November 25, 1899.]
plainly that his staff was insuficient to pro- perly superintand the construction of jerry buildings. In the course of the past year quite
number of jerry buildings have come down❘ and there has been great loss of life. It is pitiable we should be here with a large surplus and yet make no provision for any increase in the staff of the Public Works Department.
The CHAIRMAN—As I have already pointed ont, it is almost certain that this increase will be necessary, and it is not improbable | that before long every honourable "member will have an opportunity of giving his vote in favour of this increase. ~ Has any other bon. member any remarks to make with to this amendment ? ⠀
No one re ponded and the matter was put to the protei « The amendment was lost, no one voting for it but the mover:
THE NEW LAW COURTS. The Chairman-We will now proceed to ❘ consider these items one by one,
The first item was "New Law Courts $20,000/
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I beg to move as an amendment that we substitute the words new Post Office" for "now Law Courts." Anew Post Offios is absolutely essential, in fact indispensible. Although the present Supreme Court may be inconvenient in many ways, it is still possible to carry on busi- ness there, whereas it is not practicable to do so in the present Post Office promises.
The CHAIRMAN-I think there is a great deal in what the honourable member says as to the absolute necessity for a new Post Offloa-a necessity of which not only every member of this committee bat of the community gen erally is convinced; but the difficulty is this —Can an arrangement he made to erect the new Law Courts on the site selected and the new Post Office simultaneously. If any scheme can be shown which will meet this difficulty I am perfectly certain the Government would be only too glad to carry it out.
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The Hon. C. P. CHATER-Probably some arrangement might be made whereby the build- ing of the Law Courts and the Post Offic. might be carried on at the same time. I think if you will look at our memorandum we refer to it there. In paragraph 13 we say -- 'The desirability of at once proceeding with the construction of the new Law Courts has been alluded to' in His Excellency's speech. Seeing that this work will take several years to complete, it cannot be too strongly urged that the work should be put in hand immedi- ately. The projected new Post Office is even more argently -needed. We are of opinion that this work should on no sccount_be_de- layed until the completion of the new Law Courts, but that its construction should be commenced at the same time if possible." Perhaps some arrangement might be arrived at whereby the Post Office and Law Courts could be proceeded with at once. I understand the honourable member opposite (the Hon. J. J. Keswick) will place before His Excellency some scheme where-by a portion of the City Hall might be available for the purposes of a court house, autom
The CRAIEMAN-If any soheme can be drawn up and it can be shown that it will work satisfao- torily the Government will be quite ready to entertain it, so that these two very urgent public works may be carried out at the same time and thus postponing one until the other is com plete may be avoided. (Hear, hear.) Do you wish to have your amendment put?
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Please. My amendment is that " The New Post Office be substituted for "The New Law Courts.”-
On the amendment being put to the vote it ras lost, 'mind the vote was agreed to.
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The following items were agreed to without comment Public Works Department Store, $3,000 No. 7 Polion Station and Branch, at Kennedytown, $12,000; Disinfector Station and Quarters, $7,000,
THE, ALLOWANCE FOR PUBLIC LATRINES.
-The next item was “ Latrines $5,000."-
The Hon. T. H. WHITCHBAD—I am aware it is not possible to propose an increase, but I cally think that the question of public Istrines should be taken in hand and that this vote
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
The CHAIRMAN-It is not within the province of this committee to propose any increase, as the honourable member has pointed out, but I think it is certain that next year the erection of publio latrines will be pushed forward. The Government fully recognises the desirability and indeed the absolute necessity for these works being put in hand and carried out as quickly as possible. The sum here may appear small, but without doubt a much larger sum will be expended next year out of the surplus. This is a subject upon which His Excellency may touch to
morrow.
The item was agreed to.
The following items were agreed to without comment :-Electrio Lighting Government House, $8,000; Forming and Kerbing Streets, $10.000; Extensions of Gas Lighting $1,000; Improvement of Gas Lighting $2,000.”
THE GOVELNOR'S PEAK RESIDENCE.
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dence $15,000.”
The next item was Governor's Peak Resi.
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Before the new residence for the Governor at the Peak is gone on with would it not be possible to take Tramway Station ? in hand the chair shelter for the coolies at the | $4,000.
It is only a matter of
The CHAIEMAN-I think the chair shelter is vernor's Peak Residence.
■ work which will be completed before the Go-
The Hon. T. H, WHITEHEAD-The Governor at all events is provided with a dry shelter whereas the poor chair coolies are not.
The CHAIRMAN-I do not think it is neces- housing of the Governor and the housing of sary to draw invidions distinctions between the the chair coolies. I thing the proper housing of both is necessary, and I have no doubt the honourable member will be glad to ses both pro- perly housed.
The item was agreed to.
comment:-Laying out Farm Lot No, 1. &o., The following items were agreed to without Yaumati, $6,000; Stores Account, $100; Pok- fulam Conduit Road, $5,000; Prays Reclama- tion, $10,000; Prays Reclamation, Govern- ment Piers, $10,000.
