December 16, 1899.] -
“HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
On Thursday afternoon a meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber at the Government Offices, there being present:-
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir Henry Blake G.C.M.G.).
His EXCELLENCY Major-General GASC SIGNE C.M.G. (Commanding the Troops).
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G., (Colonial Secretary).
Hon. H. E. POLLOCK (Acting Attorney- General).
Hon. R, MUERAY RUMSEY (Harbour Master). Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Captain Super- intendent of Police).
Hon. A, M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. C. P. CHATEE, C.M.G.
Hon. Dr. Ho Kai
Hon. T. H WHITEHEAD.
Hon, E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.
Hon. WEI A YUK.
Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of Coun- oils).
THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE OCCUPATION
-
OF THE NEW TERRITORY.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The COLONIAL Secretary—In reply to the first question I have the honour to reply :-- (1) No such exclusive privilege or monopoly as is referred to in the question of the Honourable Member has been granted. (2) A Crown Rent land surrounding Ping Chau off the Fast has been fixed for a limited extent of Crown coast of Lantao used by the manufacturers of lime on Ping Chan, and leases for short terms granted to them at Crown Rents amounting to $1,300 per annum, under the general instruc- tions of the Secretary of State. The reply to the second question is:-The Government has no knowledge of any such agreement or ar- rangement.
FIRST READINGS,
The following Bills were read a first time:~ A Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Companies Ordinance, 1877.
A Bill entitled an Ordinance to provide for the summoning of Chinese before the Registrar- General.
THE
DANGEROUS GOODS ORDINANCE. The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL was about to propose the second reading of the Bill en- titled an Ordinance to amend the Dangerous Goods Ordinance, 1873, when
The COLONIAL Secreta&Y said-Before we The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have the proceed any further with this matter, I should honour to lay on the table despatches with re- like to draw the attention of the Council to the ference to the service rendered by the Hong. fact hat a letter has been received from the kong Volunteers in the occupation of the New Chamber of Commerce on behalf of people in this Territory. With reference to the correspond-colony requesting that this Bill be not pro- ence between the Secretary of State for War and the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a letter has been received from the General Officer Commanding enclosing despatch from the Secretary for War. It is being printed and will be laid on the table in due course.
FINANCIAL.
&
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table Financial Minute No. 27 and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was carried.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table report of the Finance Committee (No. 11) and moved its adoption.
The COLONIAL Treasurer secouded and the motion was carried,
QUESTIONS.
The Hon T. H. WHITEHEAD-Pursuant to notice I beg to ask the question which is No. 3 on the agenda.
The question was as follows "With reference Government Notifications Nos: 653 and 654 of 25th instant, will the Hon. ourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council whether the Sanitary Board in future is to be constituted in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance No 24 of 1887, sections 4 and 5, and if the nominated members are as formerly to be unofficial members of the civil coni- munity ?"
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-In reply to the honourable member I beg to answer as follows: The Sanitary Board will be constituted under the provisions of Ordinances 24 of 1887 and 9 of 1895. The Governor has nominated, in addi- tion to Mr. Osborne, Major Brown, R.A.M.C.. Messrs: Fung Wa Chuen, Chan A. Fook, and the Medical Officer of Health.
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-Your Excel- lenoy having given me permission, I beg to put another question, viz.:-" With reference to the leading article in the Hongkong Telegraph of 11th inst., will the Hon. The Colonial Secre- tary inform the Council whether the Govern- ment have granted any exclusive privilege or monopoly for the dredging for and the col lection of shells, used in the manufacture of lime, in the waters of the New Territory leased by the Convention of last year; if so, why were public teaders not invited; under what author- ity or power has the monopoly been conceded, to whom, and for what consideration ?" Another question is “Will the Hon. the Colonial Sobretary inform the Council whether any agreement or arrangement has been entered into between the Postmaster-General in Lon- dont and the Compagnie des Messageries Maritime concerning the proposed change in the day of departure from this homewards of the Company's fortnightly mail steamers, and if so, what are the forms P2?
A
ceeded with pending consideration of one clause to which special attention has been called. I think, therefore, that instead of proceeding with the second reading of the Bill to-day, it will be better to postpone it until the point to which the attention of the Government has been called has received further consideration
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said he would agree to this.
