Maisons tolérées' and 'Social Hygiene' in Hongkong amongst other places, the Unofficial Members of this Council welcome any enquiry which has the object of improving the conditions of life in and upholding the good name of the British Empire and Colonial Possessions, but resent the fact that the inclusion of Hongkong in this enquiry should have resulted from malicious, misleading and exaggerated representations to the Government which have been widely circulated in England for some time past."

44 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Hon. Member said―I rise, Sir, to propose the resolution standing in my name. I need scarcely say, Sir, that it is distasteful to me to go into detail on this subject, nor is it necessary to do so. For months past, Sir, a tissue of libels, which I personally can only describe as malicious, and perhaps inspired, have been circulated at Home in connection with this Colony, both as regards the Mui Tsai system and what is called the "Social Evil Conditions," the bulk of which, I do not hesitate to state, are not borne out by the facts as we know them. That there has been growing public indignation here of these libels has been evidenced in the Press and it would certainly have found voice in public meetings if the present opportunity had not occurred. There is evidence, too, of the misinterpretation of facts even by those who were supposed to know them. I would recall to Your Excellency's mind and to the minds of hon. members of this Council that some three years ago we had a visitation from a Commission inquiring into vice in the Eastern ports and a statement was published in one of the most prominent medical journals over the name of Mrs. Neville Rolfe, a member of that Commission, who spent some time inquiring into conditions here, containing assertions which were so definitely considered to be not only a gross misrepresentation of the facts, but libellous in its references to the state of disease in this Colony that a well-known private medical practitioner here took upon himself personally to contradict the statements, with the result that Mrs. Neville Rolfe was moved to retract the statement. These and many other such statements have led to the incorporation of Hongkong into the appointment of an Advisory Body to inquire into the "maisons tolerees" and social hygiene of Hongkong and other places. I submit that this is totally unnecessary, so far as Hongkong is concerned at any rate. In the second place I think I express the unanimous opinion of hon. members when I say we resent interference in what we may fairly call the domestic control of the Colony of Hongkong. The Home Government might with no greater reason have appointed a Committee to advise upon the hospital system of Hongkong, and we, with equal propriety might have asked that you, Sir, should suggest a Commission of Enquiry into the conditions of vice in Plymouth,―in which one Member of the "Advisory Body" is at any rate specially interested― since from time to time cases of disease have been imported into this Colony from that Port. As an old resident of many years standing and as one who has been outside the Government and occasionally criticised it, I can say that the system of registration here is a system not to protect vice, but to protect women and children from vice. Finally, so much has

been said and circulated at Home which has been misrepresentation of the truth, that we would urge that the Home Government, so far as Hongkong is concerned at any rate, should appoint to the Advisory Body some resident of long standing in Hongkong familiar with the facts, life and conditions here, and therefore calculated to give sound advice thereon. I cannot too strongly express the extreme resentment of this Colony that its name should have been fouled, unjustly fouled, by the statements which have all too lightly been made concerning it of late at home.

HON. MR. H. W. BIRD―Sir, I wish to fully endorse the remarks that have fallen from the senior unofficial member. It would seem that no matter how irresponsible an individual may be, he or she has only to say something derogatory to Hongkong, and notice is promptly taken of such statements without any attempt being made to find out whether they are true or not. I strongly support the suggestion of my colleague that the Colony should be represented on this advisory body by someone who has close knowledge of the facts that exist here, so that in the event of statements being made regarding local conditions that are incorrect they could be promptly contradicted. With these remarks I beg to support the resolution.

HON. MR. KOTEWALL ―Sir, I support the resolution, though I should have been glad to see the word "malicious" omitted, for I am inclined to the belief that the action of those whose activities have brought this Colony so unpleasantly and unfairly into the limelight, has been actuated by excessive zeal for their cause rather than by any unworthy motive. I wish, however, to associate myself in this public protest against such action which has undoubtedly tended to create a false impression of conditions in Hongkong.

