Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 22

C.S.O.

1277 of 1902.

C.S.0.

1152 of 1902.

W. J. GASCOIGNE.

The Officer Administering the Governinent recommends the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and thirty-one thousand and five hundred Dollars ($131,500), in aid of the following votes:

PUBLIC WORKS, ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.

(1.) Maintenance of Water-works, City and Hill District, (2.) Maintenance of Roads and Bridges in City,

(3.) Water-works, Miscellaneous,

(4.) Drainage Works, Miscellaneous,...

(5.) Forming and Kerbing Streets,

Government House, Hongkong, 29th May, 1902.

W. J. GASCOIGNE.

$48,000.00

25,000.00

15,500.00

23,000.00

20,000.00

Total,.........................

$131,500.00

The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote a sum of Sixty-four Dollars ($64), being a grant for a Custodian at the Government Pavilions, for 8 months of the current year, at the rate of $8 per mensem.

Government House, Hongkong, 30th May, 1902.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee alated the 30th April, 1902, (No. 5), and moved its adoption.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

QUESTIONS.In the absence of Mr. WHITEHEAD, Mr. SHARP, pursuant to notice given at the last meeting, asked the following questions:-

1.---PROPERTY RESUMPTION AND COMPENSATION.

Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary endeavour to obtain from the Indian Government a statement or return showing (1) the conditions on which house properties, sanitary and insanitary, and land have recently been resumed in Bombay and elsewhere in India; (2) the basis on which the values of house property and land were arrived at; and (3) the basis on which the compensation paid for resumed properties and land has been arrived at; and in due course communicate the information to the Council if the Honourable Member is not now in a position to furnish the required particulars?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

2. HOUSE ACCOMMODATION-SUBORDINATE OFFICIALS.

Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council whether the Government will take into consideration the desirability and expediency of adequately providing for the decent housing of the subordinate Officials and Employees of the Public Works, Harbour, and Sanitary Departments, and report to the Council?"

The Colonial Secretary replied.

3.-MAP OF ROADS AND STREETS.

In anticipation of Government being asked to expose for sale Crown Land in Hongkong and in British Kowloon or to grant lease of Land in the New Territory, and with a view to safeguarding against a repetition of the state affairs in respect of roads, lanes and buildings as that which now exists in Hongkong and Kowloon, will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council (1) whether a clearly and well defined Map showing Roads and Streets of adequate width has been or will be prepared; (2) whether such Map will in due course be submitted to this Council; (3) when approved whether the same will be recorded officially and shall not be departed from without the sanction of the Council; and (4) whether a copy of such Map will be deposited in the Office of the Sanitary Board for the information and guidance of the Board's Officers?

The Director of Public Works replied.