PRESENT:─
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23RD JULY, 1907.
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT, Hon. Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.
Hon. Mr. A.M. THOMSON (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. Mr. H. H. J. GOMPERTZ (Attorney-General).
Hon. Mr. C. McI. MESSER (Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General).
Hon. Mr. F. J. BADELEY (Captain-Superintendent of Police).
Hon. Dr. HO KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. WEI YUK.
Hon. Mr. E OSBORNE.
Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils).
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MINUTES.
On resuming, the ATTORNEY -GENERAL
The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed.
FINANCIAL MINUTES.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency, the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 31 to 32, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 5), and moved its adoption.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
PAPERS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the following papers. The report of the Hongkong Votunteer Corps for the year April 1st, 1906 to March 31st, 1907; the Correspondence on the subject of Hongkong Subsidiary Coins; and the Despatch from the Secretary of State with regard to the report of the Committee of Inquiry in connection with the Typhoon of September 18th, 1906.
INSURANCE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled "An Ordinance relating to Life, Fire and Marine Insurance Companies." In doing so he said:─In consequence of certain considerations which have come forward, I propose to drop at present the provisions in this Ordinance relating to Fire and Marine Insurance Companies. These parts of the Bill may be proceeded with later or otherwise, as may seem expedient. The portion of the Bill relating to life insurance follows closely the provisions of the life Insurance Acts of England and the security is similar to that required to be given under the Imperial Act. The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The Council resolved itself into committee, and considered the Bill clause by clause.
reported that the Bill had passed through committee with certain amendments, and it passed its second reading.
FACILITIES FOR A FOREIGN COMPANY. The ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled "An Ordinance for giving to a Foreign Company called the Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij certain facilities for carrying on its business in the Colony."
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Council then resolved itself into a committee of the whole Council, and the Bill was considered clause by clause.
On Council resuming, the ATTORNEY -GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through committee without amendment, and moved that it be read a third time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time, passed, and became law.
HIS EXCELLENCY─Council stands adjourned until Friday at 2.45 p.m.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held─the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding. The following votes were passed:─
SANITARY AND OTHER VOTES.
The Officer Administering the Government recommended the Council to revote a sum of one thousand one hundred and forty-five Dollars ($1,145) in aid of the vote Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Typhoon Expenses.
POLICE AND PRISON DEPARTMENTS. The Officer Administering the Government recommended the Council to vote a sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A.─Police, Other Charges, for the following items:─ Secret Service ......................................... $ 700 Subsistence of Prisoners........................ 300 $1,000