1905-09-23 — Page 4

LEGISLATIFE, COUNCIL.

THE ESTIMATES.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 1905.

sites and buildings must conform Ioatead of the known a high military officer stand and are therefore, if need be borrow to ensure the,|| England, Mỹ. Chadwick and Dr. pressnt haphazard system of running a street his house and all his treasures consumed by speedy accomplishment of work" To pay for prepared long and careful here and a road there just as some one happens fra before his eyes, helpless for want of averything out of income although admirable ports have been to pai up a building? It will have to be done water, and then when every coolie in the in many ways is a policy of caution which may entlisty by the all over again just as in London to-day they, town was enjoying fall constant supply at times be wisely departed from with an amplo Health Ordinance bave & Royal Commission whose report runs think that it may fairly be claimed that the revenue, with a clean bill of health, with an actly on the lines reco

and proper into 8 volumes, laying down a scheme of road attitude of the Execntive towards the water energetic Govaroor who is also an engineer, wick. Since this agi

the head

of the agitation:It was too—it may interest you. zealous offcer for London Insprovements

Hupply which In estimated

has bean en Tytam was finished

Kopen to criticism during Day.D.. backed up, I hope, and believe but to you whai the mortality statistics have been!

· million cost about thiny

pounds,

a year before the Cham Cound! nearly all the last 15 years. of which with the preTOR CORAZIFA of arrived at and that they cou The supply SAMA

ablakber of home difõtembak ofEdeath” rate! part

at have they seemed to think that finality had been keen and efficient department, with labour as In the of 1

fold their hands aver abundant and with the public purse sans per thousand of the population been avoided and saved if the

* Willing

In the Colony that day had adapted the advice and and sit down and do n

to pay for any assistance his departs per "Bancas Berkeley (Attorney Geparl), Hon. carried out the plans submitted to them hy. Into all the'houses in the town suon dissipaid must may requira, the present: Noems a golden was 25.78 pin 1901, -23.5511⁄2erry Mathe total, Bing Blika Bill,

Let us des that we avail ourselves, as far as we opportunity for us to be up and doing the suspicious fortune which the Fates can, have ven us. With the reservations I have ment second reading of the Bill (applause)..

ston'

arat init, A meeting of the Legislative Council was held this afternoon. Present-His Excellency the Governor, Major Sir Matthew Nathan, XGM., RE, His Excellency Colonel Dar- ing, C., Hos. Mr. T. Sercombe Smith (Colonial Secretary), Hon. Mr. L. A. M. Job

** (Colonial Treasurer), Hon. Sir Span Basil

Tayler (Harbour Master), Hon. Mr. W. Chatham (Director of Public Works), Hon, Bir CP. Chater, C.M.G. Hon. Dr. Ho Kal, C.M.d. Hon. Mr. R. Shewan: HOD, Mr. Gershons Stewart, Hou, Mr. C. Wa Dickson, Hon. Mr. Wel Yuk, and Mr. A. C. M. Fletcher (Clark of Councils).

Mr.···

MINUTES,

that idea and it is therefore with regret that one sees any relaxstinn towards the much desired end-a fuil and conitast water-supply,

SANITARY EXPENDITURE.

-year

In 1901, 21.70 in

1909, 18.19 in 1934, 16.94. *- caldes The Public Health Ordinance, to and for other pur

par 1,000

foreigners, and amend the Mer Chinese

Stho' BE The Colónial Se which I bare referred, was

ed 1 have pleasure in supporting the 23rd February, 19595 I the Bill read and paksed/

Sir Christopher Wren and John Evelyn for the rebuilding of the town after the Great Fire.

and of London. It will be the same with Kowloon exercise Ister on if ws do not look ahead.

little forethought and imagination. Stimulating industrid swagle, I think, be bosi With a clean plague abeet, a happy state

THE GOVERNOR'S REPLY. effected by the Government giving up its prac. shared also by the city of Canton which has no Sanitary Board, the amount of $491,645 the last cont whenever tice of always exacting

WIDOWS AND ORPHANS' PENSION FUND. a piece of

fece of ground is wanted for a new industry put down for sanitary expenses 100ms encimas.

