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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 25.
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MONDAY, 27TH OCTOBER, 1890.
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PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (The Honourable FRANCIS FLEMING, C.M.G.).
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (WALTER MEREDITH DEANE, C.M.G.).
,, the Acting Attorney General, (EDWARD JAMES ACKROYD).
,, the Acting Colonial Treasurer, (HENRY ERNEST WODEHOUSE, C.M.G.).
,, the Surveyor General, (SAMUEL BROWN).
,, the Acting Registrar General, (NORfMAN GILBERT MITCHELL-INNES).
,, PHINEAS RYRIE.
,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.
,, JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.
,, HO KAI, M.B., C.M.
,, THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 20th October, 1890, were read and confirmed. Read the following Minute under the hand of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:— F. FLEMING.
The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote a sum of Four hundred and Eighty Dollars, ($480), as a Gratuity to the Widow of Mr. ARTHUR WAGNER, late Assistant Marine Surveyor, and Assistant Superintendent and Engineer of the Fire Brigade, in consideration of her husband's service.
Government House, Hongkong, 18th October, 1890.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that this Minute be referred to the Finance Committee. The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 20th October, (No. 19), and moved that the following Votes referred to therein be passed, viz.:— (1.)
C. O. Desp.
175 of 1890.Excess over the amount estimated for 12 Maxim Guns and Ammunition about to be supplied. The excess is due to the additions made on the recommendation of General
BEVAN EDWARDS, R.E., and Major CLARK, R.E., ................................................................. $ 1,878.00 (2.)
C.S.O.
1383 & 2397 of 1890.
C.S.O.
Re-construction of the landing Pier at Stone Cutters' Island, ...................................................... $ 6,328.00 (3.)
1957 of 1890. Allowance to the Hospital Steward for collecting Hospital bills, at the rate of $20 per month, for October, November and December of the present year, ................................ $ 60.00
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the recommendation of the Finance Committee that the question of the proposed reduction of postage be referred to the Chamber of Commerce be carried into effect. The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next Meeting he would move the following resolution:—
That the Government lay upon the table a complete and detailed statement shewing,—
1.—The total amount in dollars received by this Colony on account of the loan for £200,000. 2.—The total amount of interest paid, principal and rate to be mentioned, on the loan annually from the date of borrowing until now, or to 30th June last, or any more convenient date
of this year.
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3.—The total amount of commission paid to the Crown Agents or others in connection with the loan.
4.—The total amount of charges, advertising, and all others incurred and paid in respect of the loan.
5.—The profit or loss in exchange on each of the amounts of the loan repaid annually.
6.—The rate per cent. per annum the loan has cost annually—the rate to include interest, commission, and all other charges from date of borrowing up to the most convenient
date of this year.
7.—The amounts to be stated in Pounds Sterling as well as in dollars, also the rate or rates of exchange at which each conversion has been made.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD also gave notice of the following motion for the next meeting,— That the Council postpone consideration of the Estimates for 1891 for Public Works Extraordinary No. 29 on the Abstract List—in so far as regards the following numbers under that heading—Nos. 1, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 25, 29, 32, 34, 35, 36 and 37, until Government lay on the table detailed and complete statements of the proposed works shewing what is to be done in each case and the necessity for the works, together with estimates and plans, including a definite statement of their intentions with reference to Drainage and Water-works, so that the Council and the Public may know precisely what it is the Council are asked to sanction and for what purposes the money to be voted is to be used. Further, that the Government lay on the table a copy of the Despatch and Statement sent to Lord Knutsford in reply to his Despatch of 18th April last, also a fresh report from the Surveyor General as to what works he can now reasonably undertake to do during the ensuing year, and also a report detailing the Public Works to which the Colony is already actually committed.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:—
1. Will the Government lay on the table, before proceeding with the Estimates for 1891, the Sanitary Board's letter of the 11th August, 1890, containing certain recommendations on the subject of the Water and Drainage Works?
2. Will the Government, before proceeding with the Estimates for 1891, lay upon the table detailed and complete statements of the proposed Works not already sanctioned by the Legislative Council together with plans and estimates in detail including a complete statement of the new drainage scheme and of the arrangements proposed by Government for carrying it out promptly and effectively?
The Acting Colonial Secretary replied.
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORISE THE APPROPRIATION OF A SUPPLEMENTARY SUM OF THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-NINE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND TWENTY DOLLARS AND SEVENTY-NINE CENTS TO DEFRAY THE CHARGES OF THE YEAR 1889."—The Acting Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Bill. The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that this Bill be referred to the Finance Committee. The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO APPLY A SUM NOT EXCEEDING ONE MILLION SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FOUR THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY DOLLARS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE YEAR 1891."—The Acting Colonial Secretary moved the second reading of the Bill.
The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the Bill be referred to the Finance Committee. The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE No. 8 OF 1873, ENTITLED THE DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE, 1873."—The Acting Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bill.
The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
Bill read a third time.
Question put—that this Bill do pass.
Bill passed.
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BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE POLICE FORCE CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE, 1887."—The Acting Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bill.
The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
Bill read a third time.
Question put—that this Bill do pass.
Bill passed.
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR AND REGULATE A PENSION FUND FOR WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF PUBLIC OFFICERS OF THE COLONY."—The Acting Attorney General moved that this Bill be referred to the Law Committee.
Honourable P. RYRIE addressed the Council.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD addressed the Council.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded the motion.
Question—put and agreed to.
The Council then resolved itself into a meeting of the Finance Committee.
On the Council resuming the Acting Colonial Secretary laid on the table the following resolution passed by the Finance Committee:—
"That the Government do lay on the table a list of those officers who have not received an increase under the new scale of pay and at the same time state the grounds on which these officers are not satisfied."
The adoption of this resolution was moved by the Honourable J. J. KESWICK and seconded by the Honourable P. RYRIE.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the consideration of the above resolution be adjourned. for a week. The Acting Attorney General seconded.
Question—put and agreed to.
BILL ENTITLED "THE SQUATTERS' ORDINANCE, 1890."—Council in Committee on the Bill.
Progress reported.
Council resumed.
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO GIVE FURTHER POWERS TO COMPANIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ALTERATION OF THEIR MEMORANDA OF ASSOCIATION."—Council in Committee on the Bill.
Bill reported without amendment.
Council resumed.
ADJOURNMENT.—The Council then adjourned till Monday, the 3rd November, at 2.30 P.M.
F. FLEMING,
Officer Administering the Government.
Read and confirmed, this 3rd day of November, 1890.
F. A. HAZELAND,
Acting Clerk of Councils.