16 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 27TH FEBRUARY, 1908.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR ― SIR FREDERICK JOHN DEALTRY LUGARD, K.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.
HON. MR. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary). HON. MR. W. REES DAVIES (Attorney General).
HON. MR. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer).
HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). HON. COMMANDER BASIL R. H. TAYLOR, R.N. (Harbour Master).
HON. DR. HO KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.
HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT.
HON. MR. WEI YUK.
HON. MR. E. OSBORNE.
MR. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils). Minutes.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed.
Portugal's Calamity.
HIS EXCELLENCY―On the 6th Feb. last this Council passed a resolution with regard to the crime which has been committed in Portugal. Before proceeding to business I will read the reply received from the Governor of Macao, to whom the resolution was forwarded.
PALACIO DO GOVERNOR,
12th February, 1908.
SIR,―I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency's letter conveying to me copy of a Resolution of Condolence with the Portuguese Throne and Nation in the terrible calamity that has befallen them, passed by the Legislative Council of your Colony and to tender to Your Excellency, the Honourable Members of the Legislative Council and the people of the Colony of Hongkong the hearfelt thanks of this Government and Colony for
their kind expressions of sympathy,―I have, etc.,
(Sd.) PEDRO DE AZEVEDO COUTINHO,
Governor.
To His Excellency the Governor,
Hongkong.
Papers.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers: "Progress Report on the Construction of the British section of the Hongkong-Canton Railway to 31st December, 1907" and "Report on the Widows' and Orphans' Fund for the year 1907."
Financial Minutes.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H. E. the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes No. 6 and 7, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Finance.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I have to bring up the report of the Finance Committee (No. 2), and to move its adoption.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Summoning of Chinese Ordinance.
THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL―Sir, I rise to move the resolution which stands in my name. It extends the period of operation of The Summoning of Chinese Ordinance 1899. Under the existing ordinance it is necessary that it should be renewed, and as it seems advisable to renew it, this resolution so provides.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The resolution was in the following terms:
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 17
"Whereas by Section 5 of The Summoning of Chinese Ordinance 1899 (No. 12 of 1899), it was enacted that the said Ordinance should only continue in operation for a period of two years from the coming into operation of the said Ordinance, and for such further period or periods as might from time to time be determined by resolution of the Legislative Council.
"And whereas it is desirable that the said Ordinance should remain in force until its operation is determined by a further resolution.
"It is hereby resolved by this Council that The Summoning of Chinese Ordinance 1899 shall be and hereby is continued in force until its operation is determined by a further resolution of this Council.
Inspection of Animals.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to move that the approval of the Council be given to the Amendment of the Importation and Inspection of Animals Bye-laws made under Section 16 of the Public Health and Building's Ordinance 1903. The only alteration, Sir, in the Bye-laws that is rather material is the concluding words in Bye-law No. 3, "such other place as the Board may appoint." The insertion of these words is necessary in order to give greater latitude to the Board in selecting the place for the segregation of infected animals.
THE HON. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Chinese Emigration Ordinance.
THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved that the Council resolve itself into committee to consider the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Chinese Emigration Ordinance 1889.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
In addition to some minor Amendments a new section, numbered 5, was added amending Section 142 of the Principal Ordinance by substituting in the second line of Sub-section (3) the words "fifty dollars" in place of the words "twenty-five dollars."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY explained that
this increase in the fees for medical examinations was made in order to recoup the cost of additional staff (amounting to between $5,000 and $9,000 per annum) rendered necessary by the Bill for the supervision of assisted emigrants. The balance of the increased fees over such cost will be credited to General Revenue.
On the Council resuming
THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL said―In view of the introduction of the new Clause 5 which involves a charge in aid of revenue, we do not propose to ask the Council to-day to read the Bill a third time.
HIS EXCELLENCY ― The Council stands adjourned until after the meeting of the Finance Committee.
Jury List.
When the Council resumed the Jury List for 1908 was considered in private, and the Council was adjourned for a week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding. The following votes were passed:―
Police Station Repairs.
THE GOVERNOR recommended the Council to vote a sum of One thousand three hundred dollars (1,300) in aid of the vote, Public Works Extraordinary, Buildings, No. 5 Station ― Alteration to Quarters.
Queen's College.
THE GOVERNOR recommended the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and fifty-six dollars (156) in aid of the vote, Public Works Extraordinary, Miscellaneous, Queen's College Latrines and Urinal.