H.E. the Governor. Before referring to the The minutes of the last meeting were read I know of one contemplated industry which it If ons protests too loudly the bogey of the Co- and confirmed."".

was seriously intended to start in Canton on Inny's ruin and plagus tearing ranipant through details of the two speeches to which, we hava this account. In subther case the Company the streets is shaken before our eyes. It is not just listenad, I should like to thank the hon. ↑ be cited by honourable members to show that The Conoiul.Secretary

an item, therefore, that an expert people can member who has just spoken for his very clear which had bought the ground from the Govern

take Π strong stand against. At the same exposition of what he considered to be the ment and cleared it of squatters at its own ex-

Excellency's particular attention to this great of the Canton-Kowloon railway and of the it wanted for an extension A small

piece housing its workmen. Needless to say the outlay of public funds and we appeal to you development of the New Territories. No ex- ground was not hought, and the last time I with your acknowledged grasp of detail and

FINANCE.

The Colonial Secretary moved that the report of the Finance Committén (No. 7) be adopted.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded. Carried, The Colonial Secretary laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 35 to 38 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded. Carried.

Bill passed,YERE

third read

"funber to

deaths from plague numbered 1,251, in 1904 BES PROTECTION OV, WON they numbered 495, and this year,

The Attorney General: end of the plagus season, the number is 27401 | ing of the bill entfiled an do not go so far as toclaim that these improve amend the prefection ments are due to the measures taken by the Ordinance, 1897 Government but I do claim that they cannot those measures have been ineffectual ok that

large amounts appear in

The Attorney General: 'the' estimates those are not spent unless the necessity arises, ing of a Bill entitled and C Last year t

r there was a saving of about $80,000 the Summary Offences Ord bas

• The Colonial Secretary, seconded,, vote on plague and hope there

.pense was asked rzi times the original cost for time we may be pardoned for drawing your views of the Colony in matters of public work expenditure is not-wasted and though BRONZOLAMMORAL BOLICITATI

for

оп

to

third read:

& the

'concern was called to account for making a path that we get fall value for our money, bers, of Council I take it as representing his your be a surplus on the plague › es- PRES MARRIED WOMEN'S MAINTENAKO saw it was süll lying idle. In another case, a capacity for organisation to satisfy yourself-caption having been taken to that view by other speaking from memory on the savitarymation was carried.: 24

the opinion of the community, and, as such, to a piece of ground on the top of a hill which it difficult for any one to feel assured that ever will the most valuable to me in supporting the timate to meet excess in other direction. The Council went into Commlico Last year I discussed with the President of the Bill entitled An Ordinance relating had bought from the Government, although in 500 men can be fully and constantly employed. various schemes that we had in hand and in

Were it not for a reduction of $10,000 for dis- com

reduction, not in expenditure bat in amount ence to married women. what other way the men, not being birds, was infectants the total amount of this vole would contemplation (äpplause); Going now into the Banitary. Board the desirability of making a summary urisdiction of Manfstrat

details of the speech we have just hear devoted, and he preferred to leave it standing for. Upon resuming the Attorney General pre supposed to get there i have never understand. In a third case it was attempted to bring a exceed $500030 and be greater than 1905: [livered I would refer first to those points to the aniber year. There is, as I polated out before, the third reading of the Bill

of the representative of the Chamber of factory to book for having built a well within The diminution of $25,000 in the

révenue from felling, trees is very icipated 10 merce and the Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart. 1.altogether a saving of over $12,000 on tho The Colonini" Secretary, seconded, and the fl of us who love pur Mar 1006. He said.-Sir, I is urual for the being asked the Government could not explain while on the subject of treas, scenery, and 1 will say at the outset i am not prepared at the Estimates. There is a decrease in the sanitary bift waï rend a third tizie and passed;.

would like to

to prosent moment to give a full explanation of the vote of 55,839 that has been transferred to that vote from another $3,000, whils, with the $2,688 item touched upon by your Excellency "Sport," compliment the Government on their scheme, proposal to transfer to Government the Widows' uided for expenses on markata: for which?

pro there would be equivalent receipts, gave a total of saving of $13,417 I hope the saving in actual expenditure will be a good deal more than the saving on the Estimates, and, if so, shall be still able to decrease further the ex- penditure next year,

