Today's Advertisements.
EOTHEN MARK LODGE, No: 264.
REGULAR MEETING of the above A LODGE will be held at the FREEMASONS HALL, Zetland Street, on MONDAY, the 27th instant, at 5 for 5.30 p.m. precisely. Visit- ing Brethren are cordially invited to attend.
Hongkong, 23rd November, 1899.
.[1458a
DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY,
LIMITED
FOR SWATOW, AMOY AND TAMSUL
HE Company's Steamship
THE
"HAILOONG,"
Captain Robson, will be despatched for the above Ports, on SATURDAY, the 25th instant, at Noon.
For Freight or Passage, apply to
DOUGLAS LÁPRAIK & Co., General Managers.
Hongkong, 23rd November, 1899.
[1453
CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY,
LIMITED.
FOR SHANGHAL
HE Company's, Steamship
THE
"NINGPO,"
Captain Phillips, will be despatched as above on SATURDAY, the 25th instadt,
For Freight or Passage, apply to
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Agents.
Hongkong, 23rd November, 1897g.
[1445*
DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP COMPANY,
LIMITED.
ALL
FOR SWATOW, AMOY AND FOOCHOW.
HE Company's Steamship
THE
"HAICHING,'
"Captain Davis, will he despatched for the above Ports, on SUNDAY, the 26th instant, at Daylight.
For Freight or Passage, apply to
DOUGLAS LAPRAIK & Co., General Managers. Hongkong, 23rd November, 180g
164543
CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY,
LIMITED.
FOR SHANGĦAL
THE Company's Steamship
#WHAMPOA,
Captain Varrioch, will be despuched us above
on SUNDAY, the 25th instant.
For Freight or Passage, apply to
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Agents.
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1899
Intimation,
A. S. WATSON & Co., LIMITED.
A FAVOURITE
REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.
THE WAR. Ladysmith Safe.
LONDON, November 21st.. Despatches from Ladysmith dated- 16th state that there were ample supplies of an munition and provisions and that the garrison could hold out indefinitely?
There have been tremendous raias ant Ladysmith is a' quaqunire, but this hampers the enemy. The garrisud virtually
CHAMPAGNE. live under-ground.
BOLL & GO.
VIN NATURE VINTAGE 1892 EXTRA SEC.
AND
CHAMPAGNE QUALITY EXTRA.
This high-class Wine is largely used in the best London Clubs and and Leading Hotels.
PRICE:
$40 per vase. I dež, quarts, 842
2 doz. pints.
Solo Agents: A. S. WATSON & CO..
LIMITED. WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS.
-ESTARLÍSURD A.D. 1847.
The Boers admit a sharp reverse at Faudy smith on the 9th hist.
LATER.
The War. Ladysmith was safe on the zoth just. The members of the Cape Assembly for Colesberg have joined the Boers.
General Catarre's division is rapidly land. ing at East London and assembling at Queenstown
The Boers, have raided a farm 1g milės to the South of Estcourt.
LOCAL AND GENERAL.
The Hon. Treasurer of the Alice Memorial and Nethersole Hospitals begs to acknowledge with thanks the following donations to the funds of the Hospitals :---
Tam Ha Sze
.55
A CRICKET match was played today on the Club ground between the Royal Artillery and H.M.S. Centurion, The Artillery went in first and scored 168. Then the Naval men went ter work and accumulated 170 for the loss of one wicket and were still batting when our repurter left the ground..
It is with deep regret we have to announce the death of Private G. C. Booth, of 'D' Infan- try Company, II. K. V. C. Mr. Booth was about 30 years of age and had been in Hongkong for a little over a year, the greater part of which time he belonged to the Volunteers, and took a great interest in the corps,
is remains were accorded a funeral with full military honours, at 5 o'clock this afternoon at the Happy Valley. Cemetery, the mourners mecting the cortege at 4.45 p.
