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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND will see, on the orders of the day. The bill is of some importance, and I don't quite know what effect it will have on Chinese dentists' practice. I don't think, Sir, it should be hurried through until the recommendations made by the Standing Law Committee have been considered. The bill is important as affecting the qualifications of dentists, and possibly affecting Chinese dentists. I would suggest that the third reading be deferred.
His EXCELLENCY-No motion has been made to read the bill a third time to-day.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-The Hon. Attorney. General moved that the bill be read a third time. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I said "and that thereafter the bill be read a third time." That does not mean to-day. I will withdraw my motion for the adoption of the report, and will move its adoption at next meeting.
QUESTIONS.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT asked the following questions standing in his name :-
1.
With reference to the Draft Supple mentary Colonial Estimates giving a compara- tive statement of the Estimated and Actual Expenditure of the Colony for the year 1905 as presented to the Legislative Council at the fast meeting, will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary state what saving, if any, has been effected in the personal emoluments of the Civil Service during that period?
3. On what rate were the Estimates bised, and at what rate or rates were payments mide.
The COLONIAL TREASURER replied as follows:-
430, case of persons absent from the Colony at the date of the commencement of the Ordinance, shall make such application within six weeks after his 'return to the Colony; or The committee had under their consideration the fact that there were, probably are, at this time and will be when the Ordinance comes into opération persons who have practised dentistry in the Colony but who are temporarily absent. They ought to be permitted to return to the Colony to practice if they desire to do so. The object of this clause is to safeguard the rights of those who are absent and desire to return. The committee after consideration came to the conclusion that three year was a fair and reasonable limit to place on the right of a person who had once practised in Hongkong to return to practice in order to prevent himself from being disqualified. Any person therefore who has practised in Hongkong prior to the passing of this Ordinance and who desires to come back to practice must exercise that privilege within three years from the passing of this Ordinance. Sub-section 3 of clause nine is also recommended for amendment by the addition at the end thereof of the words " and, in the case of such diplomas as have been granted after the 1st day of October, 1897, shall in addition produce a Certificate granted by the Dental Council of Pennsylvania, or by the State Board of Massachussetts, or by the State Board of Michigan which entitles him to practise 2. Is the saving entirely due to the difference dental surgery in any of those States; or ". in the rate of exchange between that calculated The object of putting in those additional words is on in the Estimates and the rate at which to make sure that the privilege which this Coun-payment was made, or if to other causes, whil -cil is extending to dentists who do not possess causes ?
& qualificat on recognised by the Medical Coun- We are cil of England will not be abused. giving by this bill the dentists who have a qualification by way of a diploma from certain universities in America, namely, the Universities of l'ennsylvania, Harvard and Michigan, the right of being placed on the register of persons qualified to practice dentistry in the Colony. If in addition to the possession of a mere academic degree such dentist satisfies the Dentists' Board that he possesses a certificate from a state board or state council of the United States of America, he will be qualified to practice. That provision was inserted in the bill under a recommendation by some of the dentists of Hongkong, and I recom- mend it. The concession is valued by them, and they desire that those who bereafter take advantage of it shall bare the right to practice in Hongkong. It was pointed out to me that mere diploma was not sufficient, Int in addition it was necessary to pass a further examination of a practical character and thereby obtain a certificate from a state board. That accoril. ingly is made part of the provisions of the bill, and it will meet with the approval of the Council. Clause 10, sub-clause I., it is also desired to amend by striking out the words "or as near thereto a circumstances will permit." This claue provides for the form of the diploma or certit. cate, and the committee came to the conclusion that the form given in the bill should be adhered to rigidly. The twelfth clause of the bill it is proposed to amend by striking out the proviso at the end and substituting the following in its place: Provided that the Governor-in-Conn oil shall have power to restore to the Dentists Register after an interval of not less than twelve months from the date of such removal the name of any person which has been removed under the provinious of this or of the preo ding section. That proviso is given in order to prevent any hardship that might arise from the striking off the register of a person's name. The fourteenth clause, sub-clause 2, it is recommended to amend by adding the word "Or." This is neces- sary to supply a clerical
1. The saving effected in Per onal Emolu- ments during 19 amounts to $262,385.
2. Practically this saving is due to the differ- ence between the rate of exchange fixed for the Estimates and that at which payment was made. 3. The average rate for the year at which payment was made was 18. 11d. The Estimates were framed at the rate of 18. 84.
NAVAL AND MILITARY WORKS.
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The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to authorize the construction and maintenance of · certain Naval and Military Works upon and over certain portions of the Crown foreshore and sea bed situate upon the harbour froutage of the City of Victoris, in this Colony,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and this was agreed to.
