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command in the police force
be
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
to date is :atisfactory. The main tunnel is not as far forward as the consulting engineer | had estimated it would be, but of course in deal in with a tunnel you are really working in the dark; you don't know what difficulties you will meet with, and the tapnel has proved an extremely difficult on so far. I am glad to be able to say that rroently the progress in the tunnel has improved very much, largely owing to the fact that the reck mat with is more amenable. At the same time I think it is right to state that the estimate on that particular item of the tunnel will largely exceed the original estimate. In fact, there is no cone-al- the fact that the estimate for the whole was originally railway is much larger than estimated for.
It is well to bear in mind in this connection that all European mem- bers of the Fire Brigade with the exception of two, are also members of the Pelic Fore. Under the regulations which will be framed by the | Governor-in-Council under this Bill when it becomes law, the two European members who are not members of the Police force will not be mad subject to the punishments which can inflicted by the Captain-Superintendent of Police, their ranks being such as to render it undesirable that punishment be inflicted upon them. The remainder of the Brigade are Chinese, and it is extremely desirable that the Superintendent should have power to punishing these Chinese firemen directly in the same way as he punishes Chinese constables in the Police foroe.
The COLONIAL E ASURER seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
The COLONIAL SECRETAKY then moved that the Council resolve itself into a committee of the whols Council to consider the Bill clause by clause.
Hon. Mr. KESWICK-Can y u tell us what the original estimate for the railway was?
The COLONIL SECRETARY-The original estimate was £570,001,
Hap. Mr. KESWICK-And at the end of this year we shall have expended $7,164,441, and the railway will not be tuilt. There has been a
The COLONIL TREASURER seconded, and saving in regard to the work done on bridges. the motion was agreed to.
Hoo. Mr. BEWBTT-I believe I am right in On Council resuming, the COLONIAL SECREying tunnelling is a work of a special nature TARY reported that the Bill had passed through committee with a slight amendment.
His FXCELLENCY-Ceuucil atands adjourned antil this day fortnight.
F NANCE COMMITEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presid- ing. The following votes were passed :-
SANITARY DEPARTMENT.
The GOVERNOR recommended the Council to vote a sum of three thousand four hundred and thirty-three dollars $3,433) in aid of the vote. Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Compen- sation for infected cargo destroyed.
Hare they go a special engineer in charge of this work, or is it carried on by-
The CH IRMAN-The overgear of the work has had large experience in tunnels, and thera is a superintendent who has been in the habit of organising labour in tunnels.
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January 25, 1908.
that was lost in the mistake in regard to the original aligament?
The CHAIRMAN--I don't think it was more than $25,000. Of course this land will be We are negotiating at available for re-sale.
the present time for its sale.
Hon. Mr. H[KWETT-I understand it cannot be irrigated properly; at least a good deal of it, The CHAIRMAN-Under the new alignment we have got a shorter ronta and a batter route.
Hon. Mr. HewWETT-Which you might havG had got in the first place if a proper survey
been made.
Hon. Mr. KESWICK-The salaries seem to
have increase, and there is a large expenditure on quarters, office exp use, medical charges etc. The CHAIRMAN—Of course the sılaries increase as the work progress is We want more men in the tunnel the further we get in. The expenditur› in regard to the quirters is accounted for in this way. Shalin was found to be very malarious, and it was decided on medical advice that the Europe in staff quarters shoull be at a considerable boight above the level of the valley. That a cessitated a larger increase in expenditure.
Hon. Mr. O`ROEN – Might I ask where the money is coming from for this railway?
The CHAIRMAN-You may remember that in 1995 this Chauci pasued at Ordinance to authorise the (Fovernment to borrow a sum not to excs d £2, 0800 1, A fund for the railway will be bar oxed under the authority of the
Ho, Mr. HeWFTT -- I believe it was not go · vole nude that Ordinance.
Hon Mr ORB •® NE—A < to the interest ou originally.
that money
The CHAIRMAN - He came out about four or five months ago, but there is no question of the capwity of the engineer in dealing with tunnels.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-I did not question that It was a question of a man with special training,, Hon. Mr. POLLOCK - -Can we get an estimate of what we have got to pay for the building of the British section?
The CHAIRMAN-The estimate as it stands is $4,000.com exclusive practically of land. There are other items such BA construction and
engineering staff, a considerable expenditure for land preparation, station sites and buildings
The CHAIRMAN-This expenditure has been incurred in connection with a consignment of cattle in which anthrax had broken cut, and which were returned to Hongkong. It was necessary that certain cargo should be destroyed, and this compensation was assessed under the provisions of the law covering such matters, and it is now desired that the authority of the resumption. That is a particularly big item Council shall be given to pay it.
SQUATTERS' COMPENSATION.
