1923-06-15 — Page 10

10

PROBLEM.

T2457-

nths to pull down anl struct these Chinese tenements, the hardship does not lust for very long period

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Rat-Infested Slums.

enalty of our evil

lost thee hvelihood

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Vague Allegations.

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FRIDAY, JUNE 15,

1923.

whether

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DENT

The Hon. Mr. Pollock: I am

you

were away last year, and tenders came in on the 5th June, How-

icentrul ring of hills,

The Hon. Mr. Lang: Objection was taken to the design suggested. Further discussion was post-

pened.

liminary vote. We do not know The Chairman: This is a pre

what money will be required; nor how soon.

Works, Recurrent, Hongkong, it Communications, (8) Maintenance of Telephoce including all Cables. But its

The Chairman: This includes

4.

"

the cost of cable and use of the Cable Company's ship.

New Nursery.

'$4,000 in aid of the vote Bo- tanical and Forestry Department. Dces

Other Charges. Forestry, New. Surely Territories.

HONGKONG'S HOUSING|affected most of them being in of land. If we sell by auction, in tic tenement demand payment of and it is possible that the virus of the opinions they express.. Valeu

win nitapimased. In must boom times, prices are exaggera: any sum of money whatsoever in the delay would spread from the they are directly instructed by me sorry to ask for this to stand over cases additional storeys are to be fed. If we don't sell by auction the addition to the rat

Government body to the new com that a measure is provided, baa 14 310 seGovernment lays itself open to

So: Nursing Tenants.

a Government{a little longer. if possible. I have mitter. Rouses in Watter Street, hou es charges of bad faith by disappoint-

jone which they must support, they been in communication with Mr. It is not for as to nurse the (Concaued from Pane (9)

fed applicants. Also, if lard

Desirable Reconstruction. Jin Upper Butter Street and

ate free to vote in accordance with Soares, and I am expecting a fur- is tenants in all their cemings in and houses in Metiregor Stert-the sold below its market value there goings out, and I propose to acting a large amount of desirable tess, Mr. Pollock, that I am amazed

At the present time we are get-their own Ponvictions. "I must conther communication. apie orercrowding and for the pur

is nothing to prevent the parchaser the Attorney tieneral

The Chairman: I may mention puses of The

present argument accommodation will

selling it the next day. In this this does not cover, the matter.

reesustruction done at the expense that you should sagerst that that this vote was agreed by the I merely state the fact that home-ing to the provision of

new scheme the Government will

(of the landlord If it is not done shoul

responsible This provision of eve land anywhere in the Colony which I will draw attention name of ture before it is necessary to do

Finance, Committee when for less people do find accommodation|spaces.

There is one further matter to by him it is probably only a question manoeuvre as you have, d-fined it. somehow. I have a list of a consues is wist we de Sup (without charge or a forty years, the statement of

The Hon. Mr. Pollock: AR,1 siderable number of empty teneng a machinettre was set

the Senior as lease. The Government rents with which I will not now has been suggested by the lesser will by agreement, before sleeping in the street.

and the Unofficial member

it at public expruse. as to Chinese

Sow, every wished to say was that putting ever, I have no objection to post- frouble rongurable members, but Caofficial member, what standard operations emmence fix the valve this got abroad, and especially if they are ready to spend it in resour

I think ifly seems to have money to spare: to the vote of the Oficials after ponament, except that it is rather awkward for the tenders. This Eserl'ency has they may Se interested 13 The would

expresand it adope other than the of that land. Suppose, for exam-it got to Parliament at Home, it/vunstructed buildings because, owing yourself strongly in a certain dire new cemetery is at Kowloon in a heures relating to tenements under stawkarst of in construction. Between the 1st of fantais improved type of house 52 a fool, you agree before you pression.

ple, it is a plot of 50,000 feet at would create a very

wrong im- to various circumstances, including tion, is not really, leaving it to the January and the 31st of May, 51You have to put in the lalanes start that

