July 20, 1901.]
In the next minute the Governor recommend- ed the Council to vote a sum of $283.41, being amount due to the Crown Agents for expenses incurred in connection with the selection of the three lightkeepers for Waglan Island Light- house.
The CHAIRMAN-As the honourable members doubtless know, the Government recently took over the Waglan Lightheuse from the Chinese Government, and in order to maintain the Lighthouse properly it is necessary to have the services of three lighthouse-keepers. The sum in question was increased in connection with the obtaining of such services.
The vote was agreed to.
In the next minute the Governor recom: mended the Council to vote a sum of $210 to defray, during the current year, the salary of an additional quartermaster and a seaman for the steam tender Stanley :-
*
Salary of Quartermaster from 1st June to 31st December, 1901, at $16 per month,
Salary of Seaman from 1st June to 31st December, 1901, at $14 per month,
Total......
$112.00
98.00
$210.00
The CHAIRMAN-It has been found that the crew of the Stanley is not sufficient, and that an additional quartermastor and zeaman are necessary.
The vote was agreed to.
In the next minute the Governor recom-
mended the Council to vote a sum of $7,120 for the erection of a derrick, &c., on a new sito at Gap Rock
..$6,500.00
(1) Formation of site for new derrick, new path and improvement of site of existing derrick, (2) Dock Company's tender for new jib for existing derrick and for removal, of oxisting derrick to new site,
620.00
Total
$7.120.00 The CHAIRMAN-Considerable difficulty has been experienced in the past in landing at Gap Rock, so I am informed by those whose duties call them there. It is hoped that by the erection of a new derrick at Gap Rock, landing will be facilitated. If the Committee, recommend this vote the work will be be put in hand without any delay.
The vote was agreed to. The CHAIRMAN said the Government next recommended the Council to vote a sum of $156 to cover the wages of two Chinese watchmen for Waglan Island Lighthouse from 16th June to 31st December, 1901 at $12 per month each. The CHAIRMAN-This is part of the staff found necessary for the maintenance of the Lighthouse.
The vote was agreed to.
In the next minute the Government recom- mended the Counéil to vote a sum of $6,000 to cover the cost of the improvement in lighting the approaches to the Harbour of Hongkong, during the current year.
The CHAIRMAN Hon, members will recollect that some time ago this question was brought before the Council by the Hon. R. M. Gray, who has recently gone home, and a number of papers in connection with it were laid on the table. Since then the matter has been referred home, and the Government is now in a position to proceed with the work-a work which I understand the commercial community here regard as very desirable. I feel sure, there- core, that the Committee will be ready to re- fommend this vote. The scheme is to move D'Aguilar light to Green Island, and Green Island light to Collinson. The expenditure in connection with the carrying out of that work will be $13,000. Of that sum, $6,000 is now required, and will be expended this year. The other $7,000 will be required early next
year.
The vote was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN said-The Governor recom. mends the Council to vote a sum of $101.01 in aid of the vote for the construction of an armoury for the Police. Some time ago o vote was taken for the constraction of this armoury, but it was found to be insufficient, and..another vote is necessary to cover the expense.
❘
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
The vote was agreed to.
The CHAIRMAN said that in the next minute the Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $650 to cover the salary of an additional overseer for the Public Works Department from 16th June to 31st December, 1901, at $10 per mensem,
The vote was agreed to.
In the next minute the Governor recom- mended the Council to vote a sum of $4,760 to cover the cost of training and diverting the nullah in the vicinity of the Tram Station.
The CHAIRMAN-The Director of Public Works informs me that the diversion of this nullah will help to improve the neighbourhood, and render land available for building. |
Hon. J. THURBURN-Where is it to be diverted to?
ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-The course of the nullah is at present a very irregu. lar one, and instead of allowing it to flow as it will be diverted underneath the tramway into the Albany Nullah. We need not disturb the tramway, as there is a bridge which the nullah can pass under.
now,
The vote was agreed to.
The last minute was one in which the Gov- ernor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $200 in aid of the vote “Repairs to Epidemic Hulk Hygeia."
65
patients leaving colony and returning home. Venice Convention did not contemplate such circumstances as these. Majority of Hong. kong Chinese have homes and families in neighbouring provinces, where they go when sick. Prohibition irritates people, producing no effect. Persons suffering from pingue leave before the disease is apparent, whilst thousands healthy people had already left for fear of detention if taken ill. It is estimated that one-third population had already left. If prohibition is still adhered to, epidemic does, not abate, exodus likely to continue. Business injured; local industries virtually stopped. Attorney General advises that Venica Convention not binding on colony.” ́
In consequence of their representations the Governor sent the following additional messago to the Secretary of State on the 28th June:
44
Referring to my telegram of yesterday. deputation of Chamber of Commerce has just waited upon me with similar request and emphasize fact that Venice Convention is not in force in Hongkong." Probably nothing would be done now, as the plague was waning rapidly, but he thought their representation's would have a good effect for the future.
