Sessional_Paper_1938 — Page 301

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(5) Vehicular Ferry Piers.-The present piers and concourse on the Hong Kong side are inadequate for the traffic and it is necessary to provide for expansion, which, owing to royalty arrangement with the company, is directly remunerative to Government. The scheme will also provide permanent pier accommodation for the Harbour Department.

(6) Canton Through Road.--Increasing traffic is thought to be inevitable, which will be remunerative both directly and indirectly. The capital expenditure now proposed aims mainly at strengthening and widening the existing road and will effect large economies in maintenance expenditure in future years. Included in the estimate is the cost of developing a new Government quarry on the mainland.

(7) Government Quarters.--A hump sum is provided to cover the erection of more quarters for both senior and subordinate officers, plans for which are now under examination. The return by way of rents from officers and saving in rent allowances will give a reasonable economie return on the capital invested. The provision of more housing for officers is one of the ways in which Government can help to reduce the present shortage of houses.

(8) Air Raid Precautions. This is to be regarded as a token sum: plans have net reached the stage at which estimates can be framed but it is feared that large expenditure will be necessary.

(9) New Peak School and New Peak Bungalows. The present school was designed for about a third of the number now attending it and a modern building is badly needed.

The Peak Bungalows which adjoin the Peak School are in a very dilapidated condition and due for rebuilding.

It is proposed to rebuild the Peak Bungalows on a new site and to combine the old site with the existing school site.

(10) Police Buildings.-Several stations are in need of extensive additions or rebuilding. It is proposed to build a new Training School on a site to be selected beyond the new Police Recreation Ground and the domestic buildings now used for that purpose will be available for sale, so recouping part of the cost.