The GOVERNOR recommended the Council to rote a sum of one thousand three bucdred and three dollars ($1,3′ 3) as compensation to certain squatters whose removal was necessitated by the sale of Kowloon Inland Lot 1203
The CHAIRMAN-This expenditure was in- ourred as compensation to certain squa'ters. The Government had promised them other siteg but they preferred to haro the bard cash Accordingly the Government has made this disbursement, and has got the land. I do not know who has made the best bargain, but i fancy the Government has in the long run.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY EXPENDITURE. The CHAIRMAN-I would invite members attention to the estimated expenditure paper dealing with the Kowloon-Canton Railway up to December 1908. In connection with that statement I would inform members that the headings of Nos. 3 and + columns are not quite as clear as they might be. The heading of No. 3 column reads "estimated total expenditure for 1907." The intention of the draughtsman "for" should mean to the was that the word end of ". It really should be to the end of 1×6. The expenditure for 19 16 is included in that for 1907. The same explanation applies to the next column. If any member wis es for any it. formation concerning the items appearing under the separate heads I will be glad to give it.
Hon. Mr. KESWICK-I wish for soun“ in- formation. Does the work actually come up to the expenditure? We are asked to vote the large, sum of $4,250,000, and I am not at all satisfied that we are getting full value for our money as things are going. Before voting on this proposed provision I should like to be sati-fi-d that the work is getting on well, an that the estimates are as correct as can be, otherwise at the end of 1908 we shall have another vote, and be called, upon again to make up deficiencies abore the estimate,
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The CHAIRMAN-In answer to the first part of what the hon. gentleman said I would like to! say that on the whole the progress of the work
such as the terminus station.
កត. Mr. P. LLOCK-Land includes lind
I think we should have some information about that.
The CH IRMAN-I am unable to place you in possession of the facts. Since the original estimate was formed a larger view of the interests has been taken, and the Government has receul ly acquired by resumption Blackhead's property near Blackhead's Piat. That, of course, means a rury considerable sum of money.
H. Mr. PoLLOCK How much? The CHAPMAN-The formalities are
I would rather not mention actually e u dudled, the figure.
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The CHAIRMAN You will flud it in the estimates in the current year.
Hon Mr OSBORNɛ-Is the interest charge. able to general ravenne?
The CHAIRMAN-It is sc chargeable, Hon. Mr. Keswick - Chen we find our-elves liable for £1.9 0.001 sterling for a line 22 miles long, that seams to ma su exceedingly large 812 M I understand the country is difficult and the fans will be ex vedingly expensive, but
still sms to me that sime economies might he mal in the supervision of the work. A million seemsan extraordinary sun for 22 miles of railway.
The CHAIRMAN-I am not an enginer, but this has been pronounced one of the most dificult pieces of railway work in China.
Hon. Mr. HawKTT-OC the railways already constructed that may be.
The CHAIRMAN –Taking it on the whole it is as difficult a bit of railway as you will fad anywhere. I think I may say every economy has ben obs rval, and the railway is being built a cheaply as possible. Of course you know where the terminas is going to be and there is a large reclamation required, and that add、 to the expense.
Hon. Mr. HEWITT – What is the original time in which this railway was to be completed ? The CHAIRMAN -The engineer in charge hopes to figish about the middle of 1919.
Hon. Mr. Hewett -Was that the original estimate? I understood Sir Matthew Nathan said it would be completed in three years.
astimile WAS The CHAIRMAN—His list
Hon. Mr. KESWICK - Might I refer you to the heading "bridge work. Presumably labour is not cheaper than it has been. Of the estimated three there was only expended two and a half lach in 1907. The money has all gone and we
I don't have not got the bridges. understand how
the money has entirely | March 1910. disappeared even allowing for the increased I think it a mat expenditure on the tonnel unsatisfactor, state of affairs
The COLONI 1. PREASURER-It has not dis appeared It is in the columns.
Hon. Mr. Pollock You bare under-estim. ated in c rtain directi ns, and starved other work.
The CHAIL MAN The explanation for the small expenditur« during 19017 oa mi 1or bridges was simply tl.i< there was a change in the alignment neces-itating a resurvey, and a con- siderable portion of the line work was not pat as far forward as it had been autcipated.
Hon. Mr Hawktr - In regard to the change of alignment I understand that a considerable Is all amount of paddy land was destroyed that loss included in the sum ?
The CHAIRMAN-The expenditure on the on the land that has ben embankment, or abandon-d?
Hon. Mr. HRWRT: Was the land part for* The CHAIRMAN-Yes, the land has been paid for.
Hn Mr. Hew&rr-Might it be told the Council how much was the amount of money
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Hon Mr. Hawer · -I‹ there any reasonable ground for saying it will bɩ than completed.
The CHAIRMAN It is extremely difficult to say when you are dealing with tunnels. is not only one tunael; there is more than 0 18 tannel. The question as to how long it takes s tangel is one that no man coald to build reliably prophesy. I think myself we will certainly see the railway completed three yeaTE I think it will be done by that from date, time, and I think it wil be completed as soon as the Chinese motion. Armimbar prepared to recommend this vote?
Hon
one
Mr. [LWETT I certainly for not The amount is a large sum of am money, and I think we should have more time to consider it I am certainly not prepared to vol for such a large expenditure oɔ such short
whether I don't kow
the other notion,
I have not unofficial memb-es will support me. spoken to them about it
Il a Me K swick —I think we should have further details sa to the work seta illy completed before voting in favour of rush a larg› sam. I think we ought to bi told what we barə savually got for our money.
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