ASYLUMS BILL.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled au Ordinance to provide for the establishment of asylums for the custody and care of persons of unsound mind. and others. He said.The object of this Ordinance is to provide for the establish ment of asylums and authorise and legalise the retention therein of persons whose state of mind renders them unable to take care of themselves. At present and for some time persons of un- sound mind, commonly called fanatics, have been detained under the Common Law power (which provides for the detention of any person
who is unable to take care of himself and
omission. The next recommendation is the rectification of the Agures of the year, making 1996 instead of 1905 Then there is a final recommenda- tion that a further clause shall be added, making the Ordinance come into operation | on a day thereafter to be fixed by the Governor. That is added to the bill so as to give persons a reasonable time witbin which to register. I beg to move that the recommendations of the Law Committee on the Dentists' Bill be adopted by this Council, and that thereafterwards we proceed to read the bill a third time.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Sir, I rise to object to the bill for dentistry being read a third time to-day. It is not, as your Excellency
pre-
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[June 16, 1906.
and placed in the asylum for observation. I think the "Bill will be found useful and elect the object we have in view.
The COLONIAL Spcretary seconded, this was agreed to.
The ATTORNet General moved that Council resolve itself into committee.
The COLONIAL Secretary seconded," And this was agreed to.
On the Council resuming,
His EXCELLENCY reported that the Bill had passed through committee with certain amend ments.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL- The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the third reading of the Bill entitled an Ordin- ance to authorize the appropriation of
of two supplementary som
hundred and seventy-eight thousand four hundred and twelve dollars and eight cente, to defray the charges of the year 1905. He said-This Bill has passed through the Finance Committee and I have reported that that Committee recommend- ed that the Bill may be dealt with in the semA O manner as a Bill recommended by a committee of the whole Council. There has been no material alteration in the Bill and in these dit, cumstances it may be read a third time an passed if no member objects.
There being no objection,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the third reading of the Bill.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the Bill was passed.
THE MARRIED WOMEN'S PROPERTY BILL. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the third reading of the bill entitled an Ordinance to amond the law relating to the property of married women. He said-The Council will remember I recently brought up the report of the Law Committee to which this Bill had been referred. It was recommended that it be dealt with as a Bill that had been considered by the whole Council as a committee according to the standing rules, the Bill not having been amended or altered in committee.
The COLONIAL Ɛ KCEETARY 5oConded, and the Bill was passed.
His
EXCLLENCY-The Council stands. adjourned till Thursday, June 21st.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Finance Committee was held afterwards--the Colonial Secretary presid- ing. The following votes were passed :
GOVERNMENT CIVIL HOSPITAL.
The Governor recommended the Council to' re-vote a sum of two thousand one hundred agd.” sixty-four dollars (32,164) in aid of the vote- Public Works Extraordinary, Buildings:-1 Government Civil Hospital-Extension to Staff Quarters,
POLICE AND PRISON DEPARTMENTS. The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) in aid of the vote, Police and Prison Depart ments, A-Police Other Charges, for the following items:
Meals for Prisouers in Cells, Secret Service.
Total VOLUNTEERS.
$400 800
$1,000
The Governor recommended the Council to rote a sum of three thousand three hundred and seventy-five dollars and seventy-nine cents (83 375.79) in aid of the vote, Military Ex- penditure, B.- Volunteers Other Charges, Rifles and Equipment.
MEDICAL D' PARTMENTS.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of one thousand six hundred dollars, ($1.600) in aid of the vote, Medical Departments, Other Charges, B.-Hospitals and” Asylums, Civil Hospital : Washing,
vent him from doing mischief to others. It bas now been considered better to get legislative authority to do that which has been done under Common Law authority. The Bill authorises the Governor to establish from time to time asylums in which persons of unsound mind can be taken care of. The Bill provides that the Governor shall appoint visitors to the asylums who are to make reports from time to time as they deem necessary concerning the asylums. It will be observed that the Bill contains a useful provision by which a person can be detained for observation for a short time, seven days, and if necessary he can be detained for a further period to prolong the bservation. Under the provisions of the Bill a per- can only be detained under the
magistrate
under authority the authority in certain onses of the judge of the Supreme Court The Bill further contains provisions nousual and I think useful which will be approved of by the Council, that a person taken to the Government Civil Hospital suffer- the floor! ing from delirium tremens or should he develop delirium tremens in the hospital may be taken ' that.
son
of
or
POST OFFICE.
The Governor recommended the Coqucil to vote a sum of four hundred and seventy dollars (8470) in aid of the vote, Post Office, A.-Hong- kong Post Office, Other Charges, for the following items:--
Contingencies
8.50 Reat of a foor
Total
$470
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-What is the rent of
The COLONIAL SECRETARY --Twelve times
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