VERY
Hongkong, 23rd Nowhere dog (45g: The Hongkong Telegraph Awwww useful lesion was taught a junk master,
INDO-CHINA STEAM NAVIGATION
COMPANY, LIMITED.
FOR MANTA.
THE Company's Steamship
"YUENSANG,"
Captain 1. H. Rolfe, R.N.R., will be despatched as above on MONDAY, the 27th instant,
at Noon.
This Steamer has Superior Accomodation
for First Class Passengers.
For Freight or Passage, upply to
JARDINE, MATLIESON & Co.,
"General Managers.---- Hongkong, 23rd November, 1899,
114354
CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY, LIMITED.
|
HONGKONG, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1899,
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Truth devotes a special page in very spekly issue, to the doing of the treat Tupaid of Ragland and pillories mercilessly their dealings with the infortunate criminals whe cone before them. He is constantly contrasting the severity of the sentences pussidi bo the pur with the leniency of the sentences pronounced against the well-te-in. Be compares the heavy punishments award. ed for the offences against property with the much lighter punishments assigned to Prince of violence against the person, and holds up to the public ridicule the inequali. ties in the treatment meted out to different Captain Finlayson, will be despatched as above classes of persons and to the different classes on WEDNESDAY, the 29th instant.
of offences. He sees no justice in sending For Freight or Passage, apply to
a man accused and convicted of stealing & BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
traip from a field to prison with hard la Agents.
[1449abour and of letting off a hour for six months, and laten his wife marly to death, with a line or fourteen days,
FOR MANILA, CEBU AND ILOILO.
HE Company's Steamship.
THE
"NANCHANG,
Hongkong, 23rd November, :899.
CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY, LIMITED.
FOR MANILA.
THE Company's Steamship.
"CHINGTO
We have no Great Unpaid in Hongkong, on Magistrates, two of them, are stipendi aries One has a very limited jurisdiction over the offences committed by seamen, and Captain Williams, will be despatched as above fortunately is o tly rarely called on to exercise it. The other is, în à sense, a professional on WEDNESDAY, the 20th December.
The attention of Passengers is directed to man. the Superior Accommodation ofléred by this has studied law, but has had, as yet, no prae- Steamer. The First-class Saloon is situated tical experience at the Bar or on the Bench. forward of the Engines.
A duly qualified Surgeon is carried and thee is a gentiman and a man of, we believe,
Vessel is atted throughout with Electic Eight.
For Passage, apply to
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Agents Hongkong, 23rd November, 1899. 114562
!
CHINA. NAVIGATION COMPANY, LIMITED,
FOR PORT DARWIN, QUEENSLAND PORTS, SYDNEY AND MELBOURNE. THE THE Company's Steamship
* CHINGTU,” Captain Williams, will be despatched on WEDNESDAY, the 20th December, at Noen
The attention of Passengers is directed to the Superior Accommodation offered by this Steamer. The First-class Satoon is situated forward of the Engines. A Refrigerating Chamber ensures the Supply of Fresh Provisions during the entire voyage.
A duly qualified Surgeon is carried and the Vessel is fitted throughout with Electric Light. A.B.-Return Tickets issued by this Com- pany to and from AUSTRALIA are available for return by the Steamers of the EASTERN AND AUSTRALIAN S.S. Co. and vice versa. For Freight or Passage, apply to
BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE,
Agents, Hongkong, 23rd November, 1899.
[1457 SHEWAN TOMES & CO'S. "NEW YORK" LINE.
FOR NEW YORK, VIA SUEZ CANAL.
*HE Steamship
THE
"ASAMA," will be despached for the above Port, on or about the zoth December. For Freight, apply to
SHEWAN, TOMES & Co. Agents. Hongkong, 23rd November, 1899.
NOTICE.
[1447a
"OFFICES of tE "HONGKONG- TELEGRAPH" have This Day been removed to No. 50, QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL, Second Floor, (the premises formerly occupied by Messrs. PoWELL. & Co to which address all communications should be addressed.