Those who have had revolutions in Chias, remuo rat seanfettered decision of the Council European and 321 Chinese houses the one side a large number

that land is worth experience of mis town at night, employment of capital, in Chisa is H. the Gaezehrt Council will of $100,000. There will be imposed a or have had anything to do with difficult to find. were certified for occupation. The very

When that condi- | proceed with the discussion of the mach improved dwellings building covenant according to the the Police, will support me--azetion of affairs passes away and per- Ordinance. Europeat. houses consisted of 162 Joining more people. legitimately weakay and in some

Empire Exhibition. and the Chinese of 997 storey housed, ami on the other a great will be a restriction as to the type will agree-when I say that in

cases there I am sure the Chinese members ple have other uses for their money

Amendments.

$250,000 on account of Miscel- Between now and four months' temporary inconsenteme to

unlikely they will be content The Hon. Mr. Pollock mentioned laneous Services, contribution to- mity of tenant. me there will be 29 new European eraints and I admit, a veg great are completed the lessee is allow-portion of the people living in eau wet out of reconstructed in by the Tenants' Association. ton of British Empire Exhibition When these buildings the hot weather a very large pro-with the six or seven per cent. they an amendment to Clause 7 suggest wards expenses of Hongkong Sec- rousts: 374 European fats and 472

jhardship to business

But led at any time that the value of the Chinese tenements prefer to live nuts. When that time comes they was to the effect that "the Magis expected to be incurred in 1923, Chinese houses, containing 1.594 ppowing we had adopted this land is doubled, to sell the whole in the streets because of the heat will off the construction as storeys. And there is also the new!,

|trate may ortier the lessor to allow The Chairman: I read to you policy when the Route Ordinance property, as it stands, in the open within doors. In wet weather you long hotel of seme 90 rooms in Kow-i

hs their houses will the lessee pusgesing. of such at the last meeting a letter from Art S- Ulle- into toon. As agains; that the number"

wmarket on the ordinary 75 years) may see them operation,

with little tents.hod together. t must con domestic tenement.” we renewable lease. The price realis- Sleeping in the street has no confess I should be reluctant should not probably have, as

the Chambers of Commerce. You those which have been or are)

to be The Attorney General remarked must realise that in voting this be demolished, is 417. There have now the one Bank of Una led gies firstly & pay back the cost nection whateve with this hous- member of the jozord con-that after a house had been rebuilt money you are binding yourselves fore, it will be soon that there s Building in Queen's Hund, or the of the buildings, and the preceda ing question.

mittee unless I was an architect it might be difcult for a former To a total expenditure of $650,000 uilding in excess of what is dis.Asiatic Petroleum Building or the fare divided equally between the

The Hon Mr. R. H. Kotewall: an engineer, because it the Contenant to find

the corresponding that is the maximum. mearing.

It takes only some six large structure in Pedir Street in Government and the lessee, who 1 would like to bear out the com~itutter refuses permission to recon part in the new house correspanding i

has had the enterprise to put his ment just made by the Colonialstract and there

The Hon. Mr. Holyoak:

This which the Senior Chinese member

The Gor-Secretary. If struck me whilst disaster-supposing Belilios Terrace

Was serious to the portion he had occupied

does not represent the cost of the is interested, because these built money into the concern.

ernment is assured that it gets the Senior "Unofficial member was

The Hon. Mr. R. H Kotewall con

Exhibition Buildings? inks did dispossess a unter

back at least the original value fix-speaking that his

were to collapse upoa its inmates-sidered that the amradment remarks were [business people who could find no!

I feet that the Committee which not worth pressing, and it other necmodation, and thereforeed upon the land and-here comes somewhat over stated.

refused to allow it to the important point of the arrange- The question is to be locked at

recon- droppedL econd Reading Carried. ment from the point of view of thef

structed would find their conscieners The Hon. Mr. Pollock moved the rom a wider point of view than

HE the Governor: I deter any and their reputations suffer as the second amendment of which

$12,800 in aid of the vote Kow- housing queston-the lessee. the individual tenant. In the great! Allegations, somewhat

remarks I propose to make until result. However, as I say, if the had given notice.

loon-Canten Railway, Special Ex- directly he has sold, must take his plague year of 1904, we paid the character, have been and regard original capital and re-invest it in amendments in committee.

to casid r individual

Council considers that this cause H.E the Governor suggested that The Churman: This is for a

penditure. Bridge No 7. rat-infesteding the rapacity Emilords and a similar operation. Therefore.

