VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG.
NO. 6 OF 1876.
SATUARDAY, 22ND APRIL, 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, C.M.G.). The Honourable the Attorney General (JOHN BRAMSTON).
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Treasurer (CHARLES MAY).
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE.
The Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK.
The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK.
The Council meets this day at 2.30 P.M., pursuant to adjournment. This Minutes of the last Meeting of Council are read and confirmed.
His Excellency moves for a vote of $10,700 for the conversion of a portion of Stone Cutters' Island Gaol into a Powder Magazine.
His Excellency explains that the present Floating Gunpowder Depôt, having been surveyed, is found to be no longer fit for the storage of powder, and it has become necessary to remove the powder elsewhere before the typhoon season comes on.
A Report is read from the Surveyor General showing that the cost of converting part of Stone Cutters' Island Gaol into a Powder Repository, and of running out of a wooden jetty into the harbour for the landing of the powder, will be $10,700.
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE begs to take the opportunity to mention an instance in which he had lately seen powder being taken along the Harbour from Stone Cutters' Island, in a common sampan, without any apparent precautions for its safety having been observed.
In reply, His Excellency informs the Honourable Member, that the matter will receive the closest attention, and that means will be taken to obviate its recurrence.
The vote is then passed nemine dissentiente.
Mr. NELSON, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The China Traders' Insurance Company, Limited, and Mr. RAY, Secretary, both of whom are in attendance pursuant to notice, are called and examined and cross-examined relative to the allegations set forth in the Preamble to the Bill to authorise the China Traders' Insurance Company, Limited, to subdivide its shares.
The Preamble is then considered, and certain alterations in it are made, after which, the Attorney General, seconded by the Chief Justice, moves “That the Preamble, as amended, stand part of the Bill.”
The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, seconded by the Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE, moves as an amendment ”That the Preamble has not been proved.”
Debate ensues.
The Council divides,—
For the Amendment (3). Against (5).
Mr. KESWICK. THE ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER. Mr. LOWCOCK. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Mr. RYRIE. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
THE GOVERNOR.
The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, seconded by the Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK, moves “That the Preamble be not adopted.”
Debates ensues.
The Council divides,—
For the Amendment (3). Against (5).
Mr. KESWICK. THE ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER. Mr. LOWCOCK. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Mr. RYRIE. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
THE GOVERNOR.
The original motion is then put and carried, and the Council proceeds to consider the clauses of the Bill.
Certain amendments and alterations are made, and finally the Bill is committed.
His Excellency moves “That the Bill be read a third time and passed.” Debate ensues.
The Council divides,—
For the Motion (5). Against (3).
THE ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER. Mr. KESWICK. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. Mr. LOWCOCK. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Mr. RYRIE. THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
THE GOVERNOR.
The Bill is then read a third time, and passed, bearing the Title of—An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to authorise “The China Traders' Insurance Company, Limited,” to subdivide its shares,—being “No. 4 of 1876.”
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE, on behalf of the Un-official Members of Council, gives notice of his intention to protest against the Ordinance.
The Bill to amend the law relating to Chinese Passenger Ships and the Conveyance of Chinese Emigrates, is read a second time, and the Council goes into committee upon the Clauses of the Bill.
On the motion of the Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, the further consideration of the Bill is postponed.
His Excellency the Governor adjourns the Council until Wednesday, the 26th April, at 2.30 P.M.
JOHN SMALE, Chief Justice, President.
Read and confirmed, this 26th Day of April, 1876.
H. ERNEST WODEHOUSE,
Clerk of Councils.