THE ESTIMATES. The Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the bill satitled an Ordinance to ap ply a sum not exceeding five million seven hun- dred and seventees thousand two hundred and seventy-six dollars to the public service of the honourable member who is in charge of a Bill to avail himself of the second reading to take the opportunity to say something about the Bill and to urge its merits, but in view of the

very comprehensive explanation of the estimates pos, given in the speech from the chair at the meeting a fortnight ago, 1 think I canno with advantage make any additional remarks. I will simply content myself with moving the second reading of the bill.

for 1905,

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

MR. SHEWAN'S BPRECIL

Hon. Mr. Shewab: After your Excellency's full explanation of the Estimates there is not much left for me to ray, but there are One or two points on which I think we should have more light. The Bill in connection with the Widows and Orphans' Fund has not yet been laid before us and it does not seem to inc to be correct to include this appropriation in the Estimates, for if we vote the Estimates we commit ourselves to the principle of Bilt which has not yet been passed. The mor

money it is proposed to appropriate belongs to the Government servants from whose salaries it has been deducted. It is in the nature of a trust fund, and should be treated accordingly. but it is put down in the Estimates as revenus. I feel sure that no auditor or accountant wouki рав

this except as capital from the interest on which the pensions are derived. How the Government can propose to appropriate this

large amount of $220,000 without even saying by your leave to the men to whom it belongs I

its curtilage, but this fell through because of what the culilage was. With regard to the

I am quite in agreement with Mr. Kipling, and do not think in this Colony it requires any encouragement from the Government. If our young men were-but-to serve their masters as diligently as they serve their god "Sport," we should not see the British slowly driven out of the trade of China by the hardworking German the thrifty Japanese and the Britising Chinh man. In trade and commerce 10-day the race to the man who gives himself entirely up to it, and who like St. Paul has put away childish things. We shall never regain our old position in the Far East by encouraging our men to dream all day of pule ponies, cricket matches, and boat races.

THE COLONY'S OPINION, The Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart said :-After the luminous and comprehensive review which we all had the pleasure of listening to from your Excellency on the first reading of the Estimates for 1906 it may perhaps appear-to. sume unnecessary to say much more up. a subject which has been dealt with already in such a masterly and thorough manner. As Mr. Shewan and myselfhave, however, been detailed afl by the Unofficial Members to review the Ge vernment programme, I ask your indulgence,

in giving you some ideas which occur to me on

THE PIERS.

PROPOSED NEW TRAMWAY "The Tanding of the Hill oniltiad an Ordinance

for authorizing the construction of a tramway within the Colony of Hongkong, was post poded. WIDOWS AND ORPHANS PENSION TUM The first reading of Bill entitled an Ordinances la trasfer to the general revenue the moders standing in the Treasury to the credit of the Widows and Orphans'Pension Fund, to provide for future payment of pensions to the widows and orphans of deceased public officers, and to make the payment of the same a charge Upon and payable out of the said general revenue, was not proceeded with AMLOD

The Council adjourned. SOFINANCE COMMITEER

for planting the hills on the north side of

and Orphans' Pension Fund the principle of harbour and I hope to see the red-headed bills which proposal was accepted by the Governor in Kowloon included in their programme, And in Council and by the directors of the perhaps wreathed with laurels. By the increase fund several years ago, nor at the present time in trees means that, so mud less earth is work can I furnish the Council, with the reasons ed by ruinstorms into the harbour and on the which led them to pass the existing ordinance cure the more woods you have the less work bodied many principles which will be includ principio prevention is always better than and several preceding ordinances which em-

TYTAN RESERVOIR. Now, the third matter referred to in the two you will have to do when it comes to dred-ed in the new Widows' and Orphans' Pension

The supproaches" to the

Fund ordinance. Before effect can be given speeches was what the Ron, Mr. Stewart re- ging the harbour.

to the financial arrangements. embodied in ferred to as a cessation of work at the reservoir town from the harbour are, as they have been

the estimates before you with regard to at Tytam. It was a slip, probably, because the for a very long time, in a poor condition, and

the fund the Bill which will be in work has never been commenced. Work is see no provision for their improvement in

troduced had to be passed by the Council, now is hard at Tylam-luk, No 1 section the present budget.

