VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG.
No. 19 OF 1873.
WEDNESDAY, 24TH SEPTEMBER, 1873.
PRESENT:
His Excellency Governor SIR ARTHUR EDWARD KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B. The Honorable the Chief Justice (JOHN SMALE).
The Honorable the Acting Colonial Secretary (CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH). The Honorable the Attorney General (JULIAN PAUCEFOTE).
The Honorable the Acting Treasurer (CHARLES MAY).
The Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE.
The Honorable RICHARD ROWETT.
The Honorable WILLIAM HASTINGS ALEXANDER.
The Honorable JAMES WHITTALL.
ABSENT:
The Honorable HENRY JOHN BALL, - absent on leave.
The Council meets this day at 2.30 P.M., pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the Council held yesterday, are read and confirmed.
His excellency lays on the Table a Letter from Mr. MOORSOM, the late Surveyor General, of the 20th June 1870, accompanied by a Plan and Section of the proposed New Road from the Public Gardens to the Gap at Wongneichung, - the formation of which has been before the Council since the passing of the Annual Estimates for 1864, but which has been from time to time postponed. His Excellency submits also a Report from the present Surveyor General, Mr. PRICE, on this work, generally approving the Plans of his Predecessor.
These Documents are read, and His Excellency desires an expression of the opinions of Honorable Members as to the expediency of commencing the Road, - remarking at the same time that the work cannot be undertaken without the sanction of the Secretary of State being previously obtained. His Excellency considers that this Road would be a great public improvement, in consequence of the lower one being impassable for Horses and Carriages from the general traffic that is carried across it at every hour of the day. However, His Excellency desires to leave the matter in the hands of the Member of Council, and to be guided by their opinions. The Estimate submitted by Mr. MOORSOM in 1870, just read, contemplates an Expenditure of $50,000.
His Excellency further states, that the undertaking of this Road will not interfere with the more important works; namely :- improving the Water Supply, and the erection of Light-houses, already sanctioned by the Council.
Debate ensues –
It is then moved by the Honorable the Acting Treasurer, and seconded by the Honorable the Chief Justice, that it is advisable to take the necessary steps for making the proposed Road. Question put.
Council divides.
Ayes (7). Noes (2).
Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. WHITTALL.
Mr. ROWETT. Mr. RYRIE.
THE ACTING TREASURER.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
THE GOVERNOR.
Motion carried.
His Excellency lays on the Table the Bill for the Re-constitution of the Supreme Court, the Civil Procedure Bill, and the Bill for the abolition of the Summary Jurisdiction Court, as amended by the Special Committee and submitted yesterday by the Honorable the Chief Justice.
The Council resolves itself into committee upon the Clauses of the Bill to amend the Constitution of the Supreme Court.
The Honorable the Attorney General explains the provisions of the Bill. The Bill having gone through committee, is reported with certain verbal amendments, and agreed to.
The Council goes into Committee upon the Clauses of the Civil Procedure Bill, which are explained by the Honorable the Attorney General, and discussed to Section 47 inclusive. His Excellency adjourns the Council at 5 o'clock till to-morrow at 2.30 P.M.
A. E. KENNEDY,
Governor.
Read and confirmed, this 25th Day of September, 1873.
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.