HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 27TH FEBRUARY, 1905.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR MATTHEW NATHAN, K.C.M.G.
HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL VILLIERS-HATTON, C.B. (General Officer Commanding the Troops).
Hon. Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary). Hon. Mr. E. H. SHARP, K.C., (Attorney General). Hon. Mr. L. A. M. JOHNSTON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General).
Hon. Mr. P. N. H. JONES (Director of Public Works). Hon. Captain L. A. W. BARNES-LAWRENCE, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. SIR C. P. CHATER, KT., C.M.G.
Hon. Dr. HO KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G.
Hon. Mr. WEI YUK.
Hon. Mr. R. SHEWAN.
Hon. Mr. W. J. GRESSON.
Hon. Mr. GERSHOM STEWART.
Mr. S. B. C. ROSS (Clerk of Councils).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY―Sir, I have the honour to lay on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 1 to 3 and beg to move that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
The Hon. COLONIAL TREASURER―I beg to second the motion.
The motion was carried.
PAPERS.
The report on the Queen's College for the year 1904, and the report on the Widows and Orphans' Fund for the year 1904 were laid on the table.
QUESTIONS.
The Hon. Mr. STEWART asked the following questions standing in his name:―
1. In view of the increasing trade by launches and steamers to Kongmun and Wu
chow by the Wang Mun entrance of the West River, will the Government take into consideration the advisability of approaching the Chinese Government to induce them to improve the lighting at the entrance of the river, and if possible to put a light on Lintin or in the vicinity for steamers to pick up in thick weather?
2. Will the Government again take into consideration the lighting of the Peak Roads either by gas, electric or oil lamps of the Kitson or similar patterns?
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY―The answer to both questions is "yes."
JURY LIST FOR 1905.
The Jury List for 1905 was considered in private. ADJOURNMENT.
The Council adjourned sine die.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Hon. Colonial Secretary presiding.
Financial Minute No. 1. ― H. E. the Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of two thousand seven hundred dollars (£225 at 1/8 ＝$2,700), in aid of the vote Police Department, Personal Emoluments, being the salary for Mr. T. H. KING, police probationer, for 1905.
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY―This officer was appointed after the estimates had been formed, and, therefore, it was not possible to include his salary.
The vote was agreed to.
Financial Minute No. 2.―H.E. the Governor recommended the Council to re-vote a sum of seventy-one thousand eight hundred and thirty-six dollars and nineteen cents ($71,836.19) from unexpended balances of 1904, in aid of the
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vote Public Works Extraordinary for the following items: ―
1. Disinfecting Station, Kowloon,
including quarters for Inspectors ........ $ 4,800.00 2. Yaumati School .................................... 13,081.06 3. Tai Po, Quarters for Officers ............... 7,500.00 4. Praya East Reclamation ....................... 7,472.01 5. Rifle Ranges, Kowloon, Construction
of Butts .................................................. 700.64 6. Rifle Ranges, Kowloon, Diversion of
Roads ..................................................... 1,535.16 7. Water-works, Albany Filter Beds,
Alterations & Repairs .......................... 3,458.15 8. Water-works, Peak Supply and
Reconstruction of No. 2 Tank ............. 9,926.56 9. Central Police Station, Additional
Storey, .................................................... 7,003.66 10. Urinal close to the Upper Tram
Station, Peak ......................................... 863.00 11. Readjustment of Kowloon Marine
Lots 44-46 and Kowloon Inland Lots
887-897, Tai-kok-tsui ........................... 6,295.95 12. Green Island Light improvement ....... 9,200.00 ————
Total ........................................ $71,836.19
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1. The unexpended balance on this item was only $271.13, the excess is for piling owing to change of site and an allowance is now made for water and drainage.
3. Excess due to alteration of site of stables and widening of Causeway.
12. $565.81 of this sum represents excess of contract price over estimate.
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY.―This vote is a Public Works Extraordinary.
H.E. The GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS.― What rifle ranges are referred to?
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY.―The new rifle ranges at Kowloon. Re-vote refers to money that could not be spent last year.
The vote was agreed to.
Financial Minute No. 3. ― H.E. the Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of fifteen thousand and ninety dollars ($15,090) in aid of the vote Land Registry Office, New Territories, for the following items:―
Personal Emoluments.
Assistant Land Officer, ................................................. $3,600 Do., Exchange Compensation, ...... 2,880 Interpreter ($720 to $1,200 by $60 biennially), I. D. 2nd class, ............................................................. 810
4 Chinese Copying Clerks at $420 each, ................. 1,680 Chinese Writer, ............................................................ 300 3 Writers, for 2 months at $20 per month each, ...... 120 Demarcator, ................................................................. 180 4 Messengers:―1 at $120, 1 at $108, and 2 at $96
each, ........................................................................ 420 STAFF AT TAI PO.
3 Clerks at $300 each ............................................... 900 Clerk ........................................................................... 180 4 Clerks for 2 months at $15 per month each ........ 120 Demarcator ................................................................ 180 Total personal emoluments ................ $11,370
Other Charges.
Additional travelling allowance to
Assistant Land Officer ............................. $120 Office furniture and incidental expenses ..... 500 Safes ................................................................ 2,500 Teacher's allowance to Assistant Land
Officer ........................................................ 120 Travelling allowance to Assistant Land
Officer ........................................................ 480 —— 3,720
Total ..................................... $15,090
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY.―These items are necessary for the land work in the New Territory.
The Hon. Mr. SHEWAN―Is there a double salary to a land officer doing work.
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY―It is an extra land officer. There are already two, one in the New Territory and one in Victoria. The Hongkong office is not able to cope with the entire work. The staff will be distributed between Hongkong and Taipo.
The Hon. Mr. SHEWAN―The new man to go is not doing any other work?
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY―No, he is not doing anything else.
The Hon. Mr. WEI YUK―He is not a permanent officer?
The Hon. COLONIAL SECRETARY―No, not permanent. We do not know how many men it will take to do the work, or how much work is involved.
The vote was agreed to.
The meeting of the Finance Committee was then adjourned.
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