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28TH SEPTEMBER, 1905.
PRESENT:―
THE APPROPRIATION BILL.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, MAJOR, SIR MATTHEW NATHAN, K.C.M.G.
HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL VILLIERS HATTON, C.B. (Commanding the Troops). Hon. Mr. T. SERCOMBE SMITH (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. SIR H. S. BERKELEY, K.C. (Attorney General).
Hon. Mr. L. A. M. JOHNSTON (Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. Mr. BASIL H. TAYLOR, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. Mr. R. SHEWAN.
Hon. SIR C. P. CHATER, C.M.G.
Hon. Dr. HO KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. GERSHOM STEWART.
Hon. MR. WEI YUK.
Hon. Mr. C. W. DICKSON.
Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils). MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table financial minutes 40 to 42 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was agreed to.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the adoption of the report of the Finance Committee, No. 8, and stated that an addition had been made to that report.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY―It will be within the recollection of members of the Council that the Appropriation Bill was referred to the Finance Committee last week, after its second reading, to be reported upon. As Chairman of that Committee I beg to certify that the Bill was considered clause by clause in the presence of all the members, and that in the opinion of the Committee the Bill might be dealt with by the Council as a Bill dealt with by a committee of the whole Council. As there was no material alteration in the Bill I beg to propose, in the absence of any objection, the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Five million seven hundred and seventeen thousand two hundred and seventy six Dollars to the Public Service of the year 1906.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.
HIS EXCELLENCY―In asking you, gentlemen, to vote the third reading of the Appropriation Bill―I trust unanimously―I will renew my assurance that that vote will not be considered as committing you to accept the principle of the transfer of the Widows and Orphan's Fund to the Government. As I have not yet been able to obtain the views on the subject of the Widows and Orphan's Pension Fund Bill of certain gentlemen interested in the funds to whom I have referred it, I am not prepared to proceed with it this afternoon. There is one other point I would like to mention this afternoon as I dealt with it in my remarks introducing the Appropriation Bill. I then informed you that I was in hopes that the question of military lands, which had been under discussion since the date of the cession of Kowloon, was approaching settlement. I
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have now pleasure in informing you that, by the last mail, I received from the Secretary of State
FINANCE COMMITTEE. ———
for the Colonies a dispatch in which he informs me that the proposals put forward by His Excellency the General Officer Commanding and myself, as a fair and equitable solution of this matter, had been accepted by the Colonial Office, the War Office, and the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury (applause). The correspondence on the subject is largely confidential, but I am asking the Secretary of State to allow me to lay papers containing this correspondence on the table of this Council (hear hear).
The motion was then agreed to.
On the motion of His Excellency the Bill was passed.
NEW TERRITORIES LAND ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the New Territories Land Ordinance, 1905.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
On the motion of His Excellency the Bill was passed.
MAINTENANCE OF MARRIED WOMEN.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill to provide for the maintenance of married women deserted by their husbands.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
On the motion of His Excellency the Bill was passed.
THE PEAK TRAMWAY.
The HON. SIR. PAUL CHATER moved that the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance for authorizing the Construction of a Tramway within the Colony of Hongkong, be adjourned till the next meeting of the Council.
HIS EXCELLENCY―I do not think that a motion is necessary. This Bill and the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Fund Bill stand adjourned till a future meeting.
The Council was adjourned till after the meeting of the Finance Committee.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held then, the Colonial Secretary presiding. The following votes were approved:― FIRE BRIGADE.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of One thousand dollars ($1,000) in aid of the vote, Police, Sub-Department, Fire Brigade―Other charges, repairs to engines, hose, etc., for the yearly overhaul and repairs of the Floating Fire Engine.
THE GAOL.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Two thousand and six hundred dollars ($2,600) in aid of the vote, Gaol― Other Charges, for the following items:―
Incidental expenses .................................. $1,000 Provisions for prisoners ........................... 1,600 Total. ............................ $2,600
POLICE.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Five thousand one hundred and sixty dollars ($5,160) in aid of the vote, Police ―Other charges, for the following items:―
Incidental expenses ................................... $900 Meals for prisoners in cells ....................... 200 Office Furniture ......................................... 60 Passages, and bonuses in lieu of
Passages ................................................. 4,000 Total .............................. $5,160
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
On the Council resuming,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY said―I beg to report that the financial minutes Nos. 40 to 42 have been considered by the Finance Committee and that the recommendations have been approved. I beg to move that the report be adopted.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was agreed to.
HIS EXCELLENCY―The Council is adjourned sine die.
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