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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND employed in and about buildings where such end of the Bill, and the law will assimilate that machinery is used.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
Council then resolved itself into a Committee of the whole Council to consider the Bill clause by clause
On Clause 6,
Hon. Mr. GRESSON asked if due notice of an inspection would be given to manufacturers, as otherwise it might stop a few days' work.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The engineers will inspect in the same way as steam launches and steamers are inspected.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON Some launches and steamers remain out of work for about 36 hours during an inspection. In the case of the Cotton Mills or the Sugar Refinery, are you going to stop work there for 36 hours?
HIS EXCELLENCY -You ask that due notice should be given
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-Yes. During Chinese New Year, when work ceases for a couple of days, I think that this inspection should be carried out, or it could be carried out during the period of the annual overhaul, which takes a week or ten days.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I think, sir, that in a case such as the hon. member refers to, the inspection could take place without any interference with the work.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-In section 10 there are certain rules which the Governor-in-Council should bear in mind in prescribing the time for inspection.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT- What the hon. member said is perfectly correct. The annual overhaul in the event of a launch may take three or four days, and it may be out of commission during that time.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-That is the point. HIS EXCELLENCY-I can assure the hon. members that everything will be done to avoid inconvenience. It is in contemplation, as far as possible, to appoint engineers of the firms where they are duly qualified.
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of Ceylon and the Straits Settlements.
The memorandum states that the object of the Ordinance is to repeal section 19 of the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Ordinance, 1908, which limits the pension of an Orphan to one- fourth of the widow's pension in cases where there are less than three children entitled to pension, and to provide that the whole amount of the widow's pension shall be equally divided among the children of a pensionable age.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
On resuming, the ATTORNEY-GENERAL re- ported that the Bill had passed through Com- mittee without amendment, and moved the third reading.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS" ORDINAŃCE AMENDMENT.
+
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL Moved the second An Ordinance to reading of the Bill entitled amend the Protection of Women and Girls' Ordinance, 1897, as amended by the Protection of Women and Girls' Amendment Ordinance 1905." In doing so he said-In addition to the memorandum I might mention that section 2 of of the this Ordinance amends section 18 principal Ordinance by adding a
new sub- section, making it an offence to harbour
the unmarried
girl under
of age 18, and the effect of section 3 is to admit the sworn evidence of a child, under six in cases of indecent assault. Section 4 is taken from the Statute 48 and 49 Victoria, known as the Criminal Law Amendment Act. The effect of this section is that where a person is charged with rape or felony under section 6, he can be convicted of any misdemeanours under sections 5 or 6.
an
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then went into Committee and con- sidered the Bill clause by clause.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-Will inspections take place on Sundays if required? Some factories On resuming the ATTORNEY-GENERAL re- knock off work on Sundays. If the Govern- ported that the Bill had passed through Com- ment will appoint private engineers to be in-mittee, and moved that it be read a third time. spectors it will overcome the difficulty, but as a matter of fact they do not appoint all private engineers in regard to launches. They appoint some, but not necessarily all, though qualified men. I have in my mind an application which was made by a duly qualified man, and which was refused.
HIS EXCELLENCY-These are matters which do not affect the actual wording of the Bill. I can only say that we will do our best to frame regulations under the Bill which will meet the wishes and convenience of all concerned. If the hon, member will be good enough to send in a memorandum or note, I will bear it in mind in the framing of the regulations.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-The whole difficulty would be overcome if the Government would appoint private qualified engineers.
His EXCELLENCY—That is the intention as far as possible.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-I can only say that the Government have actually refused.
His EXCELLENCY-I will inquire into that matter. Hon. members are satisfied, I take it? Hon. Mr. OSBORNE-I am content, sir, to leave it at that.
On Clause 10, Hon. Mr. GRESSON asked if it was not an anomaly that the engineer of a works, if he was going to inspect the boilers and machinery, should pay a fee to himself.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-An engineer will inspect more machinery than his own if he is appointed.
Council then resumed, and the ATTORNEY- GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee, and moved its third reading. The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSION AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the second reading of the Bill "An Ordinance to amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Ordinance, 1908." The objects and reasons are sufficiently given in the memorandum at the
The
RESERVATION OF LANDS ORDINANCE.
ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled "An Ordinance to provide for the Reservation of certain lands in Victoria, in the Peak District, and in Kowloon as Recreation Grounds, and to provide for Regulations as to the use thereof." In doing so he said-The objects of this Bill are set out in the memorandum attached. There will be a certain amendment with respect to section 3.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
[October 30, 1909.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The Crown gives and the Crown reserves the power to take away.
Hon. Mr. STEWART-On certain matters in connection with public places the Government occasionally acts in a way extremely distasteful to the public. I remember once the Govern- ment decided to cut down the trees on the polo ground, without the smallest notice. One fine day people walking in that direction saw that a row of trees had been cut down without any notice. That sort of thing ought not to be done without the public having some say in the matter.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The hon. mem- ber is at fault there, as those trees were not on the public ground at all.
Hon. Mr. STEWART-They were cut down without the public being notified.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-We are talking now of the recreation grounds. Those trees. stood on land outside the recreation ground and were cut down for the enlargement of that ground whereby the public were much benefited. The only people who questioned it were certain polo players.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT -If the hon. member who represents the Justices of the Peace wishes publicity given to a question he will not get it by referring the question to the Governor-in- Council. The matter to be made public should be discussed in the Legislative Council.
Hon. Mr. STEWART-There is a very able member of the Legislative Council on the Executive Council, and I have an idea that if anything were being done contrary to the public interest he would bring it up in the Legislative Council.
HIS EXCELLENCY referred members to Ordinance 4 of 1898, which made it lawful for the Government to reappropriate such lands.
Hon. Mr. STEWART-I won't press the point. Council then resumed.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee and moved that it be read a third time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed. !
PUBLIC PLACES REGULATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the second reading of the Bill entitled "An Ordinance to amend the Public Places Regula- tion Ordinance, 1870." Cases have arisen where it is desirable to permit the use of public build- ings, the Gardens and Recreation grounds, for social entertainments and charitable purposes and to allow gate moneys to be charged; without any question of the charges being ultra vires. It is desirable to make such charges as the Govern ment may approve.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
On clause 2,
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-Does this apply to buildings such as the City Hall ?.
HIS EXCELLENCY-It applies to those places mentioned in the Public Recreations Ordinance. The COLONIAL SECRETARY-It does not apply to the City Hall.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move that section 3, be stick out, and in lieu thereof the following sub-section substituted :-"The said pieces of land by this Ordinance reserved and appropriated are hereby declared to be public places within the meaning of the Public Places Regulation Ordinance of 1870, and all regulations relating to Blake Garden, West-I don't see any penalty provided for anybody
who gets in without a ticket. End Park and King's Park at Kowloon hitherto made under the said Ordinance are hereby confirmed, and shall be deemed to apply with respect to the pieces of land shown on the re- spective plans as Blake Garden, West End Park and King's Park respectively in the same manner as if such regulations had been made after the passing of this Ordinance."
Hon. Mr. STEWART-Are these regulations made by the Governor-in-Council, sir ?
HIS EXCELLENCY-Yes.
Hou. Mr. STEWART-Is there any object in making it lawful for the Governor to re- appropriate those lands? It appears to me that it is a very large power to vest in the Governor solely. It might be advisable
to
guard the public interest by giving this power to the Governor-in-Council, unless there is some good reason.
HIS EXCELLENCY-There is no special rea sou. The re-appropriation will appear in the Gazette, and can be questioned by any member
of the Council.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-I asked particularly, İ sir, about the City Hall, because it has been rather noticeable that the Government at cer- tain times have been inclined to think they have got the management of the City Hall. I certainly do not think they ought to have the power to deal with that particular building. affected by that Ordinance.
HIS EXCELLENCY-The City Hall is not
'The ATTORNEY-GENERAL
is not a public building.
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-But the Government are always trying to interfere with the City Hall and are making regulations when they have nothing to do with it.
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It
HIS EXCELLENCY-That assurance is suffici- ent to meet your point?
Hon. Mr. GRESSON-Yes, that covers my point, sir.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-The hon. mem- ber at the end of the table (Captain superin- tendent of Police) suggested that there was no