VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 3 OF 1876.
MONDAY, 6TH MARCH, 1876.
PRESENT:
His Excellency Governor SIR ARTHUR EDWARD KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B. The Honourable the Chief Justice (SIR JOHN SMALE).
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary (JOHN GARDINER AUSTIN). The Honourable the Attorney General (JOHN BRAMSTION).
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Treasurer (CHARLES MAY).
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE.
The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK.
The Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK.
The Council meets this day at 2 P.M., pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting of Council held on Monday, the 28th February, are read and confirmed.
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE then asks the following question, of which due notice had been given:
"What steps have been taken to carry out the suggestion made some time ago "by the Non-Official Members to the effect that the trees on the Island should "be placed under the charge of the Surveyor General? "
In reply, His Excellency states that the question of the protection of the trees had for some time been engaging his attention; the matter was beset with difficulties, and with a view to devising some efficacious means of protection, the Attorney General, the Surveyor General, and the Deputy Superintendent of Police had held a consultation, the result of which was embodied in a memorandum by the Attorney General, which His Excellency reads, and the measures suggested in which His Excellency states were under consideration. It was hoped that by a stringent application of the Ordinances already in force, and by the appointment of European Rangers in place of Chinese, the protection of the trees might be effected without having recourse to additional legislation.
The following Bills are read a first time:─
A Bill to amend the Law relating to Chinese Passenger Ships, and the conveyance of Chinese Emigrants.
A Bill for divesting the Registrar General of his Judicial Functions.
The Council then resolves itself into Committee, and proceeds to the consideration of the Companies' Ordinance Amendment Bill.
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE, seconded by the Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK, moves that the Bill be not further proceeded with.
For the motion (5). Against (3).
Mr. RYRIE, proposer.
Mr. LOWCOCK, seconder.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER. The CHIEF JUSTICE.
The GOVERNOR.
Mr. KESWICK.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL. The COLONIAL SECRETARY.
The motion is accordingly carried, and the Bill thrown out.
The Colonial Secretary reports that at a meeting of the Finance Committee, held on the 1st February, 1876, the following votes were passed:─
PAYMENTS AUTHORISED IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES OF 1875, REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.
Governor's Department.
Allowance to H. E. The Governor for lighting Government House, for
Chair Coolies, &c., £300 per annum, ........................................... Additional Salary to the Officer acting as Private Secretary and A.D.C., £50 per annum, ............................................................... Allowance to Private Secretary for Chair Coolies, £60 per annum, .....
Surveyor General's Department.
$ 1,440.00
240.00
288.00
$ 1,968.00
Additional Salary to Chinese Tracer, at $10 per month, ...................... $10.00 Works and Buildings.
Building Ramps, and Iron Railings at Victoria Gaol, ........................... Planting Trees, ......................................................................................
Charitable Allowances.
Blankets supplied to the Italian Convent, and the Asile de la Ste.
$950.00
200.00
$ 1,150.00
Enfance, ............................................................................................. $192.80
PAYMENTS AUTHORISED IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES OF 1876, REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.
Governor's Department.
Allowance to H. E. The Governor for lighting Government House, for
Chair Coolies, &c., £300 per annum, ........................................... Additional Salary to the Officer acting as Private Secretary and A.D.C., £50 per annum, ............................................................... Allowance to Private Secretary for Chair Coolies, £60 per annum, .....
Colonial Treasurer's Department.
$ 1,440.00
240.00
288.00
$ 1,968.00
Increase of Salary to 1st Clerk, at $20 per month, ................................ $ 240.00
Surveyor General's Department.
Additional Salary to Chinese Tracer, at $10 per month, ...................... $ 120.00
Gaol Department.
Increase of pay to Warden (GREY), at $20 per month, ......................... Increase of pay to a Gaol Guard (PETER MURPHEY), $4 per month, ....
$ 240.00 48.00
$288.00 Fire Brigade Department.
Salary to European Fireman at Aberdeen, at $41/2 per month, ............. Salaries to 2 Chinese Firemen at Aberdeen, at $11/2 each per month, .
$ 54.00 36.00
$90.00
Charitable Allowances.
Grant for the erection of New School House (BAXTER), in Gap Street, Tai-ping-shan, .................................................................................. $ 515.00
Works and Buildings.
Erection of 2 Public Latrines at Aberdeen, .......................................... $ 800.00
Roads, Streets and Bridges.
Path along the line of the proposed new Road, (defining Military Boundaries), .................................................................................... $ 2,500.00
Miscellaneous Services.
Grant awarded to certain Gentlemen for their gallant conduct during the Typhoon of September, 1874, ................................................... $ 250.00
His Excellency adjourns the Council at 3.15 P.M., sine die.
A. E. KENNEDY,
Governor.
Read and confirmed, this 27th Day of March, 1876.
H. ERNEST WODEHOUSE,
Clerk of Councils.