and ample opportunity will be given to the which we will completa, next year. The second The delspidated matsheds which at times Council to consider and discuss its prove section we will commence as soon as we can.

sions. In the meantime as it is desirable to The designs, etc., have not beca made out for A meating of the Finance Committee was ornament the three chief piers are, 1. maintain,

transfer the fand and that the issue of the it, but they are in hand, and by the time they held immediately after the meetings of the anwortly approaches to a port which claims to be, the third in the world. A spark from the larger pensions which the transfer will give are ready it will be time to consider the Estim Legislative Council, the Colonial Secretary

to the widows and orphans of past conates for next year. I'do not think any time is presiding. The slowing votes Wernerscom funnel of a sienin launch was sufficient to tributors should take effect from the com last by not including any amount in the Estimmended for adoption by the Council remove the ferry matshed in few moments mencement of next year, it has been neces ates for 1906, We might bare included.

month or two ago, and the gale we had on

nominal amount but it was hardly worth while, August 30, which was not a very severe one, sary to take into considerallup, in the Eatin

There is no intention of the Government to was sufficient to demolish the covering atates, the financial arrangements and I trust

that hon. members will see fit to leave fur shelve the project. NOMIN

With regard to the water supply at the Reak Queen's Statue Wharf. Luckily the covering at Blake Fier has stood, although in a some ther discussion of the matter until the Bill is what decrepid state, and it would take but before you. It was my intention that the the hon. Mr. Stewart asked questions to which little to dissipate the veremble relic from Bill should be before you before you are the Hon. Director of Public Works will no estimates of expenditure for administering the amongst us. When it is remembered how the called upon le vote the small amounts in the dubt reply. sun pours down and the rain also upan

unjust alike I feel it is not fund, but I received a representation from

by this Council the vote falls M interested, or whose widows wish that the elaborate plan for a proper and orphans jus and asking 100 inuch when

the certain gets would be interested in the fund, we express

many years, be extracted from their official

with. pigeon hule and the work proceeded with forth

AFPROACHES TO THE COLONY.

During the discussion on the Appropriations bill the Hon Mr. Shawan moved that the sum of $3,000 in connection with the Widows and be left out until the provision of the Widows and Orphans Fund be deleted. That Item ought to Orphana Fund had been passed. Erguenay

The Attorney General. You need not proas that, because if the proposed: Bill:is not pasied

The Colonial Secretary,—It is not follow

will be Hop, Mr.

cannot understand. I notice too that these wie mancy, without comment of any sort. neproach to Blake Pier, which has existed for and wish to consider carefully that repre- to be, but I am inclined to look upon the the Showanm No, but we might be told".

A

the subject. It would not in any case be right if the unofficial members, however content they silence and voted away about $7,000,000 ni may be at the general position, passed this ill

to do so suggests two possibilities: 1. That the unofficial members are no good-a possi bility I have more than once seen darkly hinted at-ur, secondly, that the Administra tion has arrived at a state, of perfection and is above criticism. As to the first I

am

THE CLOCK TOWER,

If your Excellency would, further, take the Clock Tower by the hand and lead it down to.. wards the waterfront and endow it with a large, clean, new face so that it could pass the time of day to every ship in the harbour a busy street relieved of a long standing conges tios and a considerable improvement would be

in 'too delicate a position to offer any opinion; and to admit the second would be lamentable to us all, for as things are ever changing in this restless world the next change which must came after perfection is a step to wands decay. I think Mr. Shewan has shown there are in perfections enough in the Govern-effected. ment programme to make one feel asures that we still belong to a healthy and progres sive body,

WIDOWS! AND ORPHANS' FUND.

