for
494
was
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
1908 and showing an aggregate saving of some 108 per cent per lineal feet in the cost for 1908 over that of 1907. The report went on to state that the difficulties encountered in the tunnel in 1908 were greater than in 1907 and that this accounted the estimates. the large increase over I failed to get a proper explanation of this apparent contradiction, but the Chief Engineer now explains it by a reference to his previous report for 1907, which I had overlooked at the moment, in which it is explained that the so- called cost per lineal foot in 1907 included the expenditure upon the metric gauge construction lines laid down at both facings of the tuuncl, the erection of machinery, the accumulation of timber and other materials at the site, and many other similar items. In order to make a reliable comparison of one year with another, these items should be stretched over the period of the whole construction. As a matter of fact, the cost of the tunnel was considerably more per lineal foot in 1908 than it was in 1907. It is due to the engineers, who were employed in the early days on the tunnel, that this fact should be thoroughly understood. They worked under very great difficulties with an inadequate staff, with insufficient plant, and with great deal of sickness. When I was speaking of the financial aspect of the tunnel con- straction, nothing
further from my mind than to throw any blame upon them, or undervalue their services. Perhaps few men have more reason than myself. from personal! experience, to appreciate the difficulties and dis couragements of early pioneer work. Those who come after, however generous, will find it often impossible to appreciate the difficulties which those who have laid the foundations have had to face (applause). If this impression, as I understand from what I have seen in the local press, has been conveyed by words which I used, I desire most emphatically to remove it. I do not propose to review again the railway question, but I would like to emphasize our point which I have already emphasized every time I have spoken upon this subject, and that is that the so-called Bruce's estimate" cannot be considered as an estimate of the cost of the construction of the railway. When Mr. Fruce made his preliminary survey. the question was under discussion as to whether the railway should follow a route along the eastern or the western side of the peninsula, It was issues of this kind
which his advice
His figures did sought. not purport to be a considered estimate of the cost. There were no calculations of quantities and the length of the tunnel was estimated upon the map with a pair of dividers. They purposely ommitted a large number of items, such as station buildings and machinery, workshops, roads, boundaries, ballast, and items under plant, including rolling stock and salaries. The re-alignment which has been made after a careful survey of the original line proposed by him, has resulted in a large saving over the cost which would have been invol- ved by following Mr. Bruce's rough line. The first reliable estimate that we had of the cost of the railway was the one which was made in June 1907. It took nine months to prepare. It amounted to a little over eight million dollars. It did not include, as I have repeatedly pointed ont, several items which were under discussion at the time it was presented. If these items be added and also the cost of land resumption in the neighbourhood of the deep sea goods' wharf, and the passenger station it willbe found that tho estimate presented in June 1907 has not been exceeded except in the single item of the tunnel. In my recent statement to the Council I criti- cised the variations under different heads between the estimates, presented this year nd athose laid on the table last year and said that though these variations were un- satisfactory, the method of preparing esti. mates did not reflect upon the skill of the British engineer. The salient fact remains that however the sums might have been allo. cated under various heads, and whether inter- mediate estimates presented to the Council have been satisfactory or have been faulty, the ori- ginal estimate for which the Crown Agents aro responsible have only been exceeded in one item -that of the tunnel, the excess on which is one million and a quarter dollars. I am, of course. speaking of the estimates which were laid on the table the other day. So far as these
Was
upon
!
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purposes
and
It
estimates are concerned the only excess when all the items are included, on the original estimate of June 1907, is in respect of the tunnel.
HON. MR. STEWART-Your Excellency, I should just like to say I have listened to your I hope remarks with considerable satisfaction. that they will effectually destroy the idea that this Colony is being called upon to pay for the railway a price nearly twice as large as it ought, As Your Excellency has indicated, this erroneous impression arose from comparing the prelimin ary with the detailed estimate, as if they were It different estimates for an identical work. has already been pointed out by those who sought te combat this erroneous notion that the preli- minary estimate was for a single line throughout, whereas the actual construction provides for development into a double line on all bridges, culverts and tunnels, except Beacon Hill. has further been pointed out that the preli- minary estimates did not provide for land reclamation
land resumption at the In connection with the cost of land | terminus. reclamation and resumption it should not be
to include it in forgotten that
the rail- way estimates renders these misleading for other rail- of comparison with ways, in the matter of the average mileage cost of construction. A very misleading im- pression is created by simply taking the total of the revised estimate and dividing it by the number of miles between Kowloon and Samchun. The product is startling, but if to the original 22 miles were to be added the many miles of sidings which will be provided at the terminus, a much better result would appear. Even so however, justice would not yet be done. If the whole cost of reclamation is to be debited to the railway, some thought should be taken of the value of the land reclaimed, some of which will be used for other than strictly rail- way purposes-for godowns, and other require. ments of the l'ort scheme. Hereafter that land should prove a valuable asset to the Colony. Considerations of this nature ought not to be overlooked, in viewing the matter broadly. I urge the desirability of viewing it broadly. Viewing it narrowly, in the light of post hoc wisdom, while it may be easy for some people to point to mistakes made and faults committed; while it may perhaps not be, difficult to see how minor economies could have been effected, there does not seem to be any good reason for rushing to the conclusion that the cost is
in view excessive
of the work done. That an impression based upon this conclusion is widely held I know. I do not share it. I regret it. It is an unfortunate impression to got abroad. Therefore, as correcting some of the minor errors which make up the total sum. I welcome Your Excellency's statement.. (applause).
