HONGKONG
COUNCIL.
jas
A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held yesterday at the Council Chamber.
The following were present:- HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR F. H. MAY, K.C.M.G.
C.B.
THE HONGKÒNG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY, JUNE 13TH 1913,
FOREIGH NOTES (PROHIBITION OF CIRCULATION) ORDINANCE. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the
WEATHER TELEGRAMS.
THE NEED OF WIRELESS TELEGRAPHY,
INTIMATIONS
Mr. T. F. Claxton, Director of the JOHNSTONE'S
second reading of a Bill entitled, "An protest against this waste of pub Toyal Observatory, in his Report for the
LEGISLATIVE whole purport of the Bill beyond a slight re-arrangement of some clauses is to givo some little more latitule in dealing with the arrangements under which porens who are detained under detention war- Ordinanco to prohibit the circulation of rants may be examined for the purpose foreign notes." In doing so be asid~~ of ascertaining whether they are poons I may state with regard to this matter Tho that there have been certain misappre who ought to be banished or not.
tions have reached, the Government on first section of the Bill which in rally hensions on the Bill, and some representa- affected à section 2, and that deals with the subject of this Bill. Therefore, I will H.E. MAJOR-GENERAL C. A. ANDERSON, the re-armngement under the old sections, take the opportunity of pointing out that 3, 4, and 6 of the Deportation Ordinance there are no restrictions whatever on the Hon. Mr. A. . THOMSON (Colonial; ag text ne protive section is importation of foreign notes. These, however, when they arrive in the Colony should be only dealt with a part of Bepretary).
Hon. Mr. J. A S. BUCHFILL, K.O
exchange business. They should not be dealt with as currency. An instance wna (Attorney-General).
Hon. Mr. A. G. M. Fincuen (Colonial
pointed out to whereby merchant may revive foreign notes in the way of business done outside the Colony, and Treasurer).
Hon, Mr. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. Diree
that he may possibly pay out such foreign notes in the Colony in payment of debts, tor of Public Works).
say, on account of bills of exchange for other notes dentred to him. I should fancy that the latter payment would be against the principles of the Bill, and that it should not be permitted. Foreign notes coming into the Colony are dealt with only as a matter of exchange busi- There being no restriction on the importation of notes, the question of a globe-trotter bringing gold notes or green- backs into the Culony does not arise.
Hon, Mr. E. R. HALLIFAX (Registrar General).
Hon. Mr. C. Mol. Messu (Captain Superintendent of Police).
flon, Bir Kai IIo. Kai, M.D., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. E. A. Hswert, C.M.Q. Hon, Mr. WEI YUE, C.M.G.
lion. Mr. C. MOSTAQUE EDE
Hon. Mr. D. LANDALE
Hon. Mr. E. SHELLIE,
Mr. C CLEMENTI (Clerk of Councils)
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
FINANCIAL MINUTES,
Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL TREASULER conded, and the motion was agreed to.
really No, and that section slightly adds to the case of procedure under which persons who have been deported from other Colonies or protected States can he The rest of deported from this place. the rather lengthy part of section. 6 of the Bill is simply formal, and it is designed to make the alterations in the schedule of the old Ordinance which are necessitated by the slight alteration of procedure which takes place under the provisions I do not think that it is of section 2. necessary for me to go into any details of the Bill, because, as I said before it is very fully explained in the objects and reason. I beg to move the second read ing!
His EXCELARNey-I think there is soine alteration in Section 2..
The ATTORNEY-GESEAL-There is an other point which perhaps I should have mentioned, that is, sub-section 5 of Sec- The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by commandtion 2, which introduces a slight alteration of His Excellency the Governor, Inid on with regard to the conditions under which, the table Financial Minutes Nos. 28 to 20, when there is an issue of a proclamation and moved that they be referred to the under the Peace Preservation Ordinance, person may be deported. Under the old Parco Preservation Ordinance it was possible to deport persons on certain grounds; those grounds being when it was deemed necessary for the public safety. In the present Bill these conditions are slightly altered, and now under, the pre- sent. Bill it is possible to depot under such circumstances persons when it is considered desirable for public safety or the peace and good order of the Colony. That is a slight alteration to which should have drawn attention.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SKONETARY, by command of H.B. the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committen, No. 5, and moved that it be adopted.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded,
the motion was agreed to.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE..