ETH. F. SKERTCHLY,
Manager. Hongkong. In May, 1899.
He has been called to the Bar and
sound common sense, but, as even, the good Hemmer slept sonwtimes and turned out serses not equal to the foltjest poetical standards, so Ár. GoMPERTZ-sometimes dis- poses of cases in a fashion that may fairly Jay hins open to criticism.
A man who came before him the other day charged with having wantonly assaulted another man with a chopper, wounding him seriously, and with having turned his weapon with effect against another man who inter- fered in the interests of peure, was let off, in spite of the very serious nature of bis offence, with a line. A man convicted of stealing some useless flowers and wire from the table cemetery gut sis months' impri sonment, with hard labour, without the option of a fine.
The first man was guilty of felony, of felony of a very serious character; an offence which inight very easily have led to his being put on his trial for wilful murder. Such Cripes in the present disturbed state of our new territories and of the Kwangtung provinces au very dangerous and ought to punished most severely. If the sentences in the two cases had been reversed, it would. have been something more like justice, and something more, in accordance with the tit ness of things and with the needs of the community. We want more protection against crimes of violence than against theft, May we suggest for the consideration of the worthy Magistrate that pffences against the person involving the use of deadly weapons, should always be met with sentences of imprisonments
WEATHER REPORT,
The Observatory report says:——— On the 23rd at 11.45 am, the barometer has ast of Citina and in risen slightly on the 5. coast of the Philippines. The high pressure area re mains contral over Chinn, and pressure is re- latively low in the Pacific to the E. of Luzon. Gradients moderate on the coast, steep with very strong, monsoon in the N, part of the China Sea. FORECAST Moderate N, to N.E. winds; fine
The
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¦
referred back to the Departments concerned for reconsideration and to be remodelled. * When in Finance Committee "yesterday "T moved a like Resolution, but found no support. I now feel it: my duty to invite the opinion of Your Excelicacy and of this Council on the questions I desire to raise.
In spite of the explanations tendered yester day, the Treasurer's Financial Returns in their amended foun which accompanied the Draft Estimates and to me still unintelligible. There cannot be two different balances of assets over liabilities on 31st December 1898. The final settlement of the Appropriation Bill should be postponed until these accounts are cleared up
1 submit that the money proposed to be voted is not properly applied as there are many very urgent and most important Public Works committed which demand immediate attention and
should be provided for.
The actual assets available at the end of 1900 for Public Works Extraordinary is the estimat- ed surplus on 31st proxime say, $400,000, plus the estimated surplus revenue over the ordinary expenditure during next year say $436,000, or an aggregate of $830,000.
According to the Estimates there is only to be expended during 1900 the sum of $331,100 on Public Works Extraordinary. I think the Government would have been fully justified in asking the Council to sauction the expenditure of say $500,000 or even $600,000.
I
7-The construction of roads is also a matter of great importance. The mpidity with which sites have been taken up along the roads recently constructed is the best proof not only of the necessity but of the sound policy from a financial standpoint of proceeding with the roads projected.
"In connection with this subject it may be worth considering whether the Government | should not give the utmost encouragement to any scheme for connecting the centre of Vic tária with the eastern or western suburbs by tramways in order the better to provide for the expansion of the city and the provision of house accommodation.
8.-The importance of housing the Police Force suitably is one that should not be over looked, and the provision of quarters for the orried members of the force should be made as soon as practicable. Meantime we welcome the proposal to erect a l'olice Station for the Western District, which has long been greatly neeped.
-
urgently needed, namely, when plegué begins | several public works. They were-ins) to make its appearance. Though extensions in the memorandum. The honourable member have recently been carried our experience has „for the Chamber of Commerce did not used shown them to be insufficient, and a reference fit to sign that memorandum, but all that to the statements published monthly in the he has urged you will find urged in the newspapers shows that the consumption is ever-memorandum, the only difference being on the increase. From the latest retura, this | with regard to the relative importance of the increase amounts to 8 per cent over the curdifferent works. They regard all the works responding period of last year, and no the enumerated in the memoradum, and which he should therefore be lost in carrying out further has also alluded to, as being urgent public works which should be undertaken at once. extensions.