THE SANITATION OF THE COLONY. A letter having been received on the 13th June from the Colonial Secretary, in reply to the Chamber's letter of the 7th idem on the
The vote was agreed to. This was all the business; all the votes having above subject, in the course of which it was been unanimously agreed to.
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,
At the monthly meeting of the General Committee of Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, held in the Board Room, Hongkong and Shanghai Bank, on Tuesday, the 9th July, 1901, at 4 p.m.-Presont: Sir Thomas Jackson (Chairman), Mr. C. S. Sharp (Vice-Chairinan), Hon. J. J. Ball-Irving, Messrs. A. Haupt, W. Poate, R. L. Richardson, H. A. Ritchie, N. A. Siebs, H. E. Tomkins. Hou. T. H. Whitehend (ex officio), and R. C. Wilcox (Secretary).
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous monthly meeting (held 11th June) were road and confirined. THE PROHIBITION OF
IMMIGRATION FROM
HONGKONG INTO STRAITS SEITLEMENTS.
assumed that the committes had hastily accepted reckless and exaggerated statements that "had appeared from tim to time in the public Press, It was decided to reply and express the Chamber's regret at finding the Governor took mittee, to assure His Excellency that their exception to the attitude adopted by the Com- action was not dictated by any spirit of carping criticism, but was animated by a sincere desire to strengthen the hands of the Government. Also to point out that there was nothing in the Chamber's letter to justify the assumption by H.E. that the Committee believed in the truth of any "exaggerated statements.” letter was despatched on the 24th June.
Read letter from Colonial Secretary, date/l 6th July, in reply to the abova,
This
After an expression of opinion that the last paragraph dealing with the death rate of Hong- kong was based on an entirely mistaken calculation, since the population of the Colony A letter was received from the Colonial is of a constantly shifting charactor and is Secretary, under date 20th June, in reply to mainly composed of male adults who in most the Chamber's letter of the 6th idem, stating cases go home to die, and could not therefore that H. E. the Governor, after first appeal bo compared with the death rato of cities of the ing to the Government of the
Straits United Kingdom, Settlements, had approached the Secretary of Stato for the Colonies with the request that the prohibition against coolie immigration might be relaxed, and received a reply, on the 18th June, to the effect that, in view of the serious character of the epidemic, it was cou sidered better that the prohibition should remain until the views of the Governor of the Straits Settlements had been considered.
On the 24th June receipt of this letter was acknowledged and the thanks of the Committee tendered to H.E. the Governor for the prompt action taken in the matter, which, it was hoped, would result in the eventual withdrawal of the prohibition.
Copies of the Government's letter of the 20th June were forwarded, with a covering letter, to all the firms who signed the letter of the 3rd June requesting the Chamber to take up the question.
THE VENICE 'CONVENTION AND THE DEPAR
TURE OF SICK CHINESE FROM HONGKONG.
It was decided to publish the correspondence. THE MEDICAL INSPECTION OF PASSENGERS, 3rd July. transmitting copy of a letter from Road letter from Colonial Secretary, dated Dr. Swan, Acting Health officer of the Port, in which he traversed the statements made in Mr. Ritchie's letter to the Chamber on the above subject.
Also read rejoinder from Mr. Ritchie robut, ting the statements made by Dr. Swan, and enclosing lotters from Capt. Vibert, com
ander of the s.s. "Cromandel," and from Capt. Denny, of the 88. Ballaurat; iu support of and confirming the details given by him in his letter of the 17th May.
It was decided to forward copies of these letters to the Government with a covering letter in reply, but not to publish the corres- pondence on account of its length.
QUARANTINE.
Read letters from Government, dated 26th The CHAIRMAN said that the deputation, June, 1st July, and 8th July, announcing, consisting of Messrs. Ritchie, Poate, and him-respectively, the imposition of quarantine at self, waited on the Governor ou the 27th June Weihaiwei for ten days on arrivals from to lay the views of the Committee on the Hongkong; of the imposition of quarantine at question of permitting sick Chinese to go to Foochow on arrivals from Hongkong, Swatow their homes on the mainland. They found and Amoy: and stating that though there were His Excellency quite in sympathy with them still cases of plague at Foochow city, Pagoda on the subject, and be informed them that he Anchorage is now free from the discase.. had that day despatched the following telegram to the Secretary of State for the Colonies:-
1
TELEGRAM FROM GOVERNOR TO SECRETARY OF STATE.
**
THE TARIFF QUESTION AND THE CHINESE
INDEMNITY..
Read letter, dated 17th May, from the London' Chamber of Commerce forwarding copy of let- 26th June,tars received from the Foreign Office to the Referring to my telegrams of 30th May | effect, that the question of the increase of the and 14th June, unofficial members of Council Customs Tariff in China as a means of raising request me to transmit following telegram -the funds required for payment of the indem- We support appeal from Chinese and from nities was receiving careful consideration at the Viceroy applying for permission for plague hands of His Majesty's Government,