PRESENT:―
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 141 3RD AUGUST, 1911.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by
command of His Excellency the Governor,
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FREDERICK J. DEALTRY LUGARD, G.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.
HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL C. A. ANDERSON, C.B. (GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS).
HON. MR. W. D. BARNES (Colonial Secretary).
HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER (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, C.M.G. (Registrar-General).
HON. CAPTAIN F. W. LYONS (Captain Superintendent of Police).
HON. DR. HO KAI, M.B., C.M.G.
HON. MR. WEI YUK, C.M.G.
HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.
HON. MR. C. H. ROSS.
HON. MR. C. MONTAGUE EDE
MR. C. CLEMENTI (Clerk of Councils). Minutes
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Financial Minutes
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 44 to 48, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Financial
laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 11), and moved its adoption.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Papers
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers:― Statement with reference to the Typhoon Refuge; Medical and Sanitary Reports for 1910; Report of the Director of Public Works, 1910.
The Old Post Office
HON. MR. POLLOCK asked the following questions:―
1. Is it the fact that the Government has let the premises formerly occupied by the Post Office at a rent of $406 per month, or at some other and, if so, what rent?
2. For what period are such premises let and has the lessee any and what option as to renewal?
3. For what purpose did the lessee take the said premises and what rent is he likely to receive for sub-letting the same?
4. Does the Government consider the rent which the lessee has agreed to pay an adequate rent, and, if so, for what reasons? Did the Government, before agreeing to accept such rent, make any calculations as to how many shops the ground floor of the said premises could reasonably be subdivided into, or make any enquiries as to the rents paid by shops in the neighbourhood?
142 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
If not, why not? Did the Government make any enquiries as to what rents the first floor was likely to bring in if subdivided into rooms for offices? If not, why not?
5. Why was not the leasing of the said premises put up to Public Auction with a Reserve? Is it not usual for Government dealings with land to be put to Public Auction with a Reserve? Are there not some instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:―
1. The premises have been let for a rental of $406 per month, as stated.
2. Up to the 30th June, 1913. If the Government consent, the tenant may remain in occupation as a monthly tenant after the date mentioned.
3. In his tender, he stated that the ground floor was to be used as shops or offices and the first floor as offices or shops. It is not known at present what rental he is likely to receive by sub-letting the premises.
4. (i). Looking to the fact that tenders were invited during 5 weeks in consecutive copies of the Gazette, that attention was called to the matter in the news columns of two of the daily papers, and that the accepted tender was by far the highest of those received, it would appear that it was as good as Government was likely to obtain, and its acceptance more profitable than allowing the site and buildings to remain untenanted indefinitely at Government charges in the hope that a slightly higher offer might eventually be made. Taking into consideration that the tenant in addition to his monthly rental (which represents a sum of $23,000 per acre) has to pay rates assessed on the rentals he receives, and also to insure the buildings, and that the capital outlay to convert the buildings into shops, etc., will be very considerable, and the alterations will take some time to effect, it is obvious that if he makes any profit out of the speculation he must receive very high rentals indeed for the very short period which will intervene between the completion of the alterations and the termination of the lease. The value of the alterations effected will accrue to Government, and the speculation if successful should considerably
increase the auction value of the property if disposed of by Government at the end of the two year's lease.
(ii). The Government made no such enquiries. The rents paid by shops in the neighbourhood would have formed no guide in such a case, as extensive alterations will have to be made and no rental whatever will be recovered by the tenant during such period as the alterations may be in progress.
5 The. usual course in such cases was followed, namely, that of inviting tenders. There are no instructions from the Secretary of State requiring cases such as that in question to be put up to public auction. The Governor has full power to deal with such matters as His Excellency may think fit.
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Arising out of the answer to this question, how many tenders were in fact sent in?
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Three. His Majesty's Thanks
HIS EXCELLENCY―Gentlemen, I have pleasure in reading to you a reply which I have received from the Secretary of State to the telegram sent by the Members of the Councils, etc., at the time of the Coronation. Mr. Harcourt writes as follows:
Downing Street,
8th July, 1911.
Sir,―I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of 22nd June in which the members of the Executive and Legislative Councils and the Judges of Hongkong on behalf of the people of the Colony offer their congratulations to Their Majesties the King and Queen on the occasion of their coronation.
Your telegram has been laid before the King, and I request that you will make it known throughout the Colony under your Government that I am commanded to express Their Majesties' sincere thanks for this loyal and dutiful message.