There should form part of the Ordinanesit would be difficult to apply the bridge over Slums, and Sir William Robinson there has been a sugar sun that. & as long as the demand is so much are only two things I should like to a perfectly contest, to leave it amendment to the mae of a

the new main road wrote: "The remedy, as ydfe Lord-Fair Beats Bard should be created in excess of the supply as to cause sincerely trust that this will be the other point.

ma from Samshuipo to Kowloon City. Itu the decision. u will see, is a very drastic one.to curb their extortions

There is who wanted sleeping space for a The contract estimate was $61,000; I couldjland to double its value the lessce

It is proposed that week-end, who would not know any but considerable excavations had the destruction tell tales fiants win have sute will go on building and selling with last time the Council will be called tit eommittee should have discre-i

about the standard rent. betion of the result that new buildings will upon to extend the operation of the ion to postpone reconstruction tori

to be made and there was a large The Hon Mr. Polsek: It might unexpeted amount of rock. Hongkong. It wil necessitate renting their barniture, which would always be coming into being. While that diance; the other is that Is long as eighteen months. If the V diffent with regard to 3 bed $16,200 in aid of the voce Public the extension in every direction of put the tales regarding the inadlord the original lease for forty years

should like the Council to underOrdinance is only to last for twelve space, but there are other parts o mouses fitted for Chinese cecupa-into the studie

and the in mense amount of work months it is undesirable to have a the house in regard to Bat with regard is running the lessee un on improved sanitary

which the Colonial Secretary has iplex". Since that day we have has been grea exaggeration.

Prit this rental question I think there charge a sufficient nett rental te had a Public Health and Building Government has had

Tbring in eight per cent, and pay been personally patting into thisger period named in the men would not be difficult.

sure itself. The position would be ILE. the Governor: Ordinance which, with all its im

conten-all.expenses including a sinking matter for weeks past-Applausek that the Committee would have does apply to the small space

The second reading was then car fund and insurance and repairs; perfections. is a great advance onrge nitaker of bungalows, stunde (rustivat a "scheme for building 2.

bu: there will be no charge in the ried

wer to exercise jurisdiction under it difficult to get it to work, and the Ordinance six months after they give opportunities for black- e conditions of those days, and detached almong the nilang ... rent in respect of the value of the!

The Attorney General moved that Ordinance had expired His Excel ail the condition of the twn is much

ro wil go into Committee tu conency suggested the substitution of Moore satisfactory. But

sia Kowloon The ice was

The Colonial Secretary: most undesirable slums these temporary bungalows show Point for Serious Considera fonde the Fili clau e by clause.

the figures 12 for 15 in the Amend Lot Section 17 cover itt nave been over all those that have he of the simplest constructs a wil The Senior official Member's Committee, Stage.

ment.

that Section is sufficient In moving Véén mimed in this connection, and wide roots evered with Mahis asked the Council

the proposed new

The Chairman: The Kowloon Vote Challenged.

The Attorney General thought Tong Scheme and its extension am speaking from experience thoid roofing and foundations brake upon the enterprise.rf per-lurs of which he had spoken the

The Hon. Mr. Pollock accepted the amendment could not do much Northwards has recessitated the when i say that honourable mem exept erugh to keep them stand sons, who are willing to give us a Mr. Pellock said: I should like the suggestion and the amendment harm.

The Govern: 19 say with regard to what has fallen was then put ers would, if they saw them, being against typhoupз.

removal of the Government Nur- Without new houses for old.

