November 25, 1809.]
UNDITURE OF THE 1893 LOAN. ONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table showing the expenditure of the 1893 I been asked for by the Hon. T. H.
ti: was as follows orks from 1992 to 30th September, raya Reclamation $376,134,40, Praya Reclamation, Reconstruction of Piers 380,0 m Gentral Market $222,729.59, Slaughter-Houses, Pig and Sheep Depôts $98,215,04, Cattle Dépôts $15.04961;** Water and Drainage Works 1751,897,92, Gaol Extension $139,381.63. Total, $1.702.688 Balance on 30th September
89:368.773.
THE PLANS OF THE NEW law courts. The
DIENOTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS→ By Your Excellency's directions I beg to lay on the table the plans of the proposed New Law Courts. The architects require some further information before completing certain architec. Lural details, which information will be for warded in due course. The general arrange. ment of the courte was approved by the Chief Justice and the other officials concerned some time ago, to whom the original sketches were at your Excellenoy's suggestion submitted. Certain alterations and improvements were suggested by the officials who have to occupy the buildings, and these have all been attended to. I think in a satisfactory manner by the architect. The ground plan has been approved, and consequently there is no reason why there should be any delay in proceeding with the foundations, which I think can be commenced early in the coming
убат.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
·HIS EXONILENÖT THE GOVERNOR- item would the honourable gentleman that the auth be taken from pa
The Hon TH, WHITEHEAD From the total and ad
The amendment was put and lost. ( The Hon. T. H, WHITEHEAD, in reply to His Excellency, said he did not wish the names to be taken, but he subsequently added: I desire to have my dissent reocrded.
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR -Your dis- sent is recorded as a matter of course in the min- utes of the Council. Really you can only record u dissent by asking for a division and showing that you are in a minority. Unfortunately this is passed now: I asked if you wished for a division and you said no,
money proposed to be voted is 160 Vioperly Sp. plied, as there are many very urgent did most important public works omitted which demand immediate attention and should be provided for The notital manata available at the end of 1900 for "Public Works Extraordinary" Is the His UxonLLENCY the GOVERNOR“ said” it estimated surplus on 31st proximo, say 8400,000,||would be necessary for some particular item to plus the estimated surplur revenue over the be picked out for reduction o ordinary expenditure during next year, say The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD - Then I pro- $436.000, or an aggregate of $830,000 Ac pose that the vote of $20,000 for new Law cording to the Estimates, there is only to be Courts be reduced to $19,930. expended during 1900 the sum of $331;100 on Public Works Extraordinary. I think the Government would have been fully justifed (in asking the Council' to sauction the ex- penditure of my 8500,000 or oven $600,000. The public works are, in order of their importance and urgeney, latrines shelter for chair-coolies at the Peak, the speedy extension of our means of obtaining, storing, and distributing water, a Post Office, &o. The latrines should be put in hand and finished be before the end of next year. I earnestly urge that a vote be taken for the full amount re- quisite to complete them during 1900. In reply to a question in connection with jerry buildings put to the honourable Director of honourable member said: "I have read the Public Works ou the 4th of October last, the articles referred to and think there is found tion for the allegations. The powers possessed 15 of 1889 aud 25 of 1891. An officer of the by my department are defined in the Ordinances Department, assisted by an overseer, inspoots amount of such work in the Colony at present building works in progress. The exceptional makes an increase in the staff necessary if this ed. The matter is engaging the attention of work of supervision is to be thoroughly perform
the Government.”
The HON. T. H. WHITEHEAD—I was un aware that it would deprive me of recording my dissent as I have a right to do under the standing rules.
matter of fact your dissent is recorded by your His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR—AST: observations, but the way to record a dissant by asking for a division.
lay on the table a statement of my reasons for The HON. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I desire to dissenting.
know whether we can receive those reasons.
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR-I do not
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-In accordance ber dissenting from the opinion of the majority with Rule 32 of the Standing Orders any mem may if he wishes have his dissent recorded and the reason of his dissent.
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR-Oh cer
THE MERCHANT, SHIPPING BILL, The Colonial SECRETARY-In the absence of the Acting Attorney-General I beg to lay on the table the report of the Standing Law Com- mittee on the Merchant Shipping Bill. An ex-
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (inter- amination of this report will show that many is not in order. At the present moment there tainly, you are quite right. Is there any other rupting)-I am afraid the honourable member amendments have been suggested by the commit is no proposal as to the increase of the staff in observation with regard to the items on page too. Those amendments will be formally moved by the Acting Attorney-General when the Bill question before the Council, and I do not think 2 P is again brought before the Council. In the any member of the Council would be in order meantime it is thought advisable to let hon-in proposing an increase in that staff or in the ourable members have some time to consider
vote referring to it. iese amendments.
FIRST READINGS.
