Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 500

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Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Does he say that he is required to have a plan in Kowloon City?

A.—I dont know about Kowloon City.

Q.-Then what District does he allude to, where he has to have a plan?

A.--Outside the City. That place enclosed by the city wall. They dont include the suburbs of it.

Q.-Because it says in section 267, "the provisions of sections 204, 222, and 225 as far as they relate to authorised Architects shall not in the Rural Districts and villages apply in any case in which the Building Authority shall so decide". Now, I want to know whether that is the Rural District he is alluding to?

A. Yes, I think it would be called the country.

The Chairman.-With regard to your Petition, and your views on the subject, we will see that the matter is again brought to the notice of His Excellency. We will refer this point in our Report to the Governor. We are very glad to hear what you have said. We want to see that the law is properly carried out, and at the same tine that it is not unduly hard upon the Chinese. And you can assure your friends the gentry of Kowloon City that

that is so.

39.—HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, recalled:-

The Chairman.-I will go further, and would you not say they have materially benefitted through increased revenue. Is that not so,-it must be so ?

A.—I suppose if all those developments had not occurred on these lines, they would have occurred on other lines. The city would have spread further afield, and rates would have been derived from other property

Mr. Shelton Hooper.-Then, whose fault is it that these developments have taken place on these lines?

A. I can't answer that. The Government certainly was remiss in not taking steps earlier to introduce a great many of those powers they have to-day.

Q.--And if they had introduced those powers, would the Government have got as much premium from their land, surrounded by all those restrictions, as they did then ?

A. I think it would have a depreciating effect.