The DIRECTOR OF TUBLI WORKS, by command of HE the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 2 of 1013.
PAPERS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by comisand of H., the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Superintendent of Prison for the year 1012, Report on the Post Office Department, Report on the Kowloon Canton Railway (British see- tion), Report on the Finances for the year 1912, Report of the Registrar of the Sapranic Court for the year 1912, Report of the Land Officer for the year 1012, Report of the Director of the Royal Ob- servatory, Hongkong, for the year 1012.
NEW MENGENS OF COMMITTEE.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then went into committen to consider the Bill cause by clause.
On Connell resuming,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL reported that the Bifl. had passed through committee without amendment, and moved that it he read a third time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and third time and the, Bill was read a passed.
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The COLONIAL SECITALY oved the
second reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to authorize the Appropria- tion of a Supplementary sum of thirty HIS EXCELLENCY-Owing to the changes thousand six hundred and nine dollars in the personnel of the Council it has been found necessary to make the follow and fifty-seven cents, to defray the charges ing appointments: The Hon. Mr. Tds to of the year 1912." In doing so he said- be a member of the Law Committes tem-I propose to have this Bill referred to the porarily in place of the Hon. Mr. Finance Committee, when questions con Pollock, Hon, Mr, Shellim to be a mem-neeted with it can be asked and answered. ber of the Public Works Committee in pics of the Hon. Mr. Osborne, and the Hon. Mr. Lardale to be a member of the Public Works Committee in place of the Hot. Mr. Ross.
KESOLUTION UNDER THE OPIUM ORDINANCE,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to move the resolution standing in my name
The resolution was in the following terms:
a
Whereas by the provisions of Section 3 of the Opium Ordinance, 1900,
mended by Section 2 of the Opium Amendment Ordinance, 1911, it was pro- vided inter alia as follows
The COLONIAL TREATCER SCcoded, and the motion was agreed to,
The Bill was then referred is the Fiu ane Committee...
FOREIGN SILVER AND NICKEL COIN ORDINANCE
1
privately, that I consider it a gross waste of public mory. I said the whole system. was wrong, and it has proved to be a failure. I must put it on record that I
The CHAIRMAN-If there am no further remarks, Ike it that we may recom- money. I hate nothing more to say,
mend the Bil to be passed.
This was agreed to.
SUBSIDIARY COINS AND BANK NOTES.
year 1912, laid on the table of the Legisla- tive Council resterday, says:
ዚነ
"Representations to the Chinese Tele- graph Administration have led to
the transmission of improvement in weather telegrams from all reporting Mations except Heihow and Pakhoi, from which it appears to be impossible to obtain A Report on the Finangs of the Colony observations with regularity or despatch. for the year 1919, prepared by Mr Apparently there are ten transmitting A, G. M. Fitcher as Treasurer, and laktations between Pakhoi and Hongkong,
that delays océir. upon the table of the Legislative Council and eleven or twelve between Hoihow and yesterday, gives the following informa Hongkong. It is not surprising therefore tin regarding the currenty es
The stock of subsidiary coins on the st December was of the face value of
182,030.44.& follows :--
50 cents
20
30. $
13
13
Copper
$ 2,293.50 8,737,80 121,828.10 4,501.20 41,501.81
$182,090.44
The valu in the Treasury Books was $60,298.31, discount, written off the stock, being taken at 7 per cent. Caios of the face value of $1,000,000 were sent to England daring the year for purpose of dehuonetization.
50 cent pieces 1 per cit. to 4 per cent.
20
10
A
Copper
K
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# 12
The rates, in previous years, were
For the prompt receipt of weather graphy is necessary. It would also be of considerable leacfit to install wireless stations at Yu-ling Kang on the south reports from these stations wireless tele-
coast of Hain, Swatow, Chelang Point, the Pratas Shoal, and the Paracels. Apart from the utility of the information thus obtained in. connection with the ordinary daily weather forecasts, wireless mes ages from these stations would be a safeguard against the stall but disastrous typhoons which occasionally strike the Colony without warning, and would ensure more acenrate forecasts of the track and severity of practically every typhoon affecting Hongkong or the ship ping leaving Hongkong."