Their Majesties cordially appreciate the good wishes of their subjects in Hongkong. I have, etc.,
L. HARCOURT.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 143
HIS EXCELLENCY―I have also received one or two other letters in reply to the telegrams sent by the different sections of the Community. These will be published in the Gazette in due course.
Widows' and Orphans' Pension
Amendment Ordinance
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to yet further amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Ordinance, 1908."
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
Post Office Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Post Office Ordinance, 1900." In doing so he said―Since the first reading of this Bill the form of the Bill has been somewhat improved, and the form in which I should like to see it passed is, subject to amendments which I hope to move in Committee, as it appears in the proof on the table dated the 31st July. The Bill authorises the introduction of certain changes in the Post Office practice which have been deemed necessary. It also introduces parts of the Ordinance of Singapore and of the English Act, the introduction of which are
desirable. I do not think there is anything contentious in the Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Council then resolved itself into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move as an amendment that clause 1 and the subsequent clauses be deleted, and clause 1 and the subsequent clauses of the reprint which I lay upon the table, be substituted and considered in Committee clause by clause.
Agreed to.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I
move that the Standing Orders be suspended to enable this Bill to be taken by the heading of sections without reading.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded.
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Sir, I do not think that is desirable in the present case. I think the Council have been treated with a certain amount of discourtesy in the matter, because here we have laid before us practically only a few seconds ago a draft of this Bill which contains entirely new clauses which were not in the Bill as read a first time. No intimation was conveyed to the Council of an intention to submit a fresh draft, and there was no circulation to give members an opportunity of considering these new provisions which appear for the first time in the Bill just laid before us. I think in these circumstances it is advisable to read through the Bill. If we had had full opportunity of considering it the course proposed by the hon. Colonial Secretary might be considered advisable and reasonable. I think it is desirable that we should go through it because we cannot possibly pretend to have considered the new clauses, as we have had no opportunity of perusing them.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I beg leave to withdraw my motion.
On clause 7,
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― In sub section (2) 33a, I move that the words "against the Principal Ordinance" be struck out, because this section comes into the Principal Ordinance. Then in sub-section (2) 33c, in the second line the word "be" be inserted, making it read "he shall be liable." There is also a printer's error in the first line, the letter "s," which requires correction.
Agreed to.
HIS EXCELLENCY―I propose that this Bill shall remain in Committee so that hon. members may have the fullest opportunity of studying it as desired by my hon. and learned friend on the left (Hon. Mr. Pollock). They will have an opportunity of moving any further amendment at our next meeting.
Council then resumed.
144 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Crown Solicitor's Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL ― I ask permission that the next item in the orders of the day, the second reading of the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to make provision for the appointment of and to define the powers of the Crown Solicitor and Assistant Crown Solicitor," be not proceeded with, and that the Bill be withdrawn.
Agreed to.
Crown Lands Resumption Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled. "An Ordinance to further amend the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1900." In doing so he said―A new draft has been prepared and differs very considerably from the Bill which passed its first reading. It has been discovered that the Crown Lands Resumption Amendment Act of 1910 did not fit on to the Principal Ordinance at all. When the editor was trying to fit it on he found that the amendments intended by it were not carried out, and so new clauses have been added in the proof which is now before hon. members, and which I hope they will allow to be substituted in Committee for the draft Bill which passed its first reading. There is one alteration they will find in addition to that. I want to put in a clause amending section 14 of Ordinance No. 18 of 1910. This is a small alteration which changes the rate of interest from seven to eight per cent. The usual rate of interest in the Colony is eight per cent, but in one or two Ordinances it appeared as seven per cent. It is undesirable to have different rates of interest in the Colony, and I hope the Council will agree to the amendment as conducive to uniformity.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Prison Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to further amend the Prison Ordinance, 1899." In doing so he said―There is attached to the Bill, which has passed its
first reading, its objects and reasons. These have been published in Hansard and the Press, and I do not think there is anything useful I can add to them to explain the object and effect of this Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. The Bill was left in Committee and Council resumed.
Probates Amendment Ordinance
THE COLONIAL TREASURER moved that the Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Probates Ordinance, 1897."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―In this Bill a new draft had been prepared in which the section which related to an agreement with Japan has been omitted. The omission is rendered necessary by the fact that the agreement in question expired a few days ago. The other amendments in the new draft were passed at the last meeting.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― There are no further amendments before the Committee.
