10
applicable to the extraordinary works already commenced, for the completion of which during 1888, the following sums will be required
Tytam Water Works about,
Victoria College,.
Police Buildings,
Military Defences,
$12,000
55,000
70,000
.170,000
$307,000
Nothing, it will be observed, has been set down for Sanitary Works during 1888. Means must be devised, when the Estimates for that year are prepared, for providing funds for this important object.
5. Amongst the measures to which I have referred in para. 2 is a Bill dealing with the Triad and other Secret Societies, as also another regulating the carrying and possession of arms, both which have already been drafted and submitted to the Colonial Office. These Bills were recommended by a Commission which I appointed some time ago to inquire into representations made to me by the Captain Superintendent of Police and also by the Superintendent of the Gaol, respecting the growing power of the Triad Society. The proceedings of this Commission were necessarily confidential, and it was only on this understanding that much of the evidence was obtained. The Secretary of State has already approved of the proposal to pass a new Bill dealing with Triads.
6. Another important measure which will be introduced early in the Session is a Bill for the prevention of abuses connected with the so-called adoption of female children, and domestic service by female children. The necessity of some legislation on the subject has been long recognized, and is shewn by the fact that at the present moment there are nearly 200 girls of tender age who are being taken care of under the direction of the Registrar General, assisted by the Po Léung Kuk, and who, but for that care, would probably be consigned sooner or later to a life of infamy. The powers which the Registrar General possesses are however considered inadequate for the purpose in view. Difficulties of a legal and constitutional nature have hitherto prevented the introduction of the Bill. But these difficulties have been now overcome, and it only remains for the Legislature to deal with the Bill, the principle of which has been approved by the Secretary of State.
7. The Secretary of State has also expressed his approval of a suggestion made by the Superin- tendent of the Gaol in his annual report, that prisoners who have earned a remission of sentence should be placed, as in England, under the supervision of the Police, so that if found returning to a criminal career they might at once be sent back to prison to complete their original sentences. A Bill giving effect to this recommendation will be laid before you.
8. A Commission appointed by me to report on representations made by the Superintendent on the overcrowded state of the Gaol has recommended the infliction of whipping for certain offences. I have no authority for introducing a change in the law of such importance, but a Bill embodying the recommendations of the Commission has been prepared and sent home for consideration by the Imperial Government.
9. I have also forwarded for the consideration of the Secretary of State a Bill which was read a first time last Session entitled the European Vagrancy Ordinance. This Bill proposes to deal with those Europeans who are frequently landed or discharged from vessels in this port and who are either. destitute or become so after a short period. As International questions are involved in this measure, it was withdrawn after the first reading, in order that it might be submitted for consideration by the Imperial Government before it was passed..
10. The Sanitary Board, which has been enlarged by the appointment of four additional Un-official Members, have had under their consideration for some time past the provisions of a Draft Public Health Bill which were included by the Surveyor General in a general Ordinance relating to Buildings, prepared by him a year ago. It has now been decided that it would be more convenient that the provisions originally proposed to be contained therein should be dealt with separately in two Bills, one confined to technical building matters only and the other relating to purely sanitary matters. I hope that both these Bills will be laid before the Council during the present Session.
11. Besides the Bills already referred to the following Draft Ordinances have been prepared by the Law Commission or by the Acting Attorney General, and are ready for consideration by the Council. 1. An Ordinance for enabling the Legislative Council and any Committee thereof to compel
the attendance of and to administer oaths to witnesses.
2. An Ordinance to enable the Governor of Hongkong to appoint Commissions under the Seal of the Colony and to confer certain powers on Commissioners so appointed necessary for conducting inquiries.
3. An Ordinance to amend the Laws relating to Wills.
4. An Ordinance to amend the Law respecting defamatory words and Libel.
5. An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Law of Evidence.
6. An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Laws relating to Jurors and Juries.
7. An Ordinance to consolidate the Laws relating to good order and cleanliness.
8. An Ordinance to promote the revision of the Statute Law.
9. An Ordinance to amend the Companies Ordinances 1865 to 1886.