EXṬKA. WESVREN TELEGRAMS.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the B was read around time.
ELOPE COMPANY'S THAMWAY (REVIVAL) ORDINANCE. The ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second
The service of extra telegrams during reading of a Billentitled, "An Ordinarice
The limits between which the rates of typhoon weather, hitherto confined to to revive the Rope Company's Tramway. Ordinance, 1901". In doing so he said-discount ringed were :--
on, members will observe that under the Ordinance referred to, No. 31 of 1901, the Hoogkong Hope Manufacturing Com pany Limited, is given certain powers to construct and yake a short tramway for the purpose of carrying goods a small distance from ships. By an oversight, which is due partially, I think, really owest toward the end of the summer, to the revision of the laws, the period for towing to the deady drain of subsidiary which these rights were granted
On the 1st July an allowed to expire on the 15r December, coin from Canton into the country during
might the silk jason. 1911, and was at renewed as hve been unr the Ordinner. The Ordinance probibiting the circulation of rights and privileges have been continued foreign copper er in case into force, and in fact, and it is desired under this Ordinance to continu them in law also from that date Hongkong copper coin has The object, therefore, of the Ordinance heer interhangeable with ten cent pieces. is simply to, kerp the rights alive, and The ciralation in December of notes of then an opportunity will be given of taking ordinary steps under the old the thred Banks having authorized issues Ordiliance of keeping the rights further was as follows:- alive for such time as the Governor-in- Council may think fit
WRE
The COLONES SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time
Contcil then went into committee to consider the Hill clause by clause...
O Council resuming,
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank $19,784,469 5,329,419 Charteral Bank of I., A. & C.
496,323 Mercantile Bank of India.
325,810,211
The convenient site of the silver
Steady The ATTORRY-GENERAL reported that dollar, mproximating to that of a five- the Bill had passed through committee shilling piece, has caused without amendment, and moved the third demand on the part of the European reading.
The COLONIE SECRETARY BCconderl, and the Bill was rond a third time and passed. HIS EXCELLENCY-Council stands ad. formed until this day week, .............
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FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committe afterwards, the COLONIA held
prosiding. The following voles were pased:-- SRETANY
i'
PUBLIC PLAYGROUND.
The Governor recommended the Cound to vote à stan of 82,300 in aid of the vote Public Work Extraordinary, Hongkong Miscellaneous, Levelling portion of We End Park to form playground.
PRAYA WALL AND PIERS ECPAIK.. The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of 82,650 in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent, Hongkong. Miscellaneom, Maintenance of Wall and Piers.
SUTHIEMENTARY ESTIMATES.
messages sent by the Director of the Manila Observatory at his discretion, and by the Director of the Taihoku Observa- tory on reipt of certain code words, was extended to Phalien, Macao, Amoy, and Sharp Peak, through the courtesy of the Authorities at these stations and of the Superintendent of the Eastern kong, who made the necessary arrange- Extension Telegraph Company in Hong- telegrams ab half rates over the lines of ments for the transmission of the
Northern Telegraph Companies. the Eastern Extension and the Great
From May to October the 9 p. French Telegraph Administration fransmit the Phulica messages free over their lines. observations at Swatow were forwarded
nese Telegraph Administration making. to the Observatory by the Customs no charge for their transmission; but the messages were frequently delayed and Authorities as in previous years, the Chi-
sometimes not received..
The
By the courtesy of the Naval Authori ties, meteorological observations made on board His Majesty's ships were occasion- ally forwarded to the Observatory by wireless telegraphy.
COMPANIES REGISTERED IN
HONGKONG.
The Report of the Registrar of the population for one dollar notes, and i
under the heading of large number of note of this denomin Supreme Court (Mr. Hugh A. Nisbet) Nacional Ultramarine, are ia circulation.information tion, issued by the Portuguese Banco for the year 1912 gives the following The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank were "Registration of Companies" authoried during the year under review. to increase their issue of these notes from $225,000 to $250,000.
There was during the year a limited circulation of notes issued by the Chinese Republian Government, but these did not find much favor and they reached discout of thirty per centum, as they are payable only in subsidiary coin and their redemption is subject to various restrictions.
