HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 99 1ST OCTOBER, 1914.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FRANCIS HENRY MAY, K.C.M.G.
HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL F. H. KELLY, C.B. (General Officer Commanding Troops).
HON. MR. CLAUD SEVERN (Colonial Secretary).
HON. MR. J. H. KEMP (Attorney-General).
HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE (Colonial Treasurer).
HON. MR. A. F. CHURCHILL (Director of Public Works).
HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).
HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER (Captain Superintendent of Police).
HON. MR. WEI YUK, C.M.G.
HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.
HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT, C.M.G.
HON. MR. D. LANDALE.
HON. MR. LAU CHU PAK.
MR. M. J. BREEN (Clerk of Councils). Financial Minutes
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 51 to 57, 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 Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 13), and moved its adoption.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Special Police Reserve Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance
to provide for the formation of a Special Police Reserve."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
HIS EXCELLENCY ― Gentlemen, I would like to say a few words on this Bill in order to avail myself of this opportunity to express the great appreciation of the Government of those gentlemen who have rendered very valuable assistance as special constables. There have been altogether enrolled as special constables, 216 Europeans, 67 Portuguese, 44 Indians and 25 Chinese. For some days past now the larger number of these special constables have been practically disbanded, but there are 53 still doing duty in the Peak district in order to replace a number of constables who are still placed at the disposal of the Military Authorities for various services. The large force of police consisting of 150 men who had been lent to the Military Authorities being no longer required, have returned to police duty, and it is for that reason that the majority of special constables were also relieved of further service. The duties of these special constables were principally carried out at night, and the Captain Superintendent of Police reports that they did extremely efficient service. He reports to me as follows:―
"The special constables performed their duties in a very efficient and conscientious manner. Mr. F. C. Jenkin was in charge of the Peak contingent and arranged their duties and drilled them there. The men on the Kowloon side had a good deal of hard and important work. All the men showed very good attention to drill, the Indians were very keen and the inspectors spoke highly of the common sense of those Chinese who were on patrol when called upon for action."
As you all know, one of the first requisites in a policeman is common sense, and I congratulate the members who represent the Chinese community that in this respect the Chinese special constables were by no means lacking. Now, I myself have had some of those "Specials" under observation. One morning I left the Peak at a very early hour, before six o'clock. I thought to
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go off and enjoy myself shooting, and I must say I felt somewhat ashamed when I met four well-known residents who had evidently finished their four hours' turn of duty, and were no doubt comparing notes of their experience during the early hours of that morning. It is a very commendable spirit that they exhibited. I met another very well-known resident, a man whom I have known here for a number of years, and he just had to intercept a lady who was trespassing on the Albany filter beds. He approached his quarry with that tact, and conducted her beyond the proscribed area with that firmness of manner which is really worthy of Scotland Yard. No one could have done it better or in a more professional manner. You all know the gentleman. He is connected with the Land Investment Company. There was another young man of the legal profession upon whom all my blandishments to induce him to join the Volunteers have for the last year or so been utterly unavailing. I knew he had some good in him, although he would not volunteer, so he was the first man I nominated to be sworn in as a special constable. He has quite distinguished himself, and seems to have found a sphere for which he has special capacity. Mr. Messer, who is here, sent his head Chinese detective to the Peak one night to see how the specials were getting on. I suppose this detective was lurking about so that he might have a good view without being observed himself. But this lynx-eyed special detected him, and not being able to get a satisfactory answer out of him, took him, as all good policemen do when in doubt, to the police station. When it was discovered that he was the head Chinese detective he made some excuses to him, and the head Chinese detective told him, I believe, "Maskee, you belong very good policeman. By'm bye allo same my." (Laughter.) Well, gentlemen, to view the matter from a more serious standpoint, I must say that I have been immensely pleased by the public-spirited manner in which these gentlemen, from all sections of the community and of four different races, have come forward to bear the burden of the day. They have been extremely useful. They have performed very efficient and very useful services, and it is my desire to give some permanency to this force. They would have been more efficient, and there would have been less trouble in organising them if they had been already in some degree trained, and already organised to
take their places under the Captain Superintendent of Police. And that is the object of this Bill: in order that we may build up a Police Special Reserve to form a reserve of men from which we can draw in case of necessity, special constables who, I have no doubt, will be equally efficient and equally public-spirited as have the gentlemen who have served during the past few weeks, and some of whom are still serving. (Applause.)