I note with gratitude that the requirements for improved typhoon shelter have your Excel. lency's support and sympathy, may good wishes soon be translated into action, and it will be a joyful day to folk afloat when they see the foundation stone of a new breakwater take its

harbour (hear, hear).

sentation before proceeding with the measure. inay mention, however, that the Bill will contain a clause, sanctioned by the secretary of State, exempting the contributions to the fund from the Ordinance dealing with military contribution.

afterwards that we had passed it

The original motion was then carried

I concur with the hon. member that the ap. proaches to the colony are not what they ought replacing of those matsheds as not so necess

The motion was put and the Chairman de ary as other work that is provided for in the estimates. With regard to the removal of the Clock Tower which was also referred to, by theclared that the "ayes" had it. ka

Hon. Mr. Shewan challenged a division. Commerce on the estimates for last year, I am hon. member representing the Chamber of

Seven voled against the amendment and six not certain if there is any real public desire in its favour THE BANITARY DEPARTMENT.

that the clock tower, erected by the community

o PANDA THE WATER SUPPLY lan Turning now to the question of the expendia a mouument, should be removed. It is

stated to be an impediment te traffic, but I am When the item Jublic Works Extraor ture on the Sanitary Department, with which stat both gentlemen who spoke dealt with in some not certain that it is any real impediment. If E. dinary=$5,717,376" came to be considered li detail, I would remind you of the old adage-were satisfied there was any real desire to have The Director of Public Works bald eink

quite

before you put that motion l'answer the hon. Mr. Stewart's questions, My reply to the dist question, as to how long during each of the last five years hun the whole Colony had a con.. stant water supply, is-During the year 1899 the supply of water was constant for 365 days: during 1900, 350 dayış

Kto what

The devil was sick, the devil e monk would be

T'ha devil was well, the davii a monk was be.

with

is here where we keep an army of men heading is a novel departure and one requiring first plunge into the waters of this storen-swept | be defended against themselves and will re are in'l endon, bui wa came to the conciusion † 160 days;-1953, 228 days CREAT

The sum of $219,000 brought in under this

some explanation. We have no figures of any novel departure. soit on which to farm an opinion as to this

One of the smallest items of expenditure

It seems to be exempt from at least with the exception of Queen's College 1901, fram the Chamber of Commerce address they were sunk

Military Contribution, bat how that exemption is effected we have no means of knowing. If a vote of this Council is sufficient to excuse

REGARDING PUBLIC WORKS.

fans-is on page 55. it is the Ecclesiastical vota of $3,800. With regard in this item, I respect the opinion of those who think there should be no State sid to religion. Although I do not hold that opinion myself I consider that under limitations i is advisable and at times even necessary. That the item appears at all in these estimates shows that the principle is accepted, and that being the case it seemy to me that we do not err un the side of generosity. Much work is done in visiting the gaol and hospitals, and attending to the de stitute, and miserable by ministers of all denominations, and the reward for these services appears to be entirely in adequate. With a revenue of $7,000,00 and the principle of State aid to religion admitted the Colony squares its daty to its cn.cience cheaply by devoting about one sovereign per diem lo

service of this nature.

DESTITUTES.

Hon. Mr. Shawan-Could they not be placed in more convenient positions?

His Excellency-They are put where the ma- jority of people are who use them. There is the difficulty about this question that wherever they are placed sometne is certain to object to the smells that arise from them.

the old monument removed I should ba prepared to take steps to that effect. The hon: Well, the community was sick, and was sistu me her representing the Chamber of Com ously prodigal with money for sanitation. The merce referred to the urinalt on the Praya. community is now well and is desirous of went into the question some months are economising in this direction. Unofficial the Director of Public Worke, and I should members anticipated that they would need to like to have them placed under round, as they collect that in a letter dated 7th June, that they could not be sufficiently drained if ed in the Government-on which Chamber 1 believe some of the gentlemen present were sitting-contained the following parapraph