They urged upon the Govemnient that they should spend the entire surplus they have in hand in the immediate execution of public works. Thoy also wished liis Excellency to forward a copy of their recommendations to the Right Hon, the Secretary of State for the Colhales, so that the new Law Courts and the new Post Ufice should be at once taken in hand. I do not think there is any disagreement between : the unofficial members with regard to the public works in question, which his refusal to sign, would seems to indicate. I want to state this. distinctly, because otherwise it may be thought that there was a split in the camp. They were. unanimous on the subject, and I think the only reason for the Hon. Member for the Chamber of Commerce refusing to sign was that ha wished to put one public work us more important than another, He thought the motion useless, As he believed that His Excellency the Governor was quite as anxious as they were to forward public works, and as they had now a large. surplus, every effort would be made to push them forward. They would bays a good bahince next year and had a balance already in hand of over one pained in desiring to bure, all stances were justified in desiring to have the important public works gone on with at once. As he had already said, he thought His Excellency the Governor anxious that these public works should be taken in hand, so he did not feel justified in supporting the amend...... - ment of the honourable member for the Cham- ber of Commence.
The Colonial Treasurer-1 should like to "10. Two minor works which we desire to know how the honourable member for the see carried out without delay are the compleChamber of Commence arrives at the balance tion of the improvenients of the Recreation of $800,000 A Ground at Happy Valley, and the provision of a proper chair shelter at the Peak.
11-As regards the former, a considerable aren of land has been suld 'in recent years in. the immediate neighbourhood, on which houses have been built, and the improvements referred to will, it is hoped, tend to overcome the ma- laria for which this district has had a bad reputation in the past, besides rendering the 12. The chair shelter may be said to be a ground available for purposes of recreation necessity from a humanitarian point of view, In the city, coolies in generally find refuge from sun or main beneath the numerous veran- dabs and trees, and it Kowloon a shelter has been in existence for some pears; but at the Peak, where the effect of the weather are much more severely felt than elsewhere, there is absolutely no protection whatever except what is provided by the pressat open matshed.
The Public Works are, in order of their in portance and urgency, latrines, shelter for -chair-coolies at the Peak, the speedy extension Another work of the most urgent im
of our means of obtaining, storing and distri-portance for the well-being of the colony is the buting water, a l'ost Office, &c.
provision of adequate Latrine accommodation throughout the city, which, we regard as one of the measures to be adopted for combating pla- ge. We are of opinion that at least six latrines should be proceeded with at once, two of which should be for women. There can be ra doubt that such provision will tend to make The Governor here ruled the Hon. member the houses of the pour more wholesome, and out of order. The Hon. T. H. Whitehead--will thus have a salutary effect on the health off moved that the vote for the erection the community generally of New Law, Courts should be reduced. by $too--which was rejected.
The latrines should be put in hand and finished before the end of next year. I earnest- ly urge that a vote be taken for the full amount. requisite to complete them during 1900.
In reply to a question in connection with jerry buildings.
The Hon. Member gave notice that he would protest to the Home Office against the mammer of the appropriation of the funds in the estimates.
The items were then passed. The Governor announced that a meeting would be held on Monday next at 12 o'clock if British residents in order
to consider what effective means might be taken to effectively assist in raising funds for the women and children whose protectors were killed in
the Transvaal, and the Council adjourned till Thursday next.
A full report of the proceedings will be given to-morrow.
FINANCE COMMITTEE, The minutes of yesterday's meeting were read and passed.
The Col. Sec. moved a vole of Five hun- dred Dollars in aid of the vote "Maintenance of Waterworks, Kowloon,"
The Hon. Cal. Treasurer seconded.-Passed.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. This mightier than Chinese superstition.
