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DIRECT TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HONGKONG AND SINGAPORE.--The Acting Colonial Secretary read the following report of the Finance Committee on this subject:-
The Committee, having read and duly considered the recent despatch of the Secretary of State regarding direct telegraphic cominunication between Hongkong and Singapore, are unanimously of opinion that, having regard to the demands now made on the resources of the Colony for defences and extraordinary public works, the Colony is not in a position, at present, to contribute to the subsidy required for the cable between the two Colonies. STEAM LAUNCH WHISTLES.-The Honourable P. RYRIE laid on the table the following Petition, addressed to the Council, and moved that the same be read:-
HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,-We, the undersigned, residents of Hongkong, beg most respectfully to bring to your notice, the great and increasing nuisance, caused by unnecessary steam launch whistling in this harbour, as embodied in the following facts:-
The Ferry Launches which ply to and fro between Victoria, Aberdeen, Yaumáti, &c., and rendezvous along the Praya, habitually keep their whistles going when moored alongside the Praya wall.
This noise constitutes a nuisance of the gravest possible description to all persons who live near, whether on the Praya or upper levels, on board vessels in the vicinity, or who have to transact business in their neighbourhood.
The nuisance is indirectly the cause of the continuous screaming which goes on in other parts of the harbour, when launches are in motion, for the simple reason, that the boating population are so accustomed to the abuse of steam-whistles generally, that no heed is paid to their warning, when put to their only legitimate use as danger signals.
Complaints have been laid before the Police and the Magistracy but we are informed that according to the present law bearing upon the subject, the matter is one that must be proved to be a public nuisance by several householders who must combine to prosecute, and this cumbrous form practically tends to encourage the evil, by permitting it to develop and flourish unchecked.
We therefore humbly beg, that a short Ordinance may be passed, giving the Police the necessary powers to deal summarily with offences of this nature, as public nuisance, by the imposition of fines, and/or the cancelling of licence.
Section
We venture to think that an amendment of Ordinance 10 of 1872, or 8 of 1879, 7, Sub-Section 4 would suffice.
Hongkong, 24th March, 1886.
[Here follow the signatures.]
The Honourable W. KESWICK seconded the motion, and addressed the Council.
Petition read.
DEFENCES. ADDITIONAL VOTE OF £60,375.--The Acting Colonial Secretary moved the adoption of the following recommendations of the Finance Committee in connection with this vote:-
The Committee unanimously recommend the payment of the additional sum of £60,375, now asked for; but they do so on the distinct understanding that this vote shall be final for the military and defensive purposes of the Colony.
To pay this sum and complete the essential public works in progress, the Colony must borrow; and the result will be that interest and the provision of a sinking fund will so cripple the resources of the Colony that urgently needed sanitary works must, for the present, be left in abeyance. The Colony being merely a depôt, without natural products, is unable to. increase its revenue to any appreciable extent, and it will be impossible for any further con- tribution to be made for military purposes.
The Honourable W. KESWICK seconded, and addressed the Council.
The Honourable P. RYRIE addressed the Council.
His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government also addressed the Council. Question-put and passed.
PROPOSED LOAN.-MEANS FOR REPAYING.-In connection with the above resolution, the Acting Colonial Secretary moved further that the following recommendation of the Finance Committee be adopted as a resolution of this Council :---
The Committee next proceeded to the consideration of the means to be devised for. meeting the interest and the sinking fund in connection with the Loan which must be raised. The Committee unanimously consider that the best means of doing so would chiefly be by an increase of Stamp Duty.
The Honourable W. KESWICK seconded.
Question-put and passed,