My Committee desire to draw attention to the folly of allowing the prejudices of officials the fear of expense, or the dread of unofficial opposition to stand in the way of the execution of sanitary measures which are known to be necessary and which have been inisted upon time after time by experts. If any doubi be entertained as to the practicability or expedi ence or otherwise of such recommendations, no time should be lost in referring them to a higher authority for decision. The time has now arrived when vigorous action should be aken to trecuse the continuance of the progress of the e Colony and to adequately pretect. the great commercial interests so adversely affects

ed

EDUCATION,

|

My reply to the second question as progress has been made with the rider system and what raving le oulmated, wil ensut, is: The rider mulat have been laid over an area of about half of the antira district intended to be served by them, and 3o anti- cipate a saving in the water supply of adent 100,000,000 gallons, say, should result. To the next question, regarding what amount of water is estimated to carry on the new system -- The Hon. Member representing the Chame of flushing sewers and if it will be all fresh ber of Commerce referred to the small vote for water, my reply is: The water for this par education. It is certainly not a large vote. As pose will be drawn from streams which the mentioned when addressing the Council a flowing down the hill sides, mod which the fortnight ago, education is one of the most dif. hop, member says he saw flowing to walle ficult subjects with which we have to deal in It is not possible to say what quantity, will be this Colony. Even if we had to spend a much used. The tanks will be filled and discharged larger sum it is difficult to say how it should according to the state of the tide, and ii la fa-

The Bill passed the Committee; without; be spent. I am considering the subject and tended to use all fresh water for the pil' pose possibly may arrive at a solution, It has to be borne is mind we are not educating our own amendment people, but we are educating a fluctuating pa- DAMAGE BY TYPHOONE pulation mostly subjects of China.

CHINESE COINAGE,

pensions will require a clerk, etc, costing $3,000 per annum, so that at the very outset we are plunged into extra expense. This item is put down ns exempt from military contribu: tion, but is it so? Ordinance No. 1 of tool exempls only proceeds of land sales and leases, and therefore before this money is dealt with clear understanding must be come to with the Military on the point. As a detail I would ask that the rate of exchange at which the pensions on page 7 of the Estimates are pait in t.ondon should be stated, a'at present it is very inde. finite. The sum of $491,645 to be spent by the Sanitary Department is to me enormous. How is it, I think I asked the question this time last year, that at Canton where there is litile or no such precautions or expenditure, plague is never worse than it doing nobody seems to know what. Half the money spent on Water Works it seems to me would be far more to the purpose, and instead of so many Bacteriologists we might have a trained Entomologist from home who would teach us how to trace out and demolish the white ant

ant and other insect pests which cause ;

item of revenue received from this huge loss to this Colony every year by their an tax it is a precedent, which will pro destruction of property. I regret very much bably be freely availed of in the future. the deferment of the" No, 2 section of the In addition to our affairs it seems a large Tytam Water Works scheme, You said, Sir, order that, by a stroke of the pen, the tax- that a large outlay if we can afford it would hasten the completion of the project." Then payers should be called upon to accept the why not afford it. If the outlay cannot be mettesponsibility of a life insurance company. When the Hill explaining this item comes on out of revenue we must have a loan, but do not for consideration we can then consider the let us loss a moment, in pushing forward the details of the scheme. Meantime our only whole work to completion as soon as possible by every means in our power. I hope that the course is to vote solidly against the inclusion of $75,000 spent on flushing tanks for the drains the figures in the Estimates and to publicly state that we view the whole project with dis. will enable us to do away with the pre-

favour. sent disgusting system cleaning the sewers by hauling chains through, them, While on this subject I would like to protest You will pardon me if i appear exacting as to against the way in which the Prays and other the demands for public works, but you will places are all being disfigured by unsightly remember that for to solid years from 1834 and urinals, which should be built underground, onwards all our spare money went towards and should not be erected almost immediately fighting the plague, and it is only now that we below people's offices and verandahs where can undertake many useful works, which have they are a nuisance and an offence. The com

been unavoidably held over. An immense in- parative figures for 1881 and 1966 are very in-

crease in the opium revenue coincides with a teresting, but although we spend a great dent great improvement in the public health, and we more money now. I do upt know that Hong. are naturally desirous of utilizing to the full the kong to-day is as pleasant a place as it was strong position we are in at the present time, then when we did not have the Sanitary Board and to everything in our power to make up spending 11-15 per cent of our revenue. the leeway we lost in the ten plague years,

does it seem to me to be creditable that Firstly, and chiefly, the point in the Govern with a far greater popalation our expenditure ment programme which calls for adverse com- on education should, as you say, have dropped ment is the cessation of work upon the scheme from