Pram THE CASTON-KOWLOON RAILWAY.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY Moved the second reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to prohibit the importation and circulation of certain foreign coáns.” In deing so he said-I take the oppor tanity of correcting an error which I mate on the occasion of the first reading. I then said that the pulity of the Govern-up of practically three items: Miscellare provating in the Kwangtung Province
In his Report for the year 1912, laid The Supplementary Appropriation Bill Lefore the Legislative Council yesterday, was considered in committee.
Mr. H. P. Winston, the Manager of the Hon. Mr. Hewe --With regard to. Mis- British Section, writes:-
In view of the unsettled conditious ellaneous Services: there is an increase of $13,000, and I see that this sum is made
The
Companies tolal number of the Companies Ordinance, 1865, was 700 with an aggregate capital of E363,083,G03, registered from the commencement of
Of the 760 corapanies on the register 140 are defunct, 2 were not floated, 155 were wound up and 135 were in the course register at the end of 1912 representing of being wound up, leaving 308 on the an aggregate capital of $35,254,343.
The figures in 1011 were, respectively, 2:26, 145, 192. 784, $343,047 200 121, 4, 142, 14, 345 and
There were 36 companies registered in 1912 as compared with 39 in 1911, the revenver from which was:
In 1812. In 1911. Registration Fees....54,820 Filing and other Fees 4,470
$5,806 3,474
$9,301 $9,280
The number of licences granted under sections of The Companies Ordinance 1911 (No. » of 1911) crabling Com- panies operating outside the Colony to The fees collected in respect of such licences amounted to $54.501.
"No person, sbafl import, or aid or ahot/ent in reducing coins had had up to us Paperi show an inercase of $4,500, it ww not to be expected that through een local, registers of members was 146.
the importation of any Raw Opium int the Colony or into the waters thereof, if such importation shall bave been totified in the Government Gazette in pursuance of any resolution of the Legislative Council as being illegal.
། ཉཱཏཱ
And whereas by Resolation dates the
91st August, 1911, and made by the Legisla tive Council in pursuance of the provisions
Ordinances and Regulations of mendly $2,000, and the Revised suition, of the passenger traffic world reach the estimated know something about those increases. Ordinances of $3,724.22. I would like to figure and although fares were reduced
That is a big increas Let us tame them seriotim. Misceltans and very encouragement offered, the
date no result whatever. As a matter of fact, there was on examination found to be a slight increase in the average value, bat such increase is, however, so slight Papers, $1,500.
revente from this soures was disappoint-
as not to make any difference to the confifty per cent. over the estimates. Slying. An increase of both passenger and
the sideration of the Bill before us. Repree stationary department, whoever they sentations have been made during the last closer than that.
of Section of the Opium Olinance, 1908, fortnight to the Government on the" sub- ! s amended by Section 2 of the Opiamjet of the importation of foreign coin, Amendment Ordinance, 1011, it was inter
autification should he and the Government has consented to elia resolved that. inade in the next issue of tlie Government muke concessions to the extant of adding Gazette that the importation of any kind of in committer to provisions already Raw Indian Opiura, except opium covered
The CN-There was a revised of fact you will find that 815,817 has been edition of the Street Index. As a matter previously rofed.
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-We ought to be crease. It is excessive, and there wght given som explanation about that in
by Export Permits from the Government of embodied in sub-stelious 2 and 3 of section to have been a closer estimate in the first. Tudin to the effect that such opium had been 3 of the Copper Coinage Ordinance, 1912, place when the original estimates were
ROADS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES. At a meeting of the Public Works Com- the 29th Ry, the Chairman (Hon. Mr. W. Chatham) laid before the Committer a proposal to con wittee, held ou
struct a road from near Tai Po to Fan
declared for shipment to or consumption in shereby foreign silver coin will be er for the Revised Edition of the Crdimprovement will be shown under the increased and 15 feet had been mentioned
framed. With regard to the amount
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THE SOLE AGENTS:
Chs. J. Gaupp
OUR
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ALEXANDRA BUILDINGS
CHATER ROAD.
