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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY. PRESS AND into an atmosphere of prosperity. It has carried us all with safety, regularity, aud civility for many years, and we all owe a great deal to the old Company. It would be no ultimate good to the general public if the new Company by being permitted to come to the Queen's Road and plant its terminus at the door of the old Company at the Peak ware to obtain such an advantage as to enable it to wreck the old company. In a few years we would be worse off than ever, for the tendency of the traffic is to increase all the time. I fully believe that the Government would be doing what the community will cordially endorse if they meet in a sympathetic
spirit any application they may receive
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from the old Company for privileges to meet ou fair grounds the new competition. I If the Government were to allow the old com- pany to come to the Queen's Road. it would probably solve that difficulty, aud is a conces sion which justice and public convenieure seem plainly to call for. If that is impossible. I think it only fair that we should protect the pioneer Company from being invaded at Victoria Gap.
A terminus at the umbrella seat. on the west
It will be constructed, as far as possible to have one grade throughout, and the cars and machinery will alike be of the newest type The promoter proposes to offer the shares of the Company to the public, but if not taken up by them, he is prepared to finance the work himself. This being a private hill, has to be introduced by an unofficial member, and has been entrusted to me for the purpose. The particulars just stated were supplied to me by the promoter, but I would like now, with Your Excellency's permission, to give my opinion on the project. I feel strongly that it is calculated to prove a public benefit. and for the following among other reasons. When the existing Peak tramway
constructed it supplied great want but did not immediately secure a large traffic. It created it, however, by de. grees by giving access to a district in which a population soon gathered in consequence. A similar result will, I am confident. follow the construction of the proposed new line. At one time Caine Road was the principal residential European quarter, but the Chinese are gradual- ly finding their way up to that level and the Europeans have to climb further. To these side of Mount. Austin Barracks would give the higher levels in the centre of the city there is, new company the whole of the Conduit Road, I submit, only indifferent means of access. The Robinson Road, and Queen's Gardens district. residents there are absolutely dependent on the and the monopoly of the western half of the caprices of the chair coolie, and this useful Peak, which under the circumstances seems a servant has of late years proved very exacting fair division. That the old company did not and fickle. The new line will relieve the resid. at the time of its formation make a stipulation ents on all the upper levels in the central dis- that no opposition line should be placed along. tricts from that dependence and will also render side of it for say 25 years (which it might have accessible other sites, perhaps on a higher level obtained) is a matter which commends it to yet. There is, Sir. ample room for this new enter our consideration at the present juncture prise, and looking a little into futurity I venture should not now suffer for its forbearance then. to prophesy that it will some time be followed It seems probable that in the ultimate adjust- by a third tramway giving direct access to the ment of the various interests involved the Magazine Gap district, and a fourth starting War Department will have a considerable from the Queen's Road West tapping Bonham It is comforting to know that we have a pro- Road. Upper Robinson Road and running upgressive and liberal-minded General Officer to the new road lately made to go round High Commanding, who will, I am sure. help things West: I have faith in the development of the along as far as possible, provided that military - The Go- Colony, and I do not hesitate to predict that the efficiency is not interfered with proposed new line will not only make for itselfvernment will. I hope, be able to steer a a large and remunerative traffic, but that it middle course between undue protection of will do so without injury to the existing line. 1 vested interest and doing anything to With these remarks. Sir. I beg to propose the deter other investors from undertaking a second reading of this bill.
new and desirable enterprise. Were this question, debated at honie. it is possible that both companies would be represented by an array of counsel, and the money of the share- holders be diverted largely into the hands of the lawyers. In leaving the matter in the hands of the Government (for it depends on the official vote whether this Bill goes through or not) both Companies have shown wisdom, for the Govern- ment accept a responsibility which. I am sure, they will discharge for the best of the public interest, which is to have both tramways run- ning in an efficient and contented spirit. Before we go into Committes ou this Bill it would help as to know whether the old company has for increased facilities. and if so applied whether their application has met or is likely to meet with favourable consideration.
Hon. GERSHOM STEWART-I have been asked to second the second reading of this Bill," and I do so with pleasure. I take the earliest opportunity of saying, as I have already stated to the lawyers who are acting for the promoters, that my support given firstly and chiefly to the principle of the Bill. In matters of detail I have an open mind, and I by no means assert that the 128 clauses in this lengthy Bill are all perfect and incapable of improvement. I reserve to myself the right of accepting and if need be of advocating any alteration which may appear after due consideration to improve the
measure.
