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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 26.
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FRIDAY, 22ND APRIL, 1887.
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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 Acting Chief Justice (JAMES RUSSELL), vice His Honour SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt., on leave.
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.
,, WONG SHING.
,, JOHN BELL-IRVING, (vice the Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, on leave).
,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN, (vice the Honourable THOMAS JACKSON, on leave). ,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, (vice the Honourable FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON, on leave). The Council met pursuant to notice.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 15th instant, are 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.
The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $9,600 for the extension of the Cattle Depôt at Kennedy Town.
C.S.O.
68 of 1887. The present Depôt can accommodate 240 head of cattle intended to be slaughtered for the meat supply of the City; but the requirements of the town and of the shipping have grown so largely that the Acting Registrar General now states that the present accommodation is inadequate, and that room should be provided for at least 360 head of cattle.
A copy of a letter on this subject from the Surveyor General is annexed.
Government House, Hongkong, 22nd April, 1887.
Enclosure.
No. 9.
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT,
HONGKONG, 10th January, 1887.
SIR,―Some years ago the Government built a Cattle Depôt at Kennedy Town destined to accommodate the cattle intended to be slaughtered for the meat supply of the City. It was stated at the time that room for 120 head of cattle would suffice, and that the market or depôt could be enlarged subsequently as the demands of the Colony increased.
2. Two years ago the question was again considered, and it was stated that accommodation should be provided for at least 240 head of cattle. Accordingly in 1885, the Government placed on the Colonial Estimates for 1886, a sum of $10,000 for this extension of the Depôt.
3. But the fact is the wants of the town and of the shipping are growing enormously from day to day, and the Registrar General now states that the recent extension is inadequate and that room should be provided in the Depôt for at least 360 head of cattle.
4. Of the necessity for this further extension, I myself can entertain no doubt, for, on a recent examination of the place, I saw many bullocks picketted outside, exposed to all weathers, for want of room in the sheds.
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5. Cattle exposed in this unsheltered and somewhat inhuman manner are liable to contract disease, and as the Government now pays compensation for diseased cattle destroyed, there is always a risk of more or less heavy demands being made on the Colonial Treasury on this account.
6. A further extension of the cattle sheds so as to enable them to hold 360 head, would involve an outlay of $9,600, and if this proposition were sanctioned a special vote for this amount would have to be asked of the Legislative Council.
7. I ought, however, to mention that a balance has remained over of $1,840 from last year's vote of $10,000, so that if a special vote of $9,600 were now asked for, a proportion of $1,840 would in reality be nothing more than a re-vote, and it would only be the balance, i.e., $7,760 that would represent new expenditure.
8. As a considerable revenue may be derived from this place if enlarged, the Government will doubtless have all the greater inducement to sanction a further extension of the accommodation. The 120 stalls proposed now to be added will bring in an additional $40 a month, representing a return of 5 per cent. on the outlay.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
J. M. PRICE,
Surveyor General.
The Honourable F. STEWART, LL.D.,
Acting Colonial Secretary,
&c., &c., &c.
(2.)
W. H. MARSH.
C.S.O.
954 of 1887. On the representation of the Surveyor General and the Harbour Master, that the Officer's Quarters at Stone Cutters's Island Magazine are now in such a state as to make any further postponement of repairs unsafe, the Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $2,000 to defray this service.
Government House, Hongkong, 22nd April, 1887.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that these votes 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:―
(a.) The Blue Book for 1886.
(b.) Report on the Blue Book for 1886. (No. 2287 ).
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE THE BUILDING OF CHINESE HOUSES IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time. BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO ENABLE THE TRUSTEES OF THE RHENISH MISSIONARY SOCIETY TO SELL AND DISPOSE OF CERTAIN LEASEHOLD PROPERTY WITHIN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and addressed the Council on the objects and reasons of it. The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question―put and passed.
Bill read a second time.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE NATURALISATION OF CH'AN KWOK YING.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and addressed the Council on the objects and reasons of it. The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question―put and passed.
Bill read a second time.
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BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND AND CONSOLIDATE THE LAW RELATING TO JURORS.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and addressed the Council on the objects and reasons of it.
The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question―put and passed.
Bill read a second time.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AUTHORISING THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION TO CONTINUE INCORPORATED FOR THE FURTHER TERM OF TWENTY-ONE YEARS.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council went into Committee on this Bill.
Bill reported without amendment.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE EMPOWERING THE COURTS TO AWARD WHIPPING AS A FURTHER PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN CRIMES.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council went into Committee on this Bill.
Bill reported with amendments.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO CONSOLIDATE AND AMEND THE LAW FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND REGULATION OF THE POLICE FORCE OF THE COLONY.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a third time.
Question put―that this Bill do pass.
Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance No. 14 of 1887.
DEPARTURE OF HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G.―His Excellency informed the Council of his approaching departure from the Colony, on Monday next, upon his retirement from the service.
Mr. RYRIE addressed His Excellency in appropriate terms on behalf of the Council, remarking that he was retiring with a highly honourable record, and wishing him a pleasant voyage to New Zealand, in which country he understood he purposed settling.
His Excellency thanked the Council for their kind sentiments.
POSTPONEMENT OF THE OTHER ORDERS OF THE DAY.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the other Orders of the Day were postponed.
ADJOURNMENT.―The Council then adjourned to Friday, the 29th instant.
W. G. CAMERON, Major-General,
Administering the Government
Read and confirmed, this 29th day of April, 1887.
ARATHOON SETH,
Clerk of Councils.