PRESENT:―
( 163 )
14TH JUNE, 1892.
vote 10,000 rupees for this purpose and I propose that the Telegraph Company should be asked to give us the use of
His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.
Hon. G. T. M. O'BRIEN, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary. Hon. W. M. GOODMAN, Attorney-General.
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Registrar-General. Hon. F. H. May, Acting Colonial Treasurer.
Hon. F. A. COOPER, Director of Public Works. Hon. R. M. RUMSEY, R.N., Harbour Master.
Hon. C. P. CHATER.
Hon. HO KAI.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD:
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS.
Mr. A. M. THOMSON, Acting Clerk of Councils. MINUTES.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
THE CYCLONE AT MAURITIUS: AN ASSISTANCE VOTE.
HIS EXCELLENCY said―Gentlemen, I am very sorry to have been obliged to summon you to meet again, so soon after the adjournment, so unexpectedly and in such a hurried manner, but I think that on the principle of Bis dat qui cito dat, you will agree that I was justified when you have heard that my object in calling you together here this morning is to ask if you do not think it advisable that we should show our tangible sympathy with Mauritius in the dire misfortune which has overtaken that colony. The hon. member who represents the Chamber of Commerce was good enough to send me some newspapers two or three days ago, and it would appear from them that the destruction to property and the loss of life has been too terrible to contemplate. I think that this colony might very well, although its finances are not in a very flourishing condition, mark its sense of this terrible calamitly by voting a sum to the relief of those who are in distress there. The senior unofficial member kindly called a meeting of the unofficial members of the Legislative Council and I believe they are fully in accord with me that it would be very proper and appropriate of Hongkong―which is one of the Eastern colonies―to show its sympathy by voting some sum of money for the assistance of those who are homeless and starving. I shall be obliged if the hon. Colonial Secretary will move a resolution that the colony should
their lines for sending a message to the following effect:― "Hongkong deeply sympathises with Mauritius in its misfortune. Draw upon this Government for 10,000 rupees."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY―I have very great pleasure in moving a resolution that a vote be granted for such an amount as would produce a sum of 10,000 rupees in Mauritius for the relief of those who are in distress there, and that the Telegraph Company should be asked to place its wires at the disposal of the Government free of charge for the telegraphic advice of that remittance.
Hon. C. P. CHATER―I have much pleasure in seconding the proposition of the hon. the Colonial Secretary that this Council vote a sum of 10,000 rupees towards a relief fund for the island of Mauritius, on which so terrible a disaster has befallen. I have no doubt that the whole of the British Empire has been stirred by this awful calamity, and we, here, share in the sympathy that is felt by all. I feel certain that there is no one in Hongkong, whether he be a British subject or not, who does not heartily agree to this measure, the object of which is to relieve a sister colony in dire distress and thereby further cement the ties which bind the Empire together. (Applause).
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD―I rise. Sir, to heartily concur in and support every word which has been said by your Excellency and the senior unofficial member. I think that we are fully justified in giving tangible evidence of our sympathy with a sister colony in the great loss of life and fearful destruction of property which has been caused.
Hon. HO KAI―I express my hearty concurrence with the proposal that is before the Legislative Council. Not only every member of this Council but I am sure every British subject and every Chinese citizen in this colony must feel most sympathisingly with the inhabitants of Mauritius on account of the recent disaster, and I am also sure that every one here who can afford it would put his hand in his pocket to subscribe to any fund which is raised for this object, be he British or Chinese. Unfortunately this colony is passing through a financial depression and what it can do is far below, I am certain, what it would wish to do, but at all events. I am sure this vote will be approved of by all the inhabitants of this colony without distinction of race or class. (Applause).
The question was then put and the vote was agreed to nem. con.
The Council then rose.