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL―There is the fresh amendment not made last time, that is, the omission of sub-section C which was placed in the Bill in consequence of the Treaty with Japan, which I move now should be deleted.
Agreed to.
Stamp Amendment Ordinance
THE COLONIAL TREASURER moved that Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to further amend the Stamp Ordinance, 1901, and the law relating to Stamps and Stamp Duty."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
On clause 5,
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I would suggest that the words "or considerations" be deleted.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 145
THE COLONIAL TREASURER―This is copied from the Home Act.
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL ― Sometimes it is desirable not to depart from the copy of the Act at Home.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― There might be three or four considerations in the Deed.
HON. MR. POLLOCK―I think that is what it is intended to cover.
HIS EXCELLENCY ― Then you would leave in the words "or considerations"?
HON. MR. POLLOCK ― We had better adhere to precedent.
HIS EXCELLENCY―You will keep it as it is?
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Yes.
On clause 7 (I.) (a),
HON. MR. POLLOCK―I beg to propose an amendment in the third line. I think instead of it reading "in foreign or British currency" it had better read "in currency other than Hongkong currency." Your Excellency will find a few lines further down a reference to Hongkong currency, and no doubt these words "foreign or British currency" are intended to mean "other than Hongkong currency."
HIS EXCELLENCY―The section should read "In money in any currency other than Hongkong currency"?
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Yes
The amendment was agreed to.
On clause 9,
HON. MR. POLLOCK ― I don't know whether it is intended to follow the English Act, but the English Act says "a fine of £10" without saying "not exceeding £10." I suppose it is desired to follow the English precedent, because as passed this would mean a fine of $100 has to be imposed, and there is no option to impose a lesser fine in any case.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― The nature of the offence is such that there could not be any qualification. Any one offence is just as bad as any other, so why should there be a difference in the fine?
HIS EXCELLENCY―Do you move that the words "not exceeding" be inserted?
HON. MR. POLLOCK ― No. I was just drawing attention to it. This exactly follows the Home Act, which says a fine of £10, and does not say not exceeding.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I think it is only reasonable that the penalty should be "not exceeding."
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I think perhaps the English precedent should be followed.
HIS EXCELLENCY ― You mean it should remain as it stands?
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― It is quite a small sum comparatively, $100.
The clause was then passed.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― I propose to insert a new clause 10 as follows:
10. Sub-section (1) section 18 of the Principal Ordinance is hereby amended:―
(i.) by the deletion of the word "and" at the end of sub sub-section (b) thereof,
(ii.) by the insertion of the word "and" at the end of sub-sub-section (c) thereof,
(iii.) by the insertion after sub-sub-section (c) thereof of the following new sub-sub-section:―
"(d.) Any money payable under a Policy of Insurance effected by any person on his life where the Policy is wholly kept up by him for the benefit of a donee whether nominee or assignee or a part of such money in proportion to the premium paid by him where the Policy is partially kept up by him for such benefit."
Members will find this in the second print dated 26th July. I move that the clause stand as a section of the Bill.
THE HON. MR. POLLOCK―Might I ask, Sir, whether there is a precedent for 10 (iii) d?
146 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―That is a course suggested by the Probate Registrar.
Insertion agreed to.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER―Another new clause I propose to put in is numbered II. It reads:
11. Section 18 of the Principal Ordinance as amended by section 10 of this Ordinance is hereby further amended by re-numbering sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) thereof (2), (3) and (4) respectively, and by inserting at the commencement thereof the following new sub-section:―
"(1.) In this and the following sections the word "estate" or "property" or "effects" of a deceased person, means the personal estate and effects of whatever kind of such person and includes property passing on the death of such person."
15 The Schedule to the Principal Ordinance as amended by Ordinance No. 38 of 1902 is hereby amended as follows:―
(1.) by inserting in Article 14 after the words "Ship's Receipt" the words "whether in the form of an Accountable Receipt or otherwise";
(2.) by substituting "$5" for "$25" in Article 22;
(3.) by substituting "$10" for "$30" in Articles 24 and 31 respectively;
(4.) by adding in Article 41 a new division marked (c) as follows:―
"Floating Policies"
for each endorse- up to $1,000 .......... $10 ment,........................ over "..................... $25 and altering the present (c) in the Article to (d); and
(5.) by adding an Article numbered 52 as follows:― 30 cents for every
This is rendered necessary, Sir, to make the law agree with the law in the Probates
Share Warrants to bearer,
$100 or part thereof.