The Objects and Reasons of the Bill are to create a Special Police Reserve Force, the members of which could be called out as Special Constables in times of national emergency or local disorder.
The necessity for a large body of Special Constables in times of emergency has been demonstrated recently, and the usefulness of such a body would be considerably increased by preliminary training, while the enrolment of a large body of Special Police at short notice would be much facilitated by the existence of a Reserve consisting of men who had declared their willingness to serve as Special Constables.
Trading with the Enemy
HIS EXCELLENCY―With regard to the second item on the Orders of the Day, I am not in a position to proceed with it to-day, as I am still expecting a further communication from England on the subject. I propose to have a special meeting of the Council as soon as I am ready, and therefore propose to adjourn the Council sine die, and I trust you will excuse me if I have to summon you at short notice. Perhaps it may be to-morrow or Saturday.
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FINANCE COMMITTEE.
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A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.
The following votes were passed:― Miscellaneous
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $7,200 in aid of the vote Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Launch, Steam Barges and Lighters― Towing Barge.
THE CHAIRMAN―This sum is for a new towing barge to replace one which was wrecked in the second typhoon of last year, September 18th. No provision was
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made in this year's estimates for a new one, as it was necessary to await the Governor's return. After some discussion it was decided that the best thing would be to build a new towing barge, and a tender was accepted at $7,200 from the Kwong Hip Loong Company, which was very much the lowest of any tender sent in.
Public Works
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $200 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Buildings, Addition to Printing Office, Victoria Gaol.
THE CHAIRMAN ― The extension of the printing office in the gaol is finished. The total cost was $2,889, of which $1,794 was expended last year, leaving $1,095 to be defrayed out of this year's vote. The amount voted this year was $900 and there is a deficit of $200, for which this supplementary vote is required.
Audit Department
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $100 in aid of the vote Audit Department, Other Charges, Transport and Travelling.
THE CHAIRMAN ― A certain amount of extra expenditure has been incurred this year which was unforeseen, due to extra travelling of the clerical staff of the Audit Office between Kowloon Branch Office and Hongkong and the Opium Monopoly Offices.
Sanitary Department
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,410 in aid of the following votes:―
Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Sanitary Staff:―
Disinfectors ................................... $300 Head Stones ................................... 350 Light:―
Praya East Market ......................... 60 Western Market, North and South
Blocks ....................................... 400 Veterinary Staff:―
Animal Depôt and Slaughter
houses, Light ............................ 300 ———
$1,410
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THE CHAIRMAN―These sums are due to some extent to the plague epidemic this year; $300 for disinfectors and $350 for head-stones. The item for light, $60, is for lighting a matshed market opposite No. 2 Police Station. This is a new installation and its requirements were under-estimated. For the light in the Western Market, north and south blocks, a vote of $400 extra is required. The monthly cost for lighting the new south block was under-estimated, and the vote is chiefly for that block. The animal depôt and slaughter-house vote of $300 asked for is for lighting the swine slaughter-house, which has recently been made. That sort of work takes place very early in the morning.
The Governor also recommended the Council to vote a sum of $900 in aid of the vote Sanitary Department, Other Charges, Sanitary Staff, Purchase and Maintenance of Bullocks.
THE CHAIRMAN ― The reason for not enough money being provided under this head was the unfavourable condition of the cattle market in 1913, which made it undesirable to bring the stock of the Sanitary Board bullocks up to the full working strength. It was therefore held over until this year, when 11 bullocks were purchased for $650. In addition to that, there was a fall in exchange which affects the cost of the purchase of food from India, a rise in the price of straw to 75 cents a picul, and additional feeding required in consequence of the new evening scavenging service. These last items make up the balance of $900.
Coolie Hire
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one hundred dollars ($100) in aid of the vote Miscellaneous Services, Government Launches, Gear, etc.
THE CHAIRMAN―This is in payment of incidentals, including railway freight and coolie hire for conveying coal to Taipo. The increase is mainly due to coolie hire, as the railway company have shifted the place for loading trucks from where it was before.
Typewriter
The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of $300 in aid of the vote Governor, Special Expenditure, Typewriter.