26 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 2ND APRIL, 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. WEI YUK.
HON. MR. E. OSBORNE.
HON. MR. H. KESWICK.
MR. C. CLEMENTI (Clerk of Council).
Minutes.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and confirmed.
Financial Minutes.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 9 to 13 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 direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and moved its adoption,
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was agreed to.
Hongkong-Canton Railway.
The following resolution stood in the name of the Colonial Secretary:―
"It is hereby resolved that a sum of four million and twenty thousand dollars ($4,020,000) be advanced out of funds in the custody of the Government for the purpose of construction of the Hongkong-Canton Railway (British Section) during the year 1908."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY said: This resolution was referred to the Finance Committee and there was a reduction to the sum stated in the resolution in consequence of certain sums being deducted from the estimated expenditure in accordance with your Excellency's directions.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the resolution was carried.
Foreign Corporations Ordinance.
THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to enable Foreign Corporations to acquire and hold Land in the Colony.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 27
Wharf and Godown Co.'s Bye-Laws.
THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorise the making of Bye-laws by the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Godown Company, Limited.
THE HON. MR. KESWICK seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Public Health and Buildings Ordinance (Amendment) Bill.
THE ATTORNEY -GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, and The Public Health and Buildings Amendment Ordinance, 1903.
HON. DR. HO KAI―I would ask that the second reading of the Bill be postponed for three weeks. The translation into Chinese is not ready yet, but it will be ready some time next week, and then there will be only two or three weeks for the Chinese to study the Bill. I hope the Government will have no objection to postponing the second reading for three weeks from this date.
THE HON. MR. KESWICK―I beg to second that, not only for the reasons given by the hon. member, but also in order that the foreign landowners and the property owners may have further opportunity of discussing and looking through this Bill.
HIS EXCELLENCY―I shall be glad to postpone consideration of the Bill for another three weeks in accordance with this wish of members. The Council stands adjourned for a fortnight. There will be a meeting of the Finance Committee after the Council.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held after the Council―the Colonial Secretary presiding―at which the following votes were passed:―
Assessor's Office.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of One hundred Dollars ($100) in aid of the vote Treasury, B.―Office of Assessor of Rates, Other Charges, Typewriter.
Shroffs' Securities.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and twelve dollars and fifty cents ($112.50) in aid of the vote Treasury, Treasurer's Office, Other Charges, Security Allowances for nine months to one 4th Grade and one 5th Grade Shroff.
Improvement at Government House.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Four thousand four hundred dollars ($4,400) in aid of the vote Public Works Extraordinary, Installation of Electric Fans at Government House.
Maintenance of Lighthouses.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Six thousand five hundred dollars ($6,500) in aid of the vote Public Works Recurrent, Buildings, Maintenance of Lighthouses.
Harbour Master's Department.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Two hundred and thirty-four dollars ($234) in aid of the vote Harbour Master's Department, A.― Harbour Office, Other Charges, Oil and Sundry Stores.