The following Bills were read a first-time :- 'Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend and consolidate the law relating to the carriage and possession of arms and ammunition. A Bill entitled The New Territories Land Court Or dinance, 1899,
THE INSANITARY PROPERTIES BILL PASSED.
On the motion of the COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the COLONIAL TREASURER, the Bill entitled an Ordinance to make further pro- vision for the sanitation of the colony and to répéal sertain ensotments of the Closed Houses - and Insanitary Dwellings Ordinance, 1894, was
read a third time and passed.
-THE ESTIMATES:
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD—I do not pro- pose an increase.
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR Did you not propose an increase in the staff ?
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-No. HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR- I beg your pardon. What is your proposal then?
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-My amend ment is that this vote on "Pablic Works Extraordinary" be referred back to the depart ments concerned for reconsideration and to be remodelled.
His EXCELLENCY the Governor-The committes accepted this Bill ye to day and I question whether without the permission of the Council you can propose now that it be referred back to the committee. You can propose that any vote be deleted or reduced.
The Council went inte semmittee on the Bill The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I proposed entitled an “Ordinance to apply a sum not ex- that it be referred back to the departments con- seeding two million six hundred and eighty-cerned not to the Finance Committee. one thousand and fifty-one dollars to the Public Service of the year 190.
The various items were read over by the Acting Clerk of Councils.
HIS EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR-We will take the items seriatim if any honourable mem. bot wish to make any observation with regard to any of them. Do not take one item and then go back to another. Is there any on the first page
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD—With re- gard to "Public Works Extraordinary" I beg to more that the vote in the 1930 Estim-
for Public Works Extraordinary" be raförred bank to the Departments concerned for reconsideration and to be remodelled. When in Finance Committee yesterday I moved a like resolution but found no support. I now feel it
duty to invite the opinion of Your Excel longy and of this Council on the questions I spite of the explanations the Treasurer's Financial Retaras their amended form which 2000m- panded the "Draft Estimates are to me still sannot be two different balk
liabilities on 31st Decam
lement of the Appro- tponed until these abmit that the
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His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOE held that this would not be in order, adding that if any honourable member had any concrete proposi- tion to make or a proposal to reduce the vote before the Council it was in order to propose that reduction.
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The Hon. T. H. WHITEHAO-I abide by your ruling. I therefore propose that the words Post Office" be substitúted for " Law Courts" in the first item under the head "Public Works Extraordinary." A new Post Office is more urgently needed than new Law Courts.
Hi EXCELLENCI the GOVERNOR—I think you can do that. I am not quite certain about it, but I will give the honourable member the benefit of the doubt and put his proposition to the Council. Of course the honourable member will understand that the result of the oarrying of his proposition would be that the new Law Courta would disappear from the Estimates.
T'he amendment was put to the vote and lost. Answering His ExOBULENCY the GOVERNOR the Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD ssid he did not wish the names to be taken.
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The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD—I propose that the vote for ~ Public Works Extraordiu- ary" be redmowd by $100, as I am not satisfied with the appropriation of the money as it stands in the Bill:
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There being no response, the Conneil resumed.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-If there is no objection, and as there has been no material al- teration in this Bill in committee, 1 propose to move the third reading to-day. Your Ex- cellency will remember that the Bill wÀS - brought before the Council some time ago and the discussion of it was delayed in order to enable the unofficial members to have full' op- portunity of considering, the various items. D think we are all agreed that every opportunity has been afforded them. Therefore, if there is no objection, I propose the third reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinauce to apply a sam not exceeding two million six hundred and eighty-one thousand six hundred and fifty-one dollars to the Public Service of the year 1900.
ADJOURNMENT.
The Connol then adjourned until Thursday next,
HELP FOR· BUFFERERS FROM THE WAR. Before leaving the room His EXCELLENOT the GOVERNOR said-I have sent round" "the" Council table an advertisement which I proposé tish residents to come together on Monday next to have inserted in the local press asking Bri-
at 12 o'clock for the purpose of considering more fully the question of making a collection for the widows and orphans of our soldiers and sailors who fall in the war. This movement has been inaugurated by the China Mail, which but it was thought it would be better if the is to be congratulated for its patriotic move,
representative British inhabitants could be called together to make arrangements for the tion, most of whom will no doubt be glad to more complete canvassing of the British popula- contribute: I shall be glad to have the oppor- tanity of seeing most of you on Monday at 12a o'clock.
MEETING OF THE FINANCE -
COMMITTEE.
Immediately after the Council meeting meeting of the Finance Committee was held, the Colonial Secretary (the Hon, J. H. Stewart o Lockhart) presiding.
The CHAIRMAN said he had only one minute bring before the committee that day, and that was one in which the Governor rood in- sended the council to vote a sum of $1,500 in of the vote “* Maintenance of Watchworks,