39 per cent, to 2.73 per cent. it is of a reservoir at Tylam Tuk, which will quite right to economise and cut down ex- when complete, solve, as far as it is pos destitute and penniless Europeat. Casens in peases, but it should not be done at the costsible for us to solve, the question of a con- plenty arise of 11-bealth and, bad luck amongst of education. The new scale of salaries for stunt supply of water to the island of our own residents to occupy us, and without subordinate officials will, I fear, not do very Hongkong. This is of such paramount im-heing niggardly it is manifestly our duty 10 much good. It is a step in the right portance to the beat interesis of the Colony that first take care of our own household. direction, of course, for if you want a any delay is to be much deprecated I trust good man you must pay good wages, but sincerely that the arrangements for pumping you will never secure efficiency until you give are being developed to prevent as far as po the Heads of Departments full power to dismiss sible the wastage of good water running incapable men with or without commutation of} through Tytaṁ valley to the sea, There are 1 ful (applause), and we awalt with interest and Sanitary Board, to whose opinion we always scheme as the Hop, Mr. Shewan referred to li

which I pansion, otherwise the good men leave while the three questions hope the Director of indolent and incompetent remain with you only Public Works will answer when the extimates to swell your pay roll and pension list. I am

for his department come to be passed :---

(1) During the last five years how long dur see that the Government has done Sorry nothing

to stop the influx of Chinese coins ing each year has the whole Colony bar a from

the mainland. It is little short of a dis- constant water supply? grace that the people of a British Colony should have to use a debased foreign coin which the Banks refuse to accept, and which even the rickshaw coolie will only take at a large dis count. There is another matter which the Government if it wishes to assist the trade of this Colony might look into, and that is, the registration of Chinese partnerabips. The pre- sant system or want of system only plays into the hands of bauk compradores and others who try to make money by guaranteeing obscure or atown Chinese hongs and. firms, and much misery and loss might have been prevented this year if merchants and traders had been able to know better with whom they were dealing. I am glad to bear that something is to be done to give better roads to Kowloop, but why does the Govern ment tinker at the matter in this way? Why can it not a fixed

·

(2) What progress has been made with the rider main system, and what saving does he estimale will ensue ?

This subject, naturally males one ikink of destitutes, and of the increase, in that field of charity, which your Excellency desires us for our own moral advancement to deal with by individual as opposed to public 1 quite recognise the extreme un effort. desirability of making things too easy for the unfortunate, who, in many instances, are the idle and all-indulgent.. At the same

time it is a bad policy to press a willing

the horse too far, and charitable would preciate stronger effort on the part of the executive to protect them from the eyer, increasing invasion-from-outside-of-e

KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWÂY.,

The

inter

With regard to the prevention of Chinese coinage coming into the colony, that was a point dealt with last year and it will be very in. teresting to have a definite statement from the Chamber which the Hon. Member represents in the matter, Also it will be interesting to the Government to have a definite statement from the Chamber of Commerce as the master of the registration of Chinese partnerships.

Correctly inte Hon. Mr. Gershom Stewart has preted my views on the charity question Q that it is unnecessary for me to deal with the matter further. As to stopping the invasion of this colony by destitute Europeana Billar t is hoped passed during our last session which it is will tend to have the desired effect. No proposal was made at the tline of the passage of the to make it more drastic than it is. With regard to public works I see there is one point I have not dealt with, that of a definite scheme of roads and boulevards in the New Territory, and Kowloon 1 may say that such definite

·EXÍUIL

|

A sum of $336 in aid of the vojny, Hotanica) and Afforestation Department, other charges, maintenance of gardens, snd grounds, for cost repairing the damager done by the recent typhoons and rainstormas, just

of

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURK

A sum of $7,500 inʻald of the võie, - cellaneous services, for the following list. Other miscellaneous services Refunds of revenge

STANLEY POL

sum of $150 in aid ol extraordinary for the follow

Miscellaneous Work Converting a repm in thực

Station into a drying 100m up a drying stove in the too Erecting a small matched on front of the Station,

BEAL

by these disastrous annual epidemics." The Government has overcome or has en- deavoured to overcome the prejudices of officials, it still has the fear of expense and carefully consider all the expenditure; but the dread of anofficial opposition in order that those who stand in the way of carrying out the messures which are known to be necessary and which have been insisted upon time after time by experts.