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I beg to move as an amendment that the Bill in question be referred to the Law Committee for further consideration and report. A number of amend- ments and suggestions have reached me a few minutes before coming into the Council, and I think the time of the Council would be saved and business would be facilitated if the matter was referred to the Standing Law Committee.
|
{
The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-I beg to second that amendment. This is a most important measure, and I think it would be well to defer it for further consideration.
*
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I am prepared to accept the amendment of the honourable member.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR--It is very imports it that this Bill should be passed 28 soon as possible. I quite agree that this is au important Bill and that it is desirable that it should be considered by the Standing Law Committee, but it is very impor- tant indeed that the Standing Law Committee should meet and consider it at once and let us have their report as soon as possible-if possible before the next Council meeting
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I will have the amendments suggested sent to the Law Committee without delay.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—The only ques- tion is the absence of Mr. Keswick, who is a member of the Law Committee.
The ACTINg Attorney-GENERAL-When does he come back?
The Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-1 understand next week.
HIB EXCELLENCY-Is it necessary to wait for Mr. Keswick? He is not a legal man at all.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL -The Bill would have to be read through in commit- tee of Council unless all the members of the Standing Law Committee were present. How- ever, it is only a very short Bill, and it does not make much difference.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-I do not think it very much matters. I think it is better the lawyers should get at this and consider it at once instead of waiting for Mr. Keswick.
The Bill was accordingly referred to the Standing Law Committee."
THE NEW TERRITORIES LAND COURT
ORDINANCE.
The New Territories Land Court Ordinance, „1899, passed through the committee stage
MERCHANT SHIPPING, ORDINANCE,
498
The next item in the orders of the day was:- Third reading of the Bill entitled an Ordin. ance to consolidate and amend the laws relating
Meronant Shipping, the duties of the Har- the waters of the colony, and the regulation of our Master, the control and management of vessels navigating the same.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENEBAL
moyo
honourable members will see, I propose to that this Bill be recommitted for the purpose of making certain farther amendments. There has been circulated to honourable members a list of those amendments which I propose to make, but in addition there are two small amendments which
propose to make upon the recommitment of the Bill. The points dealt with are important, and it is desirable we should get the Bill in the best possible shape. I move that the Bill be recommitted.
the motion was carried.
The COLONIAL SECEITARY Seconded, and
ADJOURNMENT.
The Council then adjourned until Thursday of next week.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council the Colonia Secretary presiding.
$
The CHAIRMAN-There is only one minute to bring before the committee, and in that minute "The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of one thousand and two hundred dollars in aid of the vote Incidental Expenses, Sanitary Department." In connec. tion with that vote the Secretary of the Sani- tary Board reports that this vote, which is for $3,40 ), had a large call upon it in the early part of the year on accout of the outbreak of rinderpest, $663 being so expended. There has also been an unusually heavy bill for repairs to dust carts, viz, $730, and a further sum of $250 will be required for carts now being repaired.
The vote was agreed to and the committee adjourned.
|
SUPREME COURT.
11th December,
IN SUMMARY JURISDICTION.
BEFORE HIS HONOUR MR, A. G. WISE:
(PUISNE JUDGE).
SUIT BY A BARMAID,
Rosa Ah Sue, formerly barmaid at the Stag Hotel, sought to recover from the proprietor, Chow Chee Kwai, $270 damages for wrongful dismissal and for breach of agreement made on July 1st, 1899, whereby defendant agreed to employ plaintiff as barmaid for a term of 10 calender mouths, at the monthly wage of $45,
Mr. Mounsey appeared for plaintiff and Mr Hursthouse for defendant.
The case had been adjourned from the 7th inst, for a settlement.
At the previous hearing Mr. Arthur, Justices' Clerk at the Magistracy, gave evidence, having been subponed on behalf of defendant. He produced the record of licensing, and said there was an application from the Stag Hotel for the renewal of a license, but on Nov. 15th the ap- plication was refused. There was no personal objection to the applicant. He produced a letter dated Nov. 16th which he had received from Messrs. Deacon and Hastings on behalf of defendant stating that the barmaids had been got rid of. On Nov. 28th a fresh application was made and was granted.
Since the adjournment $137.50 has been paid into court and Mr. Hursthouse submitted that under the circumstances this was reasonable compensation.
His Lordship, however, considered that plain. tiff was entitled to the full amount and gave judgment accordingly with costs.
A similar claim against defendant by Baby Dwyer was similarily dealt with.
Chow Chee Kwai sued Ruby Dwyer and Rone Ah Sue for $56:50, for the return of certain articles of furniture or the value.
This was not contested, judgment being