Ordinance. I move that it be inserted.
Agreed to.
Sections 10 and 11 were renumbered 12 and 13.
On clause 12 re-numbered 14,
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― The amendment to this clause numbered 14 should read as follows:
14. Section 20 (b) (1) of the Principal Ordinance as amended by section 2 of Ordinance No. 44 of 1909 is hereby amended by inserting the words "at the date of the death in the case of property passing on death, or in other cases" after the words "in the Colony were" and by striking out the word "seven" before the words "per centum" and inserting the word "eight" in lieu thereof.
This is another amendment on account of the insertion, the words "passing on death."
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― Also to change the percentage from seven to eight to make the percentage uniform in the Colony.
The clause was passed.
On clause 13 re-numbered 15,
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― I have one or two amendments to make in this. It should read:
There is some difficulty about the definition of an accountable receipt, and it is proposed to put it in this form.
HON. MR. POLLOCK ― What is an accountable receipt?
HON. MR. HEWETT―I have never heard of an accountable receipt before, and I want to know what it means.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―It is a form of ship's receipt which is called an accountable receipt.
HON. MR. HEWETT―Do you mean to insinuate that an ordinary ship's receipt is not an accountable one?
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL ― The former Attorney-General was doubtful on the point and no action was taken.
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Is this a special form of receipt headed accountable receipt?
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― It is a ship's receipt, but the Company which uses it calls it an "accountable receipt."
HON. MR. HEWETT―I never heard of the thing before. I don't know what it means.
The clause was adopted.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 147
Knowingly sells or exposes for sale or utters or uses any
forged stamp, or any stamp which has been fraudulently
THE COLONIAL TREASURER―I beg to move that the following new section numbered 16 should be added:―
16. Whenever the Principal Ordinance shall be printed with the Ordinances amending it sections 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 29 shall be renumbered 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 31 respectively, and sections 20 (a) and 20 (b) introduced by Ordinance No. 44 of 1909 shall be renumbered 24 and 25 respectively, and sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of this Ordinance shall be included and renumbered 13, 14, 30, 15, 16 and 17 respectively.
This is to enable the editor who is revising the Ordinances to deal with these sections.
The clause was passed.
On clause 14 renumbered 17,
THE COLONIAL TREASURER―I beg to move that the word "hereby" be inserted between the words "is" and "repealed" in this section.
The amendment was agreed to, and the clause was passed.
Stamp Duties Management Ordinance
THE COLONIAL TREASURER moved that Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Law relating to the Management of Stamp Duties."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I move the suspension of the Standing Orders in this case. It is a very long Bill.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
On clause 10,
THE COLONIAL TREASURER―In sub section (1) the words should be added after "authority": "or forges, alters, erases, removes or cancels the authorised surcharge on any stamp." Old No. 9 becomes 10, and No. 10 becomes 9, and the new No. 10 is also amended so as to read:
printed or impressed from a genuine die; or any stamp from which cancelling marks have been wholly or partially removed; or any stamp the surcharge on which has been forged, altered, erased, removed or cancelled;
The same provision is also made in No. 11.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Are the words in the marginal note "provided by the collector" necessary?
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I think they might be deleted.
HON. MR. POLLOCK―I should like to know whether this Bill is intended to apply to any kind of stamps at all. For instance, clause 6 says: "fraudulently mutilates any stamp."
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― The stamps are defined in the definition clause.
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Supposing there is a collector of stamps who carries about stamps for sale or exchange. I don't mean stamps for current use, but old stamps, such as the Cape of Good Hope.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― Used stamps are not considered in the Bill. They are of us value for its per pose. This Bill is for the protection of the revenue of the Colony.
HON. MR. HEWETT―I take it, Sir, that the Bill only applies to unused stamps issued by the Hongkong Government for current use in the Colony?
HIS EXCELLENCY―That is the intention, but it does not appear to be perfectly clear.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ―I take it that the difficulty would be met by inserting the word "unused."
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― I move that section 10 as amended stand part of the Bill.
HIS EXCELLENCY― We can take that question about stamps when we come to clause 21.
The clause was passed.
148 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
On clause 21,
THE COLONIAL TREASURER―After the expression "die" in the middle of the definition clause I move that we insert the words "used in the manufacture of any adhesive stamp or for expressing or denoting any duty or rate of duty," etc. Then the expression "stamp" is altered as in the revised print.