Possibly you may ask who are the expens we ate to consult, and the answer to that ques tion is made perfectly clear in the preceding the opinion of the Committes, the Colony paragraph of the letter, which site, the Colo possesses in the Medical Officer of Health a valeable and energetic officer, whose untiring efforts to promote the sanitation of the city merit every encouragement; whereas, hi te commendations, Ike those of Mr. Chadwick, have been frequently ignored, shelved, or pared

when adopted." The Medical Officer of Health, who was then culogised by the Chamber of Commerce, and whose recommendations we were told not to ignore, shelve or pare down is the present Medical Officer of Health and President of the

Then in addition to that letter, written four

is it publlibed depar incline in the matter of sanitary estimates. years are, there was a subsequest petision, His Excellency-It may be possible, but it is sent to the Secretary of State which was very not desirable to publish it. If the bon, memtion of the Public Hea numerously signed, among the signaturesber will favour me with a visit to my office I wil

to him. observe that of the present representative of show i the Chamber of Commerce. At the end of that Hon. Mr. Shewan-I think I saw ons, petition thers, was the following statement: One road was on it

The foregoing statements prove that the His Excellency think that is not the case, local Government has failed to give effect, save The Hon. Mamber, representing the Chamber in a very qualified form, to the meatures so of Commerce referred to the difficulty in the THE

the Government Nat As far as may observation has served me the frequently urged upon it by its own Medical matter of the price charged by t

Leer yond what the inhabitants require for them have met with so little result, ladesc, that the Han! Mr. selves. Give them a quick and ready access Colony is now suit one of plague, and general principis, with regard to the

severely from the His Excellency-For new Be annukily recurring. to the Hongkong market and this will changed, and I hope that our new Territory within a lesser degree, of enteric fever and amall Government charged for land is the an industrious and increasing population, ren pox. The inadequacy of the measures adopted value. That is what will be pald dered possible by augmented facilities for trans by the local Government in dealing with 10 Government did not sell the fand port and communication will spring forward into grave a crisis may; we submit, be regarded as would bring the profit will not go

new life, i think under the influence of equivalent to a tacit admission on its part that commanity, but to the individual who the skilful husbandman, active because bf it is beyond its power, of its own initiative, to ed it at Jess, and who sold it at good market at hand for his produce, we will undertake the gigantic task which a thorough think these are all the points see many of those barren hills rejoice and and efficient reform of the sanitary conditions thei bring forth fruit, and many places now lying of the Colony, with the heavy expenditure.and

sacrifices all ending it, would involve radi

For the earnest activity with which your Ex- cellency has endeavoured to promote the Kaw faon-Canton Railway the whole colony is grate. anxiety the result of the present negociations. Whatever the delay may be about these nogo. tiations, I hope that your Excellency will

pur sue the policy of constructing that portion of the line lying within our own border (applause), for to see it running will have a fine moral el fect upon public opinion in South China, and I am sangs.me enough to believe that in many ways it would repay us the cost of outsy,

THE NEW TERRITORY,

Hon.

New Territory has up to now grown little be; l'Offeers and other experta; its efforts, so far,, for land. ShaNK SEMESTE

(3). What amount of water is estimated to carry on the new system of flushing sewers, and will it be all fresh water? With regard to the last item is it not possible, in some way, to ase some of those cataracts which go foaming to the sea in wet weather on the north side of the island, in some degree, impounded and harnessed to do the work of fushing drains, After six months dry weather in the Bpsing it is trying to all of us to see quantities of good bath water and drinking water go gurgling down the sowers,

Those of us who lived through the drought of 1902 and know the annual recurrence of a short supply on the upper levels can only view with regret any failure to cope with that most scheme of insome It an injustice wat

wide ronde and broad bonisvards for Kowloos have known parents paying large laxes rose. Succeeding generations will share with

In answer to that petition the

pad the New Territory to which all building submit to see theirchildren unwashed. I have me the benefit of anything done now, Let us | Stale, as you are aware sent out arparts, from

mbers to

paw.

ind

for printing.

dinace, 100

Asum

This was