VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISALTIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 9 OF 1876.
THURSDAY, 16TH NOVEMBER, 1876.
PRESENT :
His Excellency Governor SIR ARTHUR EDWARD KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary (JOHN GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.). The Honourable the Acting Attorney General (JAMES RUSSELL).
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., by Special Summons.
The Minutes of the Meeting of the Legislative Council held on 21st September, 1876, are read and confirmed.
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 1875 is read a second time, committed and passed, bearing the Title of - "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of Legislative Council thereof, the authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum not exceeding Fifty-five thousand Dollars, to defray the Charges of the Year 1875," - being "No. 6 of 1876."
The Appropriation Bill for 1877 is read a second time.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary brings up the following Report of the Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council (to which the name of the Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK had, since the last Meeting of Council, been added) appointed to examine the Estimates for 1877.
"Your Committee have carefully considered the Estimates for the Year 1877, and have but few remarks to make, as they are generally in close accord with those of 1876.
"Attention is drawn to the vote of $25,000 for the New Civil Hospital. It has been found that the necessity for the erection of a new building can be dispensed with by the conversion of the present Lock Hospital into a Civil Hospital.
"The difference in the cost of the two schemes is as follows : -
Erection of a New Building, ....................................... $100,000
Conversion of Lock Hospital, ..................................... 40,000
Difference, ................. $60,000
"The vote of $25,000 is for part payment of the latter scheme.
"Your Committee recommend the adoption of this scheme, which has been suggested by the Surveyor General, if practicable on other grounds. "It is strongly recommended, that a sum of $1,500 be added to the vote for Roads and Streets Contingencies, with a view to the prolongation of Kennedy Road, from its present terminus to the Wanchai Gap.
"It is suggested that, as the work of erecting a new Central School is
likely to be prolonged over one year, a portion only of the $50,000 required for the completion of the work, say $30,000, be voted for the ensuing year." (Signed,) "J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.
( " ) "C. MAY.
( " ) "P. RYRIE.
( " ) "H. LOWCOCK.
( " ) "W. KESWICK
"I beg to append a note to the within Report to the effect that I think the estimate of the Fire Brigade expenses should be increased by a sum sufficient to cover the salary of a duly qualified Engineer to be constantly attending to the steam-engines. At nearly every fire that has taken place, either one or both of these engines have been ineffective for a portion of the time, and I attribute this to the fact of their not having an Engineer in constant attendance upon them. A thoroughly efficient Engineer can be engaged in England for about £5 a week and quarters. A considerable portion of this expense would probably be saved in repairs, as small defects would be detected and remedied at once; as it is now, they are not likely to be detected until serious mischief to the engine of boilers has taken place."
(Signed,) "P. RYIRE."
"14 November, 1876."
The Council then goes into Committee on the Bill.
The changes recommended in the Report of the Sub-Committee are agreed to. At the instance of the Colonial Secretary, a sum of $120 is struck off from the vote for the Colonial Secretary's establishment.
Upon taking the vote for the Fire Brigade, it is moved by the Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE, and seconded by the Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK, that an additional sum of $1,000 be added to the vote with a view to obtaining the services of an engineer to be permanently in charge of the Fire Engines.
Discussion follows, and finally the motion is carried, subject to any subsequent conclusion that may be arrived at, consequent upon an enquiry which His Excellency intimates that it is his intention to institute into the state of the Fire Brigade.
The Bill is then committed without further alteration and is passed, bearing the Title of - "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to apply a Sum not exceeding Eight hundred and Eight thousand Two hundred Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1887," - being "No. 7 of 1876."
His Excellency moves the moves the second reading of the Companies Amendment Ordinance.
The Chief Justice opposes the motion.
Debates ensues.
Finally the Bill is withdrawn.
The following Bills are read a first time : -
A Bill to consolidate and amend the Ordinances relating to Deportation, Conditional Pardons, the Branding and Punishment of certain Criminals, and the Ordinance No. 9 of 1857, entitled "An Amended Ordinance
for better securing the Peace of the Colony."
A Bill to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Public Gambling. A Bill to amend the Law relating to Piracy.
A Bill to amend the Law relating to the Postal Matters of the Colony. His Excellency adjourns the Council until Monday, the 27 instant, at 2.30 P.M. A. E. KENNEDY,
Governor.
Read and confirmed, this 11th Day of December, 1876.
H. E. WODEHOUSE,
Clerk of Councils.