Yesterday afternoon à mecting of the Finance There is a belict among the Chinese that it is | Committee was held for the purpose of con- very bad joss to save anybody from drown.sidering the Estimates for the year 1900; part ing; sume say the "water devil wantchee hu of the proceedings appeared in our issue of yesterday, The following members were pre- others believe that they will be obliged to
sent:-The Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart being support the person whom they save frois a in the chair. The following gentlemen were watery grave.
E. Hon. H. We cannot say, to which present,
"Pollock (Acting of these beliefs the junk master owed Attorney-General), Hon. R. Murray Rumsey obedience, but anyway, yesterday, when his (Harbour Master), Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G. jonk was sailing across the barbour, it collided Plains son colonial Treasurer), Hon. R. 1). (Captain Superintendent of Police), Han A. with a sampan; the latter was capsized and Oruisby (Director of Pubic Works), Hou. Dr. the owner, gether with his wife and four Ho Kai, Hon. T. H. Whitehead, Hon. E. R. Belitios, C.M., Ben. Wei A Yuk, Hon. J. J. children, was thrown-intu...the...water.
Keswick, and Mr. R. F-Johnston (Acting Clerk of Councils). drowning man called out -" Save, life." but the junk paid no attention and sailed away. came along Fortunately another sampan and rescued the man and his family with the exception of one child. The sumpan man was able to remember the number of the junk and so, with the assistance of the police, was able to identify the junk men, who were accordingly brought up before. Mr. Gomperty this morning. The magistrate imposed a $50 fine or two months imprisonment on the junk people for not rendering assistance to persons will be “bad joss" not to save a drowning man.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
The Chairman As honourable members are aware, the object of this meeting of the Finance Committee is to consider the items in the Estimates under the heat Public Works Ex- traordinary." At the fast meeting but one of the Finance Committee at the request of hon. gurable members the consideration of these items was postponed.
MEMORANDUM FRÖM THE UNOFHCAL
MEMBERS.
The Hon, C. P. Chater-Mr. Chairman, be
I
fore we proceed with these items in rotation may minition that the unofficial mersbers have come to the conclusion that a memorandum from them to the Council would be the right thing. This memorandum I have here now, and having submitted it to you and obtained your permission I will place it upon the table. 1 may also mention, Mr. Chairman, that it is This afternoon a meeting of the Hong-signed by all the unofficial members excepting kang Legislative Council was held in the the honourable member who represents the Council Chamber at the Government Offices, Chamber of Commerce. He will no doubt in there being present His Excellency the Gov- due course explain the reason why he has not ernor (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.C.), His also signed it." Excellency Major-General Gascoigne, C.M.G, (Cominanding the troops), the lion, j. H. Stewan Lockhart, C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary), Hurray Rumsey (Harbour the Hon. R. Master), the Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G. (Captain Superintendent of Police), the Bon. A. M. Thomson (Colonial Treasurer), the-Hon.-R.-.-Ormsby. (Director of Public Works), the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, the Hon. T. H. Whitehead, the Hon. E. R. Belilios, C.M., the Hon. Wei A Yuk, the Hon. J. J. Keswick, Mr. R. F. Johnston (Acting Clerk of Councils.) Report of the Finance Committee (Nos. 8 & 9.)
The Hon Colonial secretary laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee on the estimates for 1900.
His Excellency the Governor, before putting the question for the adoption of the repaid referred to the memorandum of the non official members stating that he perfectly agreed with the various items of the memorandum but explained that he was bound by his instruc
tions from the Colonial Office.
The report was adopted.
The Hon. Col. Secretary, in the absence of the Hon. Act. Attorney General laid on the table the Report of the Standing Law Committee on the Merchant Shipping Bill.
The HonsDirector of l'ublic Works, laid on
table plans of the New Law Courts,
-
Hon. Colonial Treasurer, laid on the fable Financial Minute No. 25 for a vote of the surn of $1500 in aid of the vote "Maintenance of Water works, Kowloon."