GAOL EXTENSION."
The next item was "gaol Extension $12,00 1.” The Hon T. H. WHITKHEAD - May I ask what this extension is?
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tion with the expenditure on public works, have The Hon T. H. WHITEHEAD In conneo- any definite instructions been received from the Colonial Office forbidding the raising of a silver loan to provide for the necessary works for the improvement of the New Territory P
The CHAIRMAN-You will remember that in my report on the New Territory I myself re- ferred to the question of a loan.. The proposal was not at the time approved by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, so I think I am right in stating that at the present the Secret ry of State for the Colonies is not in favour of the raising of a loan.
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Then, the whole of the money for public works in the New Territory, without which it cannot be developed, is to be taken out of the revenue of this colony?
The CHAIRMAN-The only public works con- templated in the New Territory at present are the erection of police stations with a view to the proper policing of the Territory and the construction of the road from Kowloon to Sha- tin to improve communication between Hong. kong and the New Territory. The Government do not contemplate at present any more works, but will allow time to lapse so as to see what works are necessary for further development.
The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I think when the Secretary of State was advised on the matter the actual on expenditure in the New Terri- tory was not fully known to him—such as the. amount for policing, which was afterwards amended.
New Territory is certainly in excess of what The CHAIRMAN-The expenditure in the was at first anticipated.
of State known that he might have given
The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-Had the Secretary different decision.
The CHAIRMAN-I should not like to say whathe would have done.
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agreed to.
No other point was raised and the item was
in Deep Water, Taipo, $5,000" were agreed to The items "Taipo Road $30.000" and "Pier
without comment.
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SURVEY OF NEW TERRITORY. The next item was tory $20,000."
Survey of New Terri- The Hon. T. H, WHITEHEAD-Have any g The CHAIRMAN—The honourable the Direc-arrangements for the survey been made ? tor of Public Works will explain.
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is the balance of au old vote taken some years The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-This go and which will be expended in putting up a new block of cells very urgently needed in the Gaol premises and covering over the exeroise yard. It is really the completion of a scheme which has been going on for four or five years. It is not a new work. It is a re-vote of a balance.
The Hon. Dr. Ho Kai-Is the extension in the old Gaol side ?
The CHAIRMAN-Yes; complete arrange- arrived from India and its members are now ment have been made. The survey party has actually at work. Any more particulars which bonourable members may desire the Director of " Public Works will be glad to supply on applica tion to him at his office.
The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-Are the whole staff here P
The CHAIRMAN-Practically the whole staff The Hon. T. H. WHTEHEAD-How long The Director OF PUBLIC WORKS-In the may they take to complete their survey? Is it
old Gaol side.
The item was agreed to.
The following items were agreed to without Drainage Works, Miscellaneous, $10,000. comment:-Sewerage of Victoria, $5,000;
QUARTERS FOR GAOL STAFF. The next item was "Quarters for Gaol Staff $41,500."
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-May I ask whether the plans have been approved of ?
Yes. This is a work also which has beea de- The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WCBKS- layed a little owing to the great difficulties as to the site. It is a work actually going on at Street. This is a re-vote of money which we present between the Magistracy and Wyndham have not been able to expend this year. The plans were passed I should think I am right in saying about 12 months ago,
The CHAIRMAN Then they have been ap- proved?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WOBX8—Yes, The item was agreed to.
The item “Swine Depot, Kennedytown, $5,000,” was agreed to without comment.
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a question of two years ?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-My estimate is two years. The gentleman who is at the head of the surveying party is not able to: |; form an opinion as yet, but he has no doubt it will take more than one year. He has not.soon all the country yet.
The CHAIRMAN—As I have stated, if any more information is desired as to this interesting work of survey, the Director of Public Works tion at his office, where all the papers are. ** will be glad to give all information on äpplica.
The item was agreed to,
The following items, amounting in the aggre- Bosqunt, were agreed to without comment:— gale to $78,000, and chargeable to water Taitam Waterworks Extension, $15,000; City of Victoria and Hill District Waterworks $27,000; Water Supply, Kowloon. $20,000 Water Account, (Meters, &a.), $5,000, Water- works, Miscellaneous, $6,000,
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AN EXPLANATION FROM THE COLONIAL(S
#TREASURER.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, we have now been through all the Estimates and we haves considered them item,by item, and every item is re- commended and will be brought up to-morrow in the Council; but before we break up
the once was made at the early part of the me -ing to-day there is one subject to which refer.
-the statement of assets and liabilition. be glad if the Uolonial Treasurer will
THE NEW POLICE STATIONS IN
THE NEW TERRITORY.- The following were the items referring to the now Police Stations for the New Territory Police Station, Sai-kung, $5,000; Police Station; Shan-tin, $5,000; Police Station, Tsun Wan, $5,000; Police Station, Starling Inlet; $5,000.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.