The Hea Mr. Pullock: -truck with amazement that the allowing & amortisation, reais ment does not propose to use the fr.m the Acting Colonial Secretary

H.E. the Governor: I think the amendment is taken from

The sery and this is required for Colony

thwart the that first of all. I am satisfied that's" have it.

labour in laying out the not swept from end to anti upkeep and a per cent on the Official majority to

pre cadent-the Straits Ordinance. nursery and getting the water and every year by disease. In 1918 investment mismun rental works wishes of the Unofficial members it is desirable to have some body

The Hoa. Mr. Pollock called for we had the cerebro spinal mening-out at 130 a myth.

in the matter, but I would ask which can be referred to as a com division, and the votes were re; H.F. the Governor: Do

supply from a distant stream. I will read tis epistemie, and after the Oliksky from the estates

them to give very serious con- mitte in this esteen of reconstruc-corded as follows:

know whether their conditions are loon-Canton Railway Special Ex- $1,550 in aid of the vote Kow- This is tur report, the Government had in con-minimum rental which condi

sideration to the question whether toned that fer the reasons I

similar? I have not the slightest penditure, Locomotive, Carriage templetion the demolition and re-jehari, notwithstanding the

the proposed remedy will not agera- have given in my speech on the lock, the Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak objection to the amendment but vate cre di ase. The only criterioned reading quite appreciate the Hon. Mr. A. G. Stephen, the seems to me its practicability Machines for Workshops. constraction of large ares in the that the land would be leased for

and Wagon Expenses: Additional heart of the Chinese quarter, but a period of len

pon which you

ean base your the extraordinary efforts of the Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, the

is doubtful, and it does seem years with ut considered more experient

decision is the true interests of Coloral Secretary

The Chairman: This is for a to charge

re housing of Hon. Mr. Chau Siu-ki.

oller opportunities for blackmail wood planing and other machines. No, poison has bet the conimunity as a whole and I concentrate on the opening cu; and make for vacancies, nati consequent am sure we all have that at heart.hould cane trio e a r gularly con-Lang, the Hon. the Officer

Berants Hat it is desi able that it Against The Hon. Mr. A certain people like to take advan A large number of wagons and development of suburbs and the imly it is duelafer whether a low. r provement of communications with rental, than a child be charged. housing will be checked.

I think if this policy is adopted. Stituted body and that there shouldmanling the Troops, the Colonial ameling the clause which

Contage of it. Can you see any way carriages are being built and this

isis urgently needed. the intention that sufficient accom This merely proves that blocks of hardly revoke it until

We can be a body which has a certain legal Secretary, the Attorney General. less open to objection! modation should be available to put residential flats are

status The Colonil S-cretary, in the Coltuial Treasurer the csary with obviously sufficient accommoda-is position, carries a great deal tary for Chinese Affairs, the

Secre The Hon. M- Prilock: There stop to the congestion in the view of obtaining cheap accution to take in persons who may prestige and induere, but I think rector of Education, the Director

Di certainly should be such a clause. city. Now, suddenly, we have 095 datin and that cheaply curbe dispossessed, and

Another' Count of Votes. obviously.

It is desirable that there should be of Public Works. fstarted banglows will not

the Goveente: We.. will tert false at the same time, their

Scientist Develops Two The Colony's Opportunity. |the cave."

The amendment was therefore lost leave the matter to the opinion cí Three houses were as capital will no longer be available me body whick by law has power The unrest in China has poured cheap a small as this could be for further enterprises.

to pot a certain check un recon by eight votes to five.

the Council, and I take

Million Volis. A Blood of Chinese capital into this occupying 1,000 square

ruction, until satisfactory measures The Hon. Mr. Polkerk made at this occasion to express no opinion | Pittsfield, Massachusetts, June Art atl

A Warning. place, and a large part of it is containing two bedrooms, one sit- being used by private enterprise ng room, one bather and small advised to take waming by the press for this clause. With regard effect that the Unfficial Members the "Yu's" bave it."

