QUESTION.-Mr. DICKSON, pursuant to notice, asked the following question
Is it a fact that the houses which hare recently collapsed were built in accordance with the Building Ordinances in force in this Colony and were su certified by the Director of Public Works?
The Director of Public Works replied.
QUESTION. Mr. PLAYFAIR, pursuant to notice, asked the following question
As, in the Colonial Secretary's reply to my question at the last meeting of Council, he admitted that there were no regulations on the subject of holding enquiries into collapses of houses, and as section 6 of Ordinance 17 of 1888 only permits the Magistrate to inquire into cause of death and does not compel him to do so, I beg now to ask if the Government will either introduce a separate Ordinance dealing with the whole question or add further sub- sections to clause 228 of the new Public Health and Building Ordinance making such enquiries compulsory, to be held immediately after the occurrence and giving authority for really heavy fines, and not nominal ones, to be inflicted on all concerned.
The Colonial Secretary replied.
QUESTION. Mr. PLAYFAIR, pursuant to notice, asked the following question :-
To ask the Director of Public Works—
(1.) Why the Water Accounts for January, February and March were not sent out till
25th of September?
(2.) With whom does the responsibility for the delay rest?
(3.) Is want of a sufficient staff the reason?
(4.) Will an assurance be given that such delays will not be permitted in future?
The Director of Public Works replied.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.-His Excellency the Governor aunounced to the Council the appointment of the following Committees, under the Standing Orders :-
Finance Committee :-All the Members of the Legislative Council except the President,
Honourable the Colonial Secretary being Chairman.
the
Law Committee:-The Honourable the Attorney General (Chairman), the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, the Honourable Dr. Ho KAI, the Honourable
C. S. SHARP, and the Honourable G. W. F. PLAYFAIR.
Public Works Committee:-The Honourable the Director of Public Works (Chairman), the Honourable R. SHEWAN, the Honourable C. W. DICKSON, and the Honourable WEI YUK.
TRAMWAY AMENDMENT BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Tramway Ordinance, No. 10 of 1902.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
CHINESE EMIGRATION AMENDMENT BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance, 1889.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
DOGS AMENDMENT BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitied An Ordinance to amend The Dogs Ordinance, 1893.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
LAND REGISTRATION (FEES) AMENDMENT BILL. The Attorney General moved the first read- ing of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to repeal The Land Registry Office (Fees) Amendment Ordinance
:
1902 and to amend Ordinance No. 3 of 1844 entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the Registration of Deeds Wills Judgments and Conveyances affecting real or immovable property in Hongkong."
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.