HON. MR. CHAU SIU-KI―I agree with the remarks made by my hon. friend Mr. Kotewall.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 45

HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER―In rising to support this resolution I would like to draw the attention of the Council to the fact that during the last five years or so the Secretaries and the Under Secretaries of State have been called upon to answer questions relating to Hongkong underlying which there has been an inuendo or slur on the good name of the Colony. These questions, we cannot believe, are asked maliciously by the honourable members who ask them. We are forced therefore to believe that these questioners are mere marionettes dancing vigorously though unconsciously to the wire-pulling of Empire breakers at Home and abroad. It is time that the resentment against these charges should find expression. The resentment is not confined to unofficial members; it is a resentment which pervades the whole community, and is shared by officials as well. We also would like to see that those who advise the Secretary of State on this and other important questions have an intimate and actual knowledge of the place on which they are advising. Otherwise there is a grave danger that they will be talking through their toquas. We would like to see some official or unofficial who has retired from the Colony and knows it well, on this advisory body. We are not afraid of the results of any enquiry that may be made into the social life here, because we believe that Hongkong is a clean city, socially and morally. It is a town of over a million inhabitants, one of the largest ports in the world, a garrison town, a naval station and the abiding place―temporarily or permanently―of people of all sorts and conditions and of every race and tongue; nevertheless we are prepared to say that morally it can stand in favourable comparison with any town of its size in the five continents or the seven seas. I therefore beg to add my support to this resolution.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―This motion being the expression of the views of the Unofficial Members, it would be out of place and out of order for Official Members to express an opinion on any point except as to whether it should be forwarded to the Secretary of State, and the votes of Official Members are confined entirely to that question.

The motion was agreed to.

The Piers Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Piers Ordinance 1899. That ordinance, he said, gives the Governor in Council power to revise the schedule of pier rents contained in the ordinance, but owing to

the wording of the section that gives that power no such revision can take place before 1950 unless it takes place before the end of this year. We do not wish to revise the rents at present, but we may have to do so later, and the object of this Bill is to preserve the right to revise the rents and to keep it alive up to the end of the year 1949. Power is not taken to make more than one revision before the year 1950 because the policy of the original ordinance was that any revision made before 1925 was to remain in force up to the end of the year 1949.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the first reading of the Bill was agreed to.

Supplementary Appropriation

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― Your Excellency, I beg to move the first reading of a Bill intituled an Ordinance to authorise the appropriation of a supplementary sum of $2,038,038 and 3 cents to defray the charges for 1923. Hon. Members will observe that the bulk of the sum required comes under the heads of Miscellaneous Services and Public Works Recurrent. Under Miscellaneous Services unforeseen expenditure included the balance of the Government donation to the University with interest which was $176,000 over the amount voted, $85,000 as compensation in respect of the Yaumati Ferry Service, $200,000 for the War Memorial Nursing Home, $250,000 for the British Empire Exhibition, nearly $200,000 for loss on subsidiary coins, and a donation of $250,000 to the Japanese Earthquake Hongkong Relief Fund. The large sum required under Public Works Recurrent is almost entirely due to the heavy expenditure on Typhoon and Rainstorm damage owing to the typhoon on the 18th August and the phenomenal rainfall at the end of October. I am afraid several large sums remain to be expended this year on account of this typhoon and rainfall. I beg to move the first reading.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.

46 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

The Revised Ordinances of Hongkong

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I beg, Sir, to move the first reading of a Bill intituled, An Ordinance for promoting the revision of the Ordinances of Hongkong. As hon. members are aware, a new edition of the ordinances of the Colony has been in preparation for some time past and is now nearing completion. We hope that the five volumes containing the ordinances will be available to the public in about a month's time. The index is not ready but will be prepared later. It is also proposed at present to issue as a seventh volume what is contained in volume III of the present edition, with additions bringing that volume up to date. The last edition of the ordinances was that prepared by the hon. member who now represents on this Council the Justices of the Peace (the Hon. Mr. Alabaster). That brought them up to 1912 and in the present edition the scheme of work adopted in the 1912 edition has been followed. In the general revision ordinance the editor was given power to make purely formal alterations and he is required to submit any other amendments to this Council in the form of an ordinance. The present Bill contains these amendments. The Bill has been drafted by the Editor, Mr. Dyer Ball, now Mr. Justice Dyer Ball. The ordinance may seem to members very long but it represents ground covered in the last edition by, I think, over a dozen ordinances. I may say the new edition does not, of course, make any change in substance in the law of the Colony, but is confined to omitting spent legislation, correcting mistakes and achieving uniformity in form and expression. I beg to move that the Bill be read a first time.

