June 12, 189.1
NOTICE OF QUESTION.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS gave notice of his in- tention to ask the following question-" Is it the intention of the Government to invite competitive designs from local ar chitects for the proposed new Government offices, or do the Government propose that the designs shall be prepared and the work carried out by the Public Works Department ?”
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the adoption of the report of the Finance Committee, The ACTING COLONIAL TREASUREE seconded, Carried,
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF TAIPINGSHAN.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
so before the meeting of Conncil I have just re-tary, dated 28th June, to resume the area of | views on the subject shortly. It will ferred to. It was accompanied by the draft copy Taipingshan, re lay the streets, widen them, and be in your Excellency's recollection the previously initialed by all members. I compared further improve them, and the strong feeling Council meeting of the 17th Septemb both copies and found them the same word for that existed at that time respecting the effect of I moved for the appointment of a Commissio word and appended my signature. Knowing such resumption for sash objects. The pro- to decide whether the original plan of destr that the Ordinance to confer certain powers and ject I laid before the Public Works Committee tion of Taipingahan should be carried out or authorities on the Medical Officer of Health practically include these recommendations made | not. It is hardly necessary for me to remind would come up for discussion that afternoon. I by the Permanent Committee so far as it entails you that the original plan or, if I may say so, made a hurried pencil extract from the report the total destruction of the buildings. the the popular plan, was that of total destruction by in case I might find it useful, and it was from re-laying out the e tire area, and the widen- fire, involving, as I then pointed out, a very large that hurried pencil extract note I read out. ing of the streets. From a pecuniary point of expense to the Government, while it was my hope How I cams to leave out certain words I cannot view I am bound to say that I am of opinion that if the Commission I asked for were appointed, explain; it was entirely accidental, and I had no the resumption cannot prove profitable, and it would perhaps fall in with my views, for- motive and certainly I never intended to do so. I must say that I think hou, members will mulated after personal inspection of the district, I now express regret to the Government for the agree with me when they consider the provisions viz., that a partial destruction, that of the omission.
of the Taipingshan Ordinance under which foulest and wholely irredeemable blocks, together The COLONIAL SECRETARY—On behalf of the the owners of property have been compensated with the adoption of the necessary mesaures for Government I may say, with regard to the state- | for the resumption, not on the probable fatare rendering the remainder sanitary, the outting ment that has just been made, that it quite under- | value of the property but upon the rents actually away of the backs of houses, and the making of stands the explanation made by the hoo, member, derived from the letting of basements and hovels, | new lanes and back yards, and thereby permit- The Government never for one moment supposed unfit in some cases for pig sties, as human ting the introduction of light and the proper that the hon. member, who has been a respected habitations. This Council has passed measures circulation of air, would be sufficient. - Since resident of this colony for so many years, would | by which such occupation is prohibited in the then the circumstances have altered. Mr. Cooper ever have been guilty of purposely and wilfully future, and the Sanitary Board are at the pre-returned from leave, made miënte surveys, and trying to mislead this Council. I am sure I am sent time engaged in enforcing these regulations. | issued a report, the outcome of his labours expressing, not only the views of the official But, sir, that increased rental and improved being the scheme he has laid before us, from members of this Conncil, but the views of the property and improved sanitation will result in which it will be seen be has quite aban- whole of the hon. members, when I say that the adoption of this project I have very little doned the idea of total destruction by fre.” I the explanation given by the hon. member is doubt. The total cost of the resumption up to need hardly say that I have gone most carefully satisfactory in every respect.
date has been a little in excess of $820,000. [into this schema. We have had two meetings Well, now, sir, it has been urged by my hon. of the Public Works Committer, and one of the friend on my left that the adoption of a scheme unofficial members called specially to discuss involving the cutting of a street here and the this matter, to which Mr. Cooper was invited and cutting of a lane there and the general repairing | came, and I have also bad private interviews and patching of the existing buildings would with that gentleman. As a result, I have come prove more profitable to the colony. Hoa, mem to the conclusion that, under the circumstances, bers must consider it is the duty of this Govern. his scheme is preferable to mine. The main ment to look the fact fairly in the face, that this difference between the two consists in that while property has been resumed by the Crown, has 1 contemplated partial destruction, and the passed into the hands of the Crown, and that in opening to light and air of the better con- dealing with it a purchaser would have to com.structed blocks, Mr. Cooper advocates pulling ply with the provisions of the Building Ordin' down all the houses, with the exception of one ance of 1889 and the recent sanitary legislation, block and laying out afresh the entire aren. Tagi There are in the Building Ordinance of 1889, as still of opinion that had my plan been adopted, hon. members are aware, very important pro-though the initial expenses would have been The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-I have visions dealing with the construction of back heavier, yet the property would have eventually the honour to lay upon the table the report of yards in all cases where buildings are erected realized more, the buildings still remaining the meeting of the Public Works Committee on property purchased from the Crown since standing over a considerable portion of the aren held on 23rd May last, and to move its adop- the passing of that Ordinance. I have very and that Mr. Cooper, though the sum he pro- tion. I regret to have to report to this Council little hesitation