264
}
( 132 )
1697
9
1700
1
2
3
4
5
6
on 6th November last, and I answerel on the 12th and 13th November. I have got no reply yet. Then another application for land was male on the 22nd November; to that I have got no answer. Another application was made on the 13th December ; to that I have got no answer. Another application was made on December 18th, and
I have got no answer to any of them.
to that I have got no answer.
Q-There are four applications, and you have not received any reply ?
A-No, I have had no reply at all to these.
Q-Of course you have had numerous applications of a similar nature during the time you have been in private practice ?
A-Yes.
Q-Have you ever experienced such long delays before ?
A-No.
Q-Never?
A-Never.
Q-And so far as your experience goes, this is exceptional ?
A-Quite exceptional.
Q-In regard to the laying of drains, you have also told us that you have experienced delays in that matter also. Can you give us an instance ?
A-There is one instance in which there were 21 houses-European houses at the Race Course going to Leighton Hill Road, the ones that are completed near Jardine's East Point entrance-these houses were occupied for four months, and had no connection with the public drains, and the reason given was that there was no vote. There was no money, and, therefore, they did not make the drain connection.
work.
Q-Who gave you that reply ?
A-Some one in the Public Works Department.
Q-Did you know him?
A-No, I cannot say who it was, because I was not personally looking after the
Q-Then your information is second-hand?
A-Yes, second-hand. Anyway, the fact I know is that these houses were occupied in that way for four months. They were eighteen months under construction, and occupied for four months without the drains being on, and the reason given was that there was no vote to cover the necessary expenditure. The same delay occurred in connection with houses at Hunghom. There, there was no connection inale with the public drains for a long time, neither was the lane at the back, which is public property, made up for from three to four weeks after the houses were occupied. Another case I will give you. We wrote on November 18th for levels and kerb-stones for about six blocks of houses in Yaumati and I have not got an answer yet.
Q-Is this your first experience of such delays?.
A-No, it is not our first experience of these delays, but it is getting more acute.
7
Q--With regard to these two special cases of laying of drains?
A-No, these are not the only cases. I quote, these only as examples.
Q-Have the cases been frequent?
A-Latterly, yes.
Page 360Page 361
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.