HIS EXCELLENCY―(to HON. Mr. Pollock) ―Have you any amendment?
HON. MR. POLLOCK―The point I made is covered by the words "purporting to authorise for transmission by post of any correspondence."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―And in section 3 (I.) "licences to deal in unused stamps."
HON. MR. POLLOCK―Yes, but I think the definition is satisfactory, having regard to the words I mentioned.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― The schedule is slightly altered as to "extent of appeal" as printed in the last revise.
Council then resumed.
Penalties Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that the Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to abolish Minimum Penalties, and to bring the Law of the Colony as to Penalties into uniformity with the Law of England, and for other purposes."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
On clause 9,
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to move an amendment in clause 9 of sub section 9 (ii), that is, the deletion of the words "with or without hard labour," as the case may be.
HON. MR. HEWETT―Clauses 9 and 10 have no marginal notes. I don't know whether they ought to have.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― "General amendments" I should think would do for a marginal note. It is merely to make the scheme of revision intelligible. I move that the marginal note be "provisions as to hard labour," and the addition of the words "with or without hard labour as the case may be" in the fourth and fifth lines of sub-section ii.
This was agreed to.
On clause 10,
HON. MR. HEWETT―The punishment is merely imprisonment without hard labour.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I would suggest "provisions as to fines and forfeiture" for a marginal note.
This was agreed to.
On clause 11,
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I move that we add to the end of the schedule as published in the Gazette of July 21st, Ordinance No. 9 of 1911, and in section 89 for the words "or imprisonment" there shall be read "and imprisonment"; and the words "or to both fine and imprisonment" be repealed. Also that we add further to Ordinance 16 of 1911 in sections 3 (ii) and 5, for the words "or imprisonment" there shall be read "and imprisonment" and the words "or to both" are repealed.
This was agreed to.
Council then resumed.
HIS EXCELLENCY―Council will adjourn until this day week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding. The following votes were passed.―
Police and Prison Departments
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of One hundred and forty-five Dollars ($145) in aid of the vote Police and Prison Departments, A. ― Police, Other Charges, Typewriter.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 149
THE CHAIRMAN―It was found advisable to give un additional typewriter to the police. The matter was urgent and could not wait the ordinary course for providing it.
Queen's College
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one hundred and twenty dollars ($120) in aid of the vote Education. A.― Department of Director of Education, Other Charges, Queen's College, Die for silver button for pupils in Class IA.
THE CHAIRMAN ― The Director urged that in order to promote esprit de corps of the school that if a button were provided for Class IA. the boys would pay for the button themselves. The die was rather expensive, but it was thought it would be an advantage that they should have this.
Medical
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one hundred dollars ($100) in aid of the vote Medical Departments, C.― Institutes, Bacteriological Institute and Mortuaries, Other Charges, Preparation of Viri, Vaccine and Sera.
THE CHAIRMAN―It was found that we could not prepare the requisite quantity of these articles without an additional grant.
Language Study Allowance
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Eighty-four Dollars and nineteen Cents ($84.19) in aid of the vote Public Works Department, Other Charges, Language Study Allowance (Chinese) to Land Surveyor.
THE CHAIRMAN―One of the officers of the Department wished to take up the study of the Chinese language, and provision was made to allow him to do so.
Governor
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Two thousand two hundred Dollars ($2,200) in aid of the vote Governor, Other Charges, for the following two items: ―
Furniture.................................. $ 1,000 Incidental Expenses ................ 1,200
Total..................... $ 2,200
THE CHAIRMAN ― The dining-room at Government House is too small to seat the number of guests invited on important official occasions such as vists of Royalty, etc., and though the accommodation of the supper room is nearly twice that of the dining-room, it has been difficult to use it as it has never been furnished. In view of the expected visit of the German Crown Prince it was considered advisable to furnish this part of the house permanently instead of resorting to the uneconomical practice of hiring. This has been done, and the supper room and staircase leading to it are now in keeping with the rest of Government House. It has been impossible to meet this expenditure from the "Furniture Vote" which is intended for the upkeep of furniture. The second half of the increase has been necessitated by the decision of the Secretary of State on the question of the upkeep of Government House generally, and it has been laid down that the lighting of public reception rooms should be a public charge, and not as heretofore a charge on His Excellency's private purse.