I have no interest in either the old tram or the new, except as one of the travelling public. Fadvocate the construction of the new fine because I look upon any increase of mechan. Two of the ical transport as a public boon. greatest difficulties we have to contend with in this colony are the climate and the question of transport. The mountainous nature of the Island makes assistance to locomotion very desirable at any time. The climate for nine months of the year makes it for nearly all of us We are too much an imperative necessity. dependent upon our chair coolies, and they, knowing their value; make what they can out of our necessities; they are perfectly right in doing so, for theirs is a most arduous calling; but at the same time we should be entirely foolish if we did not endeavour by every means in our power to do what we can to take their yoke off our neck. It is com- monly supposed that the yoke is always on ordinary the neck of the coolie, but householder who has many coolies to provide finds that he also has a heavy burden to bear.. The whole of the residents of aine Road, Robinson Road, Conduit Road and Queen's Gardens will be benefited by this tram, and if a family can save $20 or $30 a month it will be a very acceptable-saving. It would go far towards helping a man to educate one of his children. In advocating the new line I by no means for- get the debt we all owe to the o'd Company This Company has done its work right well, and after surviving great difficulties during the early years of its existence has now emerged
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H.E THE GOVERNOR :-I will inform the hon, member who seconded the motion that the old company has asked to be allowed to extend their line through Crown land to the Queen's Road, and their request is under consideration. I would also point out to him that though the old company's rights are peculiarly affected they have not petitioned to be heard by this Council in connection with the new Bill,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL:-I beg to move, in view of the voluminous nature of this Bill, and in view of the many legal technical points which will arise for consideration when the clauses are gone through, that the Bill be referred to the Law Committee.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. The motion was agreed to.
THE IMBECILE PERSONS BILL.
Hon. ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Imbecile Persons Introduction Ordinance, 19(3.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-In seconding the motion for the third reading of this Bill, I would like, Sir, to remind the Council that on the third reading being proposed at the last meeting of this Council the hon. member for the Chamber of Commerce dissented and you. Sir, thereupon postponed the third reading of the Bill. The ground upon which the hon. member dissented was that Chinese imbeciles
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November 5, 1904.
were excluded from the operation of the Bill, and you, Sir, explained at the time that this was done to meet the views of the Chamber of Commerce. Since that mealing, by your Excellency's direc tion. I addressed a letter to the Chamber of Commerce in which I reminded them of the representation received from their former representative, Mr. H. E. Pollock, in which the Government were urged to exclude Chinese imbeciles from the operation of this Bill. I also drew their attention to the fact that the third reading of the Bill had been post- poned owing to the opposition of their repre- sentative present in this Council, and I asked them what their wishes in this matter now were. In reply I received a communication this after- noon from the Chamber of Commerce in which they state that Mr. Pollock had acted on their instruc ions in endeavouring to obtain the ex- clusion of Chinese imbeciles from the Bill, and that the Chamber still adhered to that view of the matter..
The Bill was passed.
Hon
THE CHURCH BILL. ATTORNEY-GENERAL
the third reading of Ordinance to enable
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moved the Bill entitled An The Trustees of Saint >
John's Cathedral Church in Hongkong" to hold and deal with property for the purpose of pro- moting the work of the Church of England in Hongkong and China.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was passed/
The Council then adjourned-siue die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
A HOUSE ALLOWANCE.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of 8448.41 for house allowance from 2nd September. 1903, to 25th October, 1904, to the Assistant Surgeon acting as Medical Officer of Victoria Gaol during the absence on leave of the substantive holder of the post.
The vote was agreed to.
A
HONGKONG SANITARY
BOARD.
A meeting of the Sanitary Board was held Dr. on the 1st inst. in the Board Room. J M. Atkinson presided, and there were also pres-nt Hon. A. W. Brewin, Mr. E. A. Hewett,
Mr A. Rumjahn, Dr. P. Barnett Mr. Lau Chu Pak, Mr. Fung Wa Chun, Hon. P. N. H. Jones, Col. W. . Webb, Mr. H. E. Pollock, Dr. Macfarlane, and M. T. H. Hanmer (secretary).
The minutes of the last. meeting were con- firmed.
MINUTE BY DR. BARNÉTT,
Dr. Barnett in a minute recommended that a urinal be placed at the junction of Peak and Albany Roads. Complaints had been received of a bad smell in the neighbourhood. A number of coolies congregated in the locality. He had consulted with Dr. Pearse, and they both agreed that it would be well to build an iron stall urinal. He did not think any nuisance would be caused if there was a constant flow of water, and if a few shrubs were planted round such a structure in the open space at the junction. The Director of Public Works was of opinion that no constant supply could be obtained from & nullah. He suggested that the place be supplied from the mains, and locked up during the dry season.
The report is to be left on the table until the matter has been referred to the police, when if not remedied same can be brought up again.
DEFECTIVE DRAINAGE.
Correspondence was read from Mr. Rumjahn relative to the drainage of Nos. 58, 60 and 62 Queen's Road Central.
Dr. ATKINSON moved that the owner replace the drain with an iron pipe.
Mr. RUMJAHN-Having in view that the Sanitary Surveyor had no practical experi ence with regard to drains, and having a sub-committee of the drainage been on
discovered together with system, I have other members, not less than four systems of drainage to be defective and in contravention to the Ordinance. The contention is that had we been provided with a thoroughly competent officer, many things that have seen light to-day