in saying that the majority poses is a smaller one, yet will not obtain so much that the members of the Committes are of the buildings in Taipingshan at the present from the sale of material and sites as would have not unanimous in recommending the Council to moment do not comply with those provisions, been realized from the execution of my proposal. adopt the proposed project for the improvement and the purchaser-if one could be found of Thegreatadvantage, however, which his posseserk of the "resumed" area of Taipingshan. The the patched up and repaired property might still is that, instead of a lot of narrow and irregular hon. member on my left (Hon. E. R. Belilios) | continue to let it for human habitation, but on streets constructed without any regard adheres to the belief which he entertained on the decay of existing buildings and proposing to proper arrangement or sanitation, it will con- the 17th September last, and expressed in this construct new buildings, in what position would fer upon the city a new district properly Council during the reading of the Bill for the he find himself? The majority of the lots are laid ont, and open to light and air, while wige resumption of Taipingshan, namely, that a of very small depth, some of them measuring could only have been of the nature of patch- project entailing only the patching and repair-only 32 or 33 feet in depth. If the hon. member work. Another advantage in his scheme which ing of the buildings would be sufficient. 1 on my left (Hon. E. R. Belilios) takes away four regret, however, although such a long time has or five feet which the provisions of the Ordinance elapsed, that the hon, member has not furnished require to give sufficient yard space, what would the Government, nor, as far as 1 am aware, any there be left ? The purchaser would find that member of this Council, with a more detailed he had, after allowing for cook house, wells, &c., statement of what such a project entailed, or how only a nett area of about 18 feet by 15 feet he proposed to carry it out. He, however, at That the Government can go into the market that meeting expressed himself in favour of sup with property of that description and expost to Hon. E. R. BELILIOS-I have to propose an porting the Government in the total destruction get any return commensurate with the ex- amendment, sir. In making my remarks I will of the buildings, and said that such a scheme penditure of $800,000, I think there can not take up the time of the Council in going might act in somewhat the same manner be only one opinion. It is practically im-baek beyond the four corners of the report as a sacrifice to the gods did in ancient times. possible. On pointing these facts out to of my hon. friend on my right (Hon. F. (Laughter). Well, sir, I am not aware that any the hon. member at the last meeting of the A. Cooper). I am glad to note that the Go authentic records exist that such sacrifices Public Works Committee he suggested that verument have finally abandoned the idea of have been attended with any beneficial re- as this was a special case it might be worth burning the houses, and I also observe from sults whatever, and I think it would be un- while for the Government to reconsider its legis his report that Mr. Cooper, at all events, is becoming on my part to assume that hon. mem-lation in regard to this area. Well, sir, these of opinion that the bacillus of the plague. bers of this Council attach any belief in such
not to be found in the soil, and that the wood a sacrifice, by which I understand the hon. mem-
and the other materials of the buildings are not ber to mean a sacrifice to gods of wood and stone.
infected. So far this is satisfactory to hear, but Far be it from me for one moment to come to this,
I should have thought these conol sions furnished Council and ask you to vote any public funds in
strong arguments in favour of adopting and im- support of such a superstition. I honestly and
proving the buildings as they stand rather than conscientionsly believe that in what I am asking
destroying them and laying out the area afresh of you I am serving the best interests of this
as proposed by my hon. friend on my right. colony. I believe, sir, that by adopting this re
The plan laid before us has been carefully pre- port both from a sanitary and a pecuniary point |
pared and is creditably got up, and it is with rest of view, we shall not be going very far wrong. At
regret I feel it my duty to oppose it. The plan, the time the Taipingshan Ordinance was before
moreover, falls in with my individual interests this Council the Government had not ang
as a property owner, which are best served by detailed information or knowledge of what was
having a large number of dwellings closed, as it going to be done with the area, or what any
bag a tendency to drive up rents and fill p
my project for dealing with the area would
empty houses. Such a consideration must not, cost. The Council, as I understand from Hon. C. P. CHATER-Sir, I beg to second the however, be allowed to weigh in the balance with the newspaper reports and further informa- resolution just moved by the Director of Public the welfare of the colony, which I propose to tion I have been able to obtain-being Works, and in doing so I am echoing the show will be most adversely affected if this away from the colony during the time opinion of my unofficial colleagues, with the scheme is permitted to be carried into effect. relied on the strong recommendations of the
With your permission I will briefly endeavOLÍTE. Permanent Committee to the Colonial Secre.
to show what Mr. Cooper's plan will costs
provisions have been passed, not with the idea of obtaining at any cost an ideal city, but for the benefit of the public health of the colony they have been considered by hon, members absolutely necessary. It is therefore utterly impossible, 1 think, that any member of the Council should now say "We find that these provisions which we think necessary for the health and the safety of the public are going to touch the public purse and therefore we will have nothing to do with them." I am sure, sir, that such a position would be practically impossible to maintain, and I trust that no hon. member of this Council will bring such a motion as that before the Council. With these few remarks I beg to move that the report be adopted.
exception of the hon. member opposite (Hon. E, R, Belilios), who no doubt will express his
I may point ont is that all the buildings can now be erected in conformity with all the addi- tions and emendations lately made in the Health and Building Ordinances. It is for these res, sons that my colleagues and myself, with the one exception, consider that Mr. Cooper's pro- posal should be adopted.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.