1941-10-09 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 207

9th October, 1941.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was held in the Council Chamber, the Colonial Secretary (Hon. Mr. N. L. Smith, C.M.C.) presiding.

ALSO PRESENT: —

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. R. R. TODD, Acting).

HON. MR. A. B. PURVES (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. J. J. PATERSON.

HON. MR. LO MAN-KAM, C.B.E.

HON. MR. A. L. SHIELDS.

HON. MR. W. N. T. TAM.

HON. MR. T. E. PEARCE.

HON. MR. LI TSE-FONG.

HON. MR. E. DAVIDSON.

MR. R. EDWARDS (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT: —

HON. MR. LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO, JNR.

Votes totalling, $973,616 under Estimates 1941-42, contained in Message No. 3 from His Excellency the Governor, were considered.

Item 78. —17, Miscellaneous Services: —Award for Invention of a Reinforced Concrete Pile Head, $6,500.

HON. MR. PATERSON. —What is the actual invention.

THE CHAIRMAN. —It says here concrete pile head.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —It is a specially designed type of pile head.

HON. MR. TAM. —What are the advantages of such a pile head?

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THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —It is more economical.

THE CHAIRMAN. —An invention by a Government servant has to go through a good many channels before it finally gets an award.

HON. MR. PATERSON. —I remember that and I remember the last one. They sent us details of the Board's findings.

HON. MR. SHIELDS. —That was the Garland Buoy.

THE CHAIRMAN. —If members are interested to see it we can have it sent round.

HON. MR. PATERSON. —It doesn't matter.

THE CHAIRMAN. —I will have it circulated.

Item 87. —29, Treasury. —Special Expenditure: 12, Office Equipment, $18,356. Provision made in Estimates (page 123 sub-head 12), $1,250.

HON. MR. SHIELDS. —It seems a very expensive cash register ($15,181).

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. —It is a very complicated piece of apparatus. We have several of these in the Treasury already.

HON. MR. SHIELDS. —One thing the old system did not . . . . THE CHAIRMAN. —It was introduced by Mr. Taylor.

HON. MR. LI. —Is this only one or several registers?

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY. —It is one apparatus. The Treasury have several of the same type already.

Item 92. —30, Public Works Extraordinary. —Port Works: 48, North Point—Reclamation Extention, $206,855.

HON. MR. LI. —How does this affect the existing bathing sheds at North Point?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —It is not quite so far along yet. It is only an extension of about 800 feet of sea wall. It does not affect the bathing sheds.

HON. MR. LI. —Is there any question of the sheds being removed to other places?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —Not yet.

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THE CHAIRMAN. —This is a long term programme which has been facilitated by the spoil from the tunnels.

HON. MR. PATERSON. —What depth of water do you contemplate at the sea wall.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —It is fairly deep.

HON. MR. LI. —I notice the will is getting quite close to some of the bathing sheds there, and I wondered if there was any question of the removal of these sheds.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —There is a beacon which marks the end of the project.

HON. MR. SHIELDS. —Is it designed to take ships alongside the wall or is it intended to have piers jutting from the wall?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS. —Ships can lie lengthwise beside the wall.

HON. MR. PATERSON. —There are objections to the piers because, if there is a strong wind, ships will have to turn pretty close to the fairway to get in.

All the votes were approved.