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

Stowaways Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill intituled, An Ordinance to amend the law relating to stowaways.

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

The Council resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and on Council resuming it was read a third time and passed into law.

The Adjournment

H.E. THE GOVERNOR―Instead of meeting next week, the Council, for the convenience of the Attorney-General, is adjourned till this day fortnight at 2.30.

——

FINANCE COMMITTEE

——

A meeting of the Finance Committee was afterwards held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.

Medical Votes

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $9,700 in aid of the following votes:―

Medical Department, Other Charges:―

Lunatic Asylum:

Fuel and light .................................... $ 800.00 Provisions for patients ..................... 2,500.00 Washing ............................................ 100.00 Victoria Hospital:

Fuel and light .................................... 2,000.00 Provisions for patients ..................... 3,000.00 Washing ............................................ 300.00 Peak Hospital:

Bedding, etc. ..................................... 1,000.00 ————

Total ................................ $9,700.00

————

THE CHAIRMAN―The amounts asked for under the Lunatic Asylum and Victoria Hospital are due to the increased number of patients. As regards the Peak Hospital, bedding, etc., was supplied out of the medical department's store when the hospital was taken over by the Committee appointed by the Government and $1,000 is required to provide the articles to make good the deficiency.

Approved.

Vote for New Kowloon Golf Course

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,000 in aid of the

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 47

vote "Miscellaneous Services," grant in aid of the new golf course at Kowloon.

THE CHAIRMAN ― This has already been approved by the Finance Committee.

New Police Launch

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $27,000 on account of police department, special expenditure, purchase of a new police launch.

THE CHAIRMAN ― This has already been approved by the Finance Committee.

Lithographing Daily Weather Reports

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,343 on account of Royal Observatory, special expenditure, lithographic machine.

THE CHAIRMAN―The machine is now available to do work for other departments. It was thought that the purchase would have been approved last year. The daily weather report issued with the Daily Bulletin is produced by this machine.

Approved.

School Equipment

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $400 on account of the Education Department, special expenditure, equipment of schools.

THE CHAIRMAN―This sum of $400 is required owing to the Crown Agents Bill for $663.39 not having been received until May. The amount provided in the estimates is only $300 and freight insurance may amount to $66. I would like to ask hon. members to agree to this vote being increased to $450 so as to be on the safe side because we do not know the amount for freight and charges.

Approved.

Railway Vote

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $15,000 on account of Kowloon-Canton Railway, special expenditure, reconstructing the roof of the motor repair shed.

THE CHAIRMAN ― This has already been

approved by the Finance Committee.

Approved.

Votes for Volunteer Mounted Infantry

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $4,000 in aid of the following votes:―

Military Expenditure, "B," Hongkong Volunteer Defence Corps, Other Charges:

Grant to mounted Infantry section ...... $2,700.00 Equipment and up-keep of arms ......... 1,300.00 ————

Total ................................ $4,000.00

————

THE CHAIRMAN―Provision was made in the 1924 estimates for 20 members of the Mounted Infantry of the Hongkong Volunteer Corps. The number of members has been increased to 35 at the request of the General Officer Commanding, and it is necessary to make indents for forage of $2,700 and for 15 new sets of saddlery costing $1,300. I may mention that this Company is a very popular one in the Corps.

Approved.

Scavenging Coolie Quarters

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $90,000 on account of Public Works, extraordinary, Hongkong, buildings, erection of quarters for Scavenging coolies, Wanchai.

THE CHAIRMAN ― This has already been approved by the Finance Committee. Quarters for scavenging coolies have already been erected in Belcher Street, in the Western District, and in the Central District. These quarters will complete the scheme for Victoria.

Approved.

Happy Valley Recreation Grounds

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,500 on account of Public Works, extraordinary, Hongkong, miscellaneous, reconditioning of recreation grounds at Happy Valley.

48 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

THE CHAIRMAN ― This has already been approved by the Finance Committee. The recreation grounds were damaged by floods last year and this $2,500 is required for certain parts. The Clubs concerned have paid for special work required by them.

Approved.

