HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 27
23rd March, 1933.
PRESENT:―
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.).
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR-GENERAL O. C. BORRETT, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O.).
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN, C.M.G.).
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, K.C., O.B.E.).
THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, C.M.G., C.B.E.). THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. E. TAYLOR).
HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE, C.M.G., (Inspector General of Police).
HON. MR. R. M. HENDERSON, (Director of Public Works).
HON. COMMANDER J. B. NEWILL, D.S.O., R.N., (Retired) (Harbour Master). HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, KT., K.C.
HON. SIR WILLIAM SHENTON, KT.
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D.
HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.
HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.
HON. MR. S. W. TS'O, O.B.E., LL.D.
HON. MR. T. N. CHAU.
MR. R. A. C. NORTH (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
ABSENT:―
HON. MR. J. J. PATERSON.
HON. DR. A. R. WELLINGTON, (Director of Medical and Sanitary Services).
28 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
MINUTES.
The Minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.
NEW MEMBER.
THE HONOURABLE COMMANDER JOSEPH BERNARD NEWILL, D.S.O., R.N., (Retired) (Acting Harbour Master) took the oath of allegiance and his seat as a member of the Council.
PAPERS.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the following papers:―
Order under section 17 of the Prisons Ordinance, 1932.
Resolution under section 7 of the Tobacco Ordinance, 1931.
Report of the Superintendent of Imports and Exports for the year 1932.
Report of the Registrar of the Supreme Court for the year 1932.
FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the report of the Finance Committee, No. 3 of 16th March, 1933, and moved that it be adopted.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and this was agreed to.
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1933.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, 1899."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 29
SUMMARY OFFENCES AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1933.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Summary Offences Ordinance, 1932."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
NEW TERRITORIES REGULATION AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE, 1933.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the New Territories Regulation Ordinance, 1910."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
FULL COURT ORDINANCE, 1933.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Full Court Ordinances."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a second time.
30 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Upon Council resuming,
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
FAREWELL TO MR. HALLIFAX.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Honourable Members of Legislative Council: This is the last occasion, I regret to say, on which Mr. Hallifax, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs, will sit on this Council.
Mr. Hallifax was appointed to be a cadet in the Hong Kong Civil Service over thirty-five years ago, and has had a long and distinguished career in this Colony. In his early days he officiated in the New Territories, and has always retained a deep affection for them. As Secretary for Chinese Affairs he must have a unique record, for he was appointed to that post over twenty years ago. There have been several Secretaries for Chinese Affairs all of whom no doubt earned the regard and respect of the Chinese community, but I venture to say that none of them can have earned the respect, regard and affection of that community in a higher degree than has Mr. Hallifax. (Applause).
He has also acted with distinction as Colonial Secretary on several occasions.
In 1924 and 1925 he was Commissioner of the Hong Kong section of the British Empire Exhibition, the duties of which post he carried out with marked ability.
His Majesty the King has recognised Mr. Hallifax's services by conferring upon him successively the honour of O.B.E., C.B.E. and C.M.G.
Speaking personally, my friendship with Mr. Hallifax dates back to November 1897, when he and I left England on the same ship in the hope of carving out careers for ourselves in the Far East. It has been an intense joy to me to be associate with him in my work during the last three years of his service, and I thank him most sincerely for all the advice and help which he has always ungrudgingly given me. I shall feel his departure very much.
Mrs. Hallifax has identified herself throughout with good works in this Colony, and has shown much kindness to many people in Hong Kong (Applause). She as well as her husband will be greatly missed.
HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 31
On behalf of this Council I offer them our sincere good wishes for great happiness and health in their retirement. (Applause).
HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―Sir, I am sure that the Unofficial members of this Council would desire to be associated with your Excellency's farewell to Mr. Hallifax and his wife and daughter. Of Mr. Hallifax it may confidently be asserted that his steadfast devotion at all times to his public duties and his sterling honesty of purpose have gained for him the affection and esteem of all sections of the community. (Applause). Socially Mr. Hallifax and his wife and his daughter will be much missed.
HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL.―On behalf of the Chinese members of this Council and in the name of the Chinese community for whom the Hon. Mr. Hallifax has done so much, I beg to associate myself with the remarks made by your Excellency and by the Hon. Senior Unofficial member. (Applause).
HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX.―I thank you.
ADJOURNMENT.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Council stands adjourned sine die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
Following the Council, a meeting of the Finance Committee was held in the Council Chamber, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
Votes totalling $104,664, contained in Message No. 4 from H.E. the Governor were considered.
Item No. 162.―Transport of Government Servants―$87,734.
HON. SIR WILLIAM SHENTON.―I was going to ask you whether there is any ruling as to Government servants travelling in British ships.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER.―There is no ruling made at all.
HON. SIR WILLIAM SHENTON.―Is there any understanding?
THE HON. COLONIAL TREASURER.―There is no understanding.
THE CHAIRMAN.―I think you will find there are not very many cases of Government servants not travelling in British ships.
HON. SIR WILLIAM SHENTON.―That is probably so, but I want to know whether there is any cut and dried policy.
32 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
THE CHAIRMAN.―I will have the matter looked into. For the moment as far as I know there is no definite arrangement on the subject.
HON. MR. KOTEWALL.―This item shows a very large excess amounting to $87,000. The explanatory note is no explanation. It merely says that the original estimate has proved insufficient. To what is this large excess due?
THE HON. COLONIAL TREASURER.―It is an over expenditure and the vote was under-estimated in the first instance. The original vote was $400,000 and it should have been larger; merely under-estimated to be perfectly candid.
THE CHAIRMAN.―May I take it the item is approved?
All the votes were approved.