I think this Council will be well tenants. That is the reason I heard from the Press table to the HE the Governor said "I think ever concentrated by buman in- have been taken for the rehousing observation which was not clearly myself. On being put to the vote -The greatest amount of energy

en its own initiative 10 do

genuity, more than ten million Pais [wrvants) quarters. The you for a example of other places where

to Belilios Terrace. I got the Build would obviously not vote in favour very work which should have been quality ago was suggest, w Government interference in econo-

The Hon. Mr. Block claimed amately 2.000.000 vel's of electri- horsepowar, estimated at approxi- done long ago. Year in and yestimated that on earh.

mic laws of supply and demanding Ordmance Ofter's report on of the amendment alter the very/division, when there'roled. out we have had preached to us the!

as regards the housing question aris properties. Though he says strong expression of opinion which Fur.-The Hon. Mr. A. O. Lang. then put back in its cradle by a Fran arable absolute necessity of removing

Senior

has not had the happiest results. that these premises are "old" he HE the Governor had given the Hon. Mr. A. G., Stephen. the single man, E. P. Peek of Pitts- 171 Tr mentioned this slum property. Now, not only lat built

put the cross" against against it. It diet ont amount to Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak, the Hofi-ld. The laboratory demon- the

You cannot make omelettes with- hy are others doing it for us, but we

them which denotes dilapidation. free voting but was a

Mr. FLE. Pollock, the Hon. Mr.atration culminated with an elect- - out breaking eggs, and I suggest Mission

Robinson are seizing

of the opportunity

that it is best to get this painful

GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. pointing out that they

to defeat the Unofficial minority, RH. Ftewall, the Director etrical storm over a model village widening streets and getting more

HE the Governor: I should like and he did not consider it fair. Public Works, the Attorney Gener-built for the purpose, when expensive for the residents threat process over as expeditiously as open spaces and effecting other lened with eviction, tram Beliliga possible, by encouraging every to say at this stage that I propose to HF. the Goverhor: in case thereal, the Offerr Commanding the tremendeos lightning bolt: was improvements which are long

whirped back and forth at the * overdue. Of course the landlords been put up under the Governmentiin new houses

ferm of building activity whether lenye it to the unfettered discretion was any misunderstanding, I hope Troops, buildings have!

or in reconstruc-of the Council to adopt this amend (no Official member considered that

Against. The Colonial Secretary.witch.

will of the operator at a small are not doing this from philan-

am satisfied tion: provided that the accom-meat if they wish I desire date anything I said bound him to vote the Colonial Treasurer, the Di. thropic motives, but 1 do think it Loan Scheme and I

The object if the experiment is not true to make a general as-that the return in the cost of the modation 11 am speaking parti-more to emphasize that I hope this in any other way then lis own rector of Edreation. Serieturs for was to keep research ahead of

cularly of Chinese tenement Ordinance is about to come to an judgment dictated.*

Chinese Affairs.

development. so, that when it is sertion that their guiding incentivebuilding alone will not more

Severni is the evasion of the Beats Ordin-than six percent, and if the value house is increased and the type end, at the end of twelve monilis

L'aofficial Merobers:

The amendment was therefore desirable to carry 2,000,000 volts. of the land is added the return will is improved. When conditions in from now, and I think it is a mistake Quite clear.

carried by nine votes to four." Jon a wire it can be done. The ance. There was one distinct es e ink

China return to their normal February inst, which unfortunately be more than three, or three state-assuredly they willance and thus lead people to believe the observation as to

to tinker with a temporary Ordin The Hon. Mr. Pollock, repeated

It was agreed to substitute for greatest single amount of voltage and a half per cent. I did not hear of at the time

effici Clause 10 of the El Section 10 of present transmitted is 220,000 trade will revive. capital will flow it is more likely to be renewed than upon the judgments of Official the principal Ordinanes with the volte, which is handled by a power which the Landlord bail re-built, Government's Novel Scheme för

back into its accustomed than-is the case. The second reason is tucmbers of a strong expression of substitution of the figures 24 for

[company in California. lely for the purpose of evading

nels, a large number of our rethat I feel however reasonable it opinion in one direction by H.E in the second line therest. the Ordinance. There was one In a rapidly growing commercial fugees will return to their homes, шлу be-dre adoption other crac, mentioned by the Senior community like Hongkong, rising and I hope the Senior Unofficial

of the the Govenor.

