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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 2.
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FRIDAY, 17TH SEPTEMBER, 1886.
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PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G.,
Administering the Government in the absence of His Excellency SIR GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, G.C.M.G. His Honour the Chief Justice, (SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt.)
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (FREDERICK STEWART.)
,, the Acting Attorney General, (EDWARD JAMES ACKROYD.)
,, the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER.)
,, the Surveyor General, (JOHN MACNEILE PRICE.)
,, HENRY GEORGE THOMSETT, R.N.
,, PHINEAS RYRIE.
,, FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON.
,, WONG SHING.
,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN, (vice the Honourable THOMAS JACKSON, on leave). ,, JOHN BELL-IRVING, (vice the Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, on leave).
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 27th ultimo, were read and confirmed.
VOTES OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―Read the following Minutes by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:―
(1.)
W. H. MARSH.
C.O. Desp.
106 of 1886. The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $435 for a compassionate allowance to Mrs. SAMPSON, widow of the late First Boarding Officer in the Harbour Department, being the equivalent of 3 months' salary and personal allowance of her late husband, who was in the service of the Colony for nearly 18 years, and gave the highest satisfaction in the discharge of his duties.
Government House, Hongkong, 28th August, 1886.
(2.)
W. H. MARSH.
C.S.O.
1793 & 2106 of 1886.
The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $510 for laying Gas pipes, erecting seven Lamps, and constructing a Platform for accommodating Bandsmen in the Government Gardens.
Through the courtesy of the Colonel and Officers of the Northamptonshire Regiment, the Band of that Regiment has played in the Gardens generally one evening every week since the beginning of the year, except when prevented by the weather. A large and appreciative audience generally attends to listen to the music. At first, there were no lights; afterwards some Chinese lanterns were supplied, but, when there was any wind they were blown out. It is proposed to erect seven Gas lamps in the part of the Gardens where the Band plays. They would only be lighted when required, and it is estimated, that the cost would be about 60 cents a night. The Colonel Commanding the Regiment has also represented the necessity of having a movable Platform for accommodating about 50 Bandsmen. His Excellency thinks that the Council will not hesitate to vote the small sum asked for in aid of an entertainment which appears to be deservedly popular.
Government House, Hongkong, 28th August, 1886.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that these Minutes be referred to the Finance Committee. The Treasurer seconded.
Question―put and passed.
PAPERS.―The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the following papers:―
No. 38
1886 Despatch respecting the German Mail Steamers.
No. 39
1886 Correspondence respecting a proposed Lighthouse on Gap Rock or its vicinity.
No. 40
1886 Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government on the Estimates for 1887. No. 41
1886 Correspondence respecting the eviction of Squatters at Kennedy Town.
No. 42
1886 Despatch respecting the recent scarcity of Water.
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QUESTIONS.―CARGO-BOATS.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked the following question:― What conclusions have been arrived at by the Commission which was appointed by the Government in November, 1885, to enquire into the Cargo-boat question?
The Acting Colonial Secretary referred to Mr. RYRIE who was the proposer and Chairman of the Committee. Mr. RYRIE addressed the Council.
Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:―
SQUATTERS AT KENNEDY TOWN.―Is it true that no proper legal steps were taken to evict the Squatters at Kennedy Town?
Is it true that no arrangements were made for housing the people before pulling down their shanties? Is it true that many of them are now houseless?
If such is not the case, to move for papers shewing that the Government did take legal steps, did make previous arrangements, and that none are now houseless.
The Acting Attorney General replied, and laid upon the table, by command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, copies of correspondence on the subject (paper No. 41
1886 ).
MOTIONS.―EUROPEAN INTERPRETATION DEPARTMENT.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, moved:― That a European Interpretation Department be established forthwith, and addressed the Council. Mr. RYRIE seconded the motion and addressed the Council.
The Acting Attorney General addressed the Council.
The Chief Justice addressed the Council.
Mr. WONG SHING addressed the Council.
The Acting Colonial Secretary addressed the Council.
The Treasurer addressed the Council.
Mr. MACEWEN then gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would move the appointment of a Committee to consider the question.
LIGHTHOUSE ON GAP ROCK.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, called for the Correspondence between Capt. MCLEAR of H.M.S. Flying Fish and the Government, with the minutes thereon, respecting a Lighthouse on Gap Rock or its vicinity, and wished to move a resolution on the subject.
The Officer Administering the Government addressed the Council, remarking that Mr. MACEWEN had not stated what his resolution was.
Mr. MACEWEN addressed the Council.
The Officer Administering the Government replied, and laid on the table some correspondence on the subject (paper No. 39
1886 ).
THE APPROPRIATION BILL FOR 1887.―The Acting Colonial Secretary moved the First Reading of this Bill, and referred to the papers on the subject laid on the table (paper No. 40
1886 ).
The Treasurer seconded.
Question―put and passed.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the Standing Orders be suspended.
The Treasurer seconded.
Question―put and passed.
Bill read a second time, and referred to the Finance Committee.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL FOR 1885.―The Acting Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of this Bill.
The Treasurer seconded.
Question―put and passed.
Bill read a second time and referred to the Finance Committee.
ADJOURNMENT.―The Council then adjourned sine die.
W. H. MARSH,
Administering the Government.
Read and confirmed, this 1st day of October, 1886.
J. M. GUTIERREZ,
Acting Clerk of Councils.