THE EYE
connection is made with the Canton good traffic might be looked for when
Hanlow Railway' -
The revenue derived from local passenger Ling, where it would join the road trail is slightly less than in 1911. Every already constructed from the latter The cost if effort was made to secure goods, but place to Castle Poak Bay. trafic has been drrouraged by the impos: roughly estimated at $30,000, but it had STUDY development is slow and through goods such a road, with a width of 14 feet, war
OF tionof likin. It is hardly likely that much been suggested that the width should be As a suficient width. After full disens sion, the Committee unanimously agreed nances, $0.724, I should like to know exising conditions. China, should be illegal:
And whereas the said notification was dule migted to be imported under licence. published in the Goverment Gazite of the may add with regard to the condition of where that comes in. Is that the amount is gratifying to note that the revenue
the Ordinances which, we understand. 1st September, 1911, under Government these licences that care will be taken that paid to Bir Francis Piggott for revisingorded working expenses by 891,298.21, to recommend that the road should be think which under the adverse circumstances made with a width of 10 feet, the Chair notification No. 259
may be considered satisfactory Interest mau stating that the cost of such a road And whereas, it is desirable to amend the they are suficiently strict to prevent any have alttaly become obsolete?
possible temptation to put coin so in some explanation is duo
As the Committee were of opinion that en capital account has not, however, bern would be about 314,000 same in certain respects:
incuded in the railway accounts this the road should be connected up with the Now it is hereby revived that a notifien ported into circulation in the Colony tion shall be made in the next issue of the
Po, ther further recommended that a Government Gazelle that the above recited I may point ont in passing that the sub
Hon. Mr. HEWETT-I was not here when yigr, as it was decided to delit this in existing road from Kowloon Point to Tai resolution and notification shall not apply ject of guld coin has been mentioned, but
be constructed spanning the Lam Tran to the transhipment in Hongking of Raw no provision will be made to prevent the the vote was taken. It seems to me that future to the public debt.
it is regretted that the subject of bridge, suitable for motor traffic, should Indian Opium exported from India on through Bill of Lading to the Island of inportation or cirentation of foreign the amount paid for the Revised Ordi- gold coin, as there is no necessity to pances i excessive, and we are still called
isstill in abeyance, but it is hoped that approaches to same It was agreed that stand whare not come to an end yt.
on the road already mentioned should not The CHAIRAS-It was voted last year.
this difficult question will soon be settled the width of this bridge and of any others interfere with sachi. As regards the data upon to pay $7,000 more, and I ender-ditision of join sectional passenger fares Valley River, together with the necessary of coming inte operation, the Govern- |
the cost of the bridge and approaches ment is quite prepared to accept a date. This is purely a formal transaction to when the final adjustment between the exceed 14 feet. The Chairaan stated that The Chairman stated that the question Hon. Mr. HEWETT-Money ha been tro sections may be effected
No fatal accident occurred to the would be about $13,000, say, the 1st of March, which will fully satisfy the auditor. cover next China New Year. Any other wasted in bringing out an edition of the matters that may arise, or that members Ordinates which has now become obstavelling public during the year and, of widening the Sha Tau Kok-Castle may have some misgivings about, will, I lete, and has had to be revised. We have
throw away all this money. I ras, not fooly one pasanger sustained injury dee Peas Road, which had been constracted
Formos.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL Seconded, and the resolution was married.
DEPORTATION ORDINANCE
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordi nunce to amend the Deportation Ori manoes, 1912." In doing so he said-Sir
The CuARMANI think an explamtion of the vote being taken. was given to the Council on the acasion
the object of this Ordinanes is explained think, be better discussed in .committe, here est autumn or I would bare said to alighting from the express train when generally with a width of from 6 to 8
reasons very fally in the objects and which are attached to it. There is
The COLONIAL TREASURER SCEonded, nid nothing radically new in the provisiow of this Bill, and there is nothing really which introduces any new principle. The the Bill was read a second time.
and I may say it is not proposed to take what I am saying now. We have been
called upon to bring out Revised Ordi i motion. There were no accidents to that stage to-day.
nances before the printers ink vas dry ailway servants. In spite of all precan on the old edition, which is not waste tons Chinese continue to trespass on the naper I feel very strongly on the sub- ject, and I will state here, as stated railway and four were killed,
fects had also been referred to the Con- mitre It was unanimously agreed to bridges which had been constructed with recommend that, with the exception of the should be widened throughout to 18 feet with of 14 feet, the road in question as soon as funds would permit,
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