Machines for Railway Workshops

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $7,030 on account of Kowloon-Canton Railway, special expenditure, additional machines for workshops.

THE CHAIRMAN explained that the recommendations for these lathes were made in April last year, but the machines were not delivered until too late to be included in the accounts for the year.

Approved.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,620 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, special expenditure, new carpenter's shop, Hunghom.

THE CHAIRMAN―$15,000 was included in the estimates of 1922 for this work. It was revoted in 1923, and again this year. Owing to the rise in prices the work has actually cost $25,611.31. The balance is now asked for.

HON. MR. HOLYOAK inquired what the position was as regards the railway at the present time.

THE CHAIRMAN―We can only run our local services as far as Lowu.

HON. MR. HOLYOAK―As far as finances go, are we economising?

THE CHAIRMAN―We are economising in that we are not consuming so much coal. We are keeping an account of our losses under the railway agreement. Whether we shall be able to recover our loss due to the closing of the Chinese section I cannot say.

HON. MR. HOLYOAK―We are passing large votes for the railway.

THE CHAIRMAN―These extensions of the locomotive workshops during the past few years were

all approved and undertaken before the Chinese section stopped running. We trust, as everyone trusts, that the stoppage of through traffic to Canton is merely temporary, and we feel we have to be fully prepared to undertake full through traffic as soon as the line is opened. Repairs to the line have been made recently and so far as I know, trains can be run over the line. The condition of the stock of the Chinese line does not admit of their running through trains at present and we wish to be in a position to help them with through traffic immediately the line is open again.

The vote was approved.

P.W.D. Vote

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $272,000 in aid of the following votes:―

Public Works, Recurrent:―

Hongkong, buildings, maintenance

of buildings .............................. $ 52,000.00 Hongkong, buildings, 2,

improvements to buildings. ... 12,500.00 Miscellaneous, 18, typhoon and

rainstorm damages ................. 162,500.00 Kowloon, buildings, 27,

improvements to buildings .... 10,000.00 New territories, buildings, 42,

improvements to buildings .... 5,000.00 Public Works, extraordinary:

Miscellaneous, 49, miscellaneous

works ....................................... 30,000.00 —————

Total ...................... $272,000.00

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THE CHAIRMAN―I would ask that this financial minute may stand over as further sums are required.

Consideration was accordingly deferred.

Whitfield Sanitary Depot Pier

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $20,000 on account of Public Works, extraordinary, Whitfield Sanitary Depot Pier.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 49

THE CHAIRMAN―This is a revote of a sum included in the 1923 estimates but not expended.

Approved.

Married Quarters for Weihaiwei Police

The Governor recommended the Council to vote of sum $11,000 on account of Public Works, extraordinary, Kowloon buildings, married quarters for Wei-hai-wei Police at Mongkok Police Station.

THE CHAIRMAN ― This has already been approved by the Finance Committee.

Approved.

Government House Furniture

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $10,000 in aid of the vote, Governor, other charges, furniture.

THE CHAIRMAN―I think hon. members are aware of the fact that a large sum is required to put the furniture in Government House in proper order. During the war, very little was done, and now it is proposed to get rid of a large amount of furniture which is quite worn out.

HON. MR. HOLYOAK―I believe it was advocated by the the hon. members two years ago.

HON. MR. BIRD―Will this vote bring it up to date?

THE CHAIRMAN―I understand that it has been gone into by the Public Works Department and this will do it.

HON. MR. HOLYOAK―I don't think this is the final vote, Sir.

The vote was approved.

Travelling Expenses for Harbour Officials

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,770 in aid of the vote Harbour Master's Department, Incidental expenses.

THE CHAIRMAN explained the vote as being for travelling expenses for senior officers. The matter had been very carefully considered.

Approved.

The Care of Lunatics

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $2,600 in aid of the vote Charitable Services, grants in aid of Charitable Institutions, John G. Kerr Hospital, Canton.

THE CHAIRMAN―This has already been agreed to by the Finance Committee. It is payment for taking in more lunatics than were expected.

Approved.

P.W.D. Unexpended Balances

The Committee considered the Preliminary List embodied in the Financial Minute relating to redistribution of unexpended balances of Public Works Department votes for the year 1924, and agreed to the adoption of the proposal therein.

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