The Bill then passed through| Unofficial member No. 21, Arnog values must result in the building member will be amongst the frst

prevent HLE. the Governor: I should be Committee without further amend Street, in which, apparently the over of the vacant spaces in the-when that happy state of things people reconstructing cases sorry to suppose that members of ment and the Council then resumed.

mauifestly desir the Public Service were quite so

The Attoney General moved and sune object was m, view. I seut are of the town. The same arrives-to congratulate the Gov-where it is

A novel way of keeping down fre the architect and I think that thing has happened in other cities. erament on a vastly improved city able reconstraction should take invertebrate.

vi Secretary seconded the the weede that grow in the nothing more will be heard of the London our grandfathers lived in which landlords will be vying place. When a man is just wavering

third reading of the Bill. This was pathways of a public park is being adopted with great success at matter. These are the only carex. their grandsons are now in distant deors--Applause).

over their offices in the City and to induce tenants within their on the point whether he shall or On an observation by the Hon. carried and the Bill passed, accord

Alhambra, California. shall not destroy insanitary premiaca) Mr. Pullock, who war still

very lingly.

The cityúthorities have: - Provision of Open Spaces. suburbs. St. Martin's which was With regard to the second really fosanitary I mean-he mayistinctly heard that the result The Council adjourned sine die

{rquipped a wagon with a pressure. Well gentlemen: ne swallow formerly in the Fields, is now in a amendment as to mala fide action be determined not to do so by this was bound to follow,

FINANCIAL MINUTES. tank, a kerosene reservoir, and a does not make a summer and one crowded district adjacent to Tra- on the part of the landlord in clause He will not submit all his H.E. the Governor ali: ODBI The Colonial Secretary presid-small petrol engine to drive a doubtful act on the part of a land-falgar Square. If the Council will demanding more than his lawful plans to the consideration of two really dissent and object to lord is not necessarily a reason for excuse me in a digression for a rent. I will leave this to the Com-bodies. The Building Authority, is phrase "used. If anybody considers following the Council meeting vaporised kerosene and compress-

thed over the Finance Committee, centrifugal blower

From the tanks a mixture of legislating generally against all moment, I may mention that the mittee stage. 1 may, however, a very hard worked department and that I am endeavouring to jockey when the following votes, with thez a delivered through hoses landlords. In all other cases the Town Planning Committee has laid refer to Section 16 of the Rents unquestionably requires a little time the Unofficial members into the exception of the first, which was that end in long metal dozator Building Officer Asures me that he out a very large residential area Ordinance which says:

to exabine plans. The suggested belief that I have influenced the adjourned for further informa. The is antisfied that there will be more along the Kowloon foothills and (1) No person shall, as a con- quale might be another body Official members when I have not lion, were approved as Vapour les habted and a legitimate, accommodation of build-the Government has Initiated dition or pretended condition of of buy men and the time devoted I beg to repudiate the suggestion

$10,000 for Public Works Ex continues to pour from the nozzle, ing in almost every case. I will new scheme which has been ac- the grant, renewal, or continn to the examination of plane would heartily. I consider that the traordinary, Kowloon, Building,Ibis is directed upon the offend quotė his

words "In all other cepted by certain capitalists. The ance, by himself, or by any other be naturally increased. Government Official members have the right to Sexton Quarters, Kowloon Cemeing weeds, which are scorched up cases houses built prior to 1903 are whole difficulty has been the sale person of a tenancy of any domes departments are blamed for delay express their opinion and to hold terr.

in an instant.

opportunity.

in

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ARTIFICIAL LIGHTNING.

city was crossed, toyid 'with' and

TO DESTROY WEEDS.

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