PUBLIC SERVICE TRANSFER OF DUTIES
ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entered An Ordinance to transfer to certain Officers of the Public Service certain duties at present performed by other Officers.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY SOConded, and the bill was read a first time.
PATENTS AMENDMENT ORDINANCE,
The ATTORNEY-GENE AL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to
amend the Putents Ordinance 1892.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and tho bill was read a first time.
PREPARED OPIUM AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Prepared Opium Ordinance 1891.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded and the bill was read a first time.
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION
ORDINANCE.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-In view of the certificate I laid in connection with the Finance Committee, it is unnecessary, unless any hon. member wishes it, to refer the bill standing in my name to a committee of the whole Council, therefore I beg to move the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the
ppropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Five hundred and twelve thousand two hundred Dollars and thirty-four Cents to defray the Charges of the Year 1908.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the bill was read a third time and passed.
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[June 12, 1909.
THE TRAMWAY BILL. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-The next item. standing in my name is really a private bill introduced some years ago by an hon. member who is no longer a member of this Council. The question is whether any other member proposes to go on with the bill.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-I beg to move that further consideration of this bill be postponed until the interested parties have had further time to consider their position.
Hon. Mr. STEWART seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Council stands adjourned. until this day week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding. The following votes were passed :—-
PUBLIC WORKS RECUR LENT.
The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of Three thousand seven hundred Dollars ($3,700) in aid of the vote; Public Works Recurrent, Miscellaneous, Typhoon and Rain- storm Damages.
was
The CHAIRMAN-The original estimate for typhoon and rainstorm damages in 1908 was
in 1968 The money
spent $79,000. $61.000, leaving a balance of $18,000. There was only 12,000 voted on this year's estimates; the balance therefore shows a slight reduction on the original estimates.
MILITARY EXPENDITURE, The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Five hundred Dollars ($500) in aid of the vote Military Expenditure, Volun- teers, Other Charges, Graut to the Hongkong Volunteer Reserve Association for salary of Secretary during 1908.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Six hundred and fifty Dollars ($650) in aid of the vote, ...edical Departments, -Hospitals and sylums, Other Charges, for the following items:-
B.-
$300
Civil Hospital, Incidental Expenses, Victoria Hospital for Women and Children,
Medicines and Surgical Appliances,... 350
$650
Total,...
MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Five hundred Dollars ($500) in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services, Fee to Crown Solicitor for compilation of existing Regulations and Orders in Council.
The CHAIRMAN-This work was undertaken
by the Crown Solicitor, and the sum mentioned is the remuneration for his services.
PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY. The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Nineteen thousand nine hundred and seventeen Dollars ($19,917) in aid of the vote, Public Works, Extraordinary, Water Works, Albany Filter Beds, Reconstruction and Extension.
The CHAIRMAN-Of this excess on the estim. ate for this work, $6,000 is due to providing against rainstorin damage which Was brought home to the authorities by the severe typhoon and rainstorm of 1908. The remain- ing $13,000 is caused by under-estimation of the work. The work is now approaching completion.
The N-C. Daily News is informed that the meatpacking establishment at Hankow, which is exporting frozen pork to England in the P. & O. 8.8. Palermo, is entirely controlled by the firm which manages the cold storage of Manchester. The utmost care is being taken in the in- spection of all pigs before they are slaughtered for export.
Arcadio Arellano, member of the Manila municipal board, has introduced a motion calling upou the municipal board to take steps to fix the price of meat in the public markets in the same way as the prices of other commodities, such as light, water and transportation on street cars, are regulated. Sr. Arellano, in introducing his motion, explained that he has been informed that the price of meat in the markets had been raised 25 per cent. as a result of the determination of certain cattle importers and dealers to make a corner in cattle imported on the hoof.
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