The Hon. Col. Treasurer, in the absence of Act. Attorney-General, laid on the table the following Bills, which were passed in detail
1. First reading of a Bill entitled An Ordin ance to amend and consolidate the law relating to the carnage and possession of arms and ammunition.
2. First reading of a Bill entitled The New Territories Land Court Ordinance, 1899.
3. Third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to make further provision for the sanitation of the Colony and to repeal certain hactens of the closed houses and insanitary -dwellings Ordinance, 1894.
The Council then went into committed on the hill entitied An Ordinance to apply a sum got exceeding Twa million Six hundred and Eighty-one thousand Six hundred and Flity-one Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1909)
The items of expenditure were read The Hon. T. H. Whitehead said
1. Utg. to, move tirat the Vote in the go Estimates for Public Works Extraordinary be
The memoinadura is as follows:-
Memorandum by the undersigned unofficial Members of the Legislative Council of Hong kong, regarding the Estimates for Pablic Works Extraordinary of 1900.
13-The desirability of at once proceeding. with the construction of the new Law Courts has been alluded to in His Excellency's speech Seeing that this work will take several years to complete, it connot be too strongly urged that the work should be put in hand immediately.
The projected new Post Office is even more urgently needed. We are of opinion that this work should on no account be delayed until the completion of the new kaw. Courts, but that its construction should be commenced at the same time if possible.
14We are pleased to note that there is a with Fre long a work which we regard as of likelihood of the Jubilee Road being proceeded considerable importance in providing as outlet for the evergrowing population..
15. With these large and important Public Works in prospect, irrespective of those required in the New Territory we view with concern His Excellency's remarks regarding the staff of the Public Works Department. It is stated in His Excellency's speech that the Estimates provide $96,000 more than was expended by the Department on Extraordinary Public Works in 1898, but these Estimates provide only a moiety of the sums which we consider should be expended to enable the works referred to being carried out with des patch, whilst some of them are totally unpro
vided for.
"16-In view of this we are surprised to
entailett
The Hon. T. H. Whitehead-According to- the Governor's opening speech there will be a surplus at the end of this year of about $400,000.. The ordinary expenditure for next year is estimated at $2,888,000 and the revenue at $3.300,000 If you take the ordinary expen. dituire from the gross revenue you will find that there is a surplus of $4.39000 argilable for Public Works Extraordinary, $400,000 Snud $4,35,000 make up $800,000 in, the aggre
grter. If you refer to juge six of the Estimates you will find the figures there. I submit that the Government would be justified in asking the Council to aflow a much larger sum than $330.000 for public works during the next year. The Chairman--Do you think we should be justified in voting this $40,000 surplus in additim to this $300,000? This in-round- figures would amount to $800,000.
The Hon. -H. Whitehead-1 would not go so far as that, but I think the Government would be justified in allowing $600,000 instead: of $400,000.
The Colonial Treasurer said that as the revenue was larger than the expenditure the money would be in hand and would be avail. able for supplemental votes during the year.
--The Chairman-Although no account taken of it in the Estimates, that surplus, as the Colonial Treasurer has pointed out, is available. His Excellency, the Governor, in bis opening. remarks, informed the Council that it was his intention to expend that surplus on public cellency in his opening speech to the Council, works. That remark was made by His Ex- as honoumble members will remember
The Hon. H. Whitehead-1 quite recol lect His Excellency's statement and remarks, but all the same 1 think the Goverment would. be justified in asking the Council to vote the increased amount which I have mentioned. **** The Chairman said it was impossible to bring forward an estimate showing an excess in ex- penditure over the revenue.
The Hon, TH, Whitehead-But in the one case it is practically an assured surplus, where as you are dealing with one far distant which fight not be realised. There being such a large balance at the end of titis year, to go with the balance from last year, would justify the Government in asking the Council to expend that money in the course of next year on
urgently needed public works which have been unduly China-His-Excellency the Gover
find that notwithstanding the great amount of additional work which must be causited on this
diminished por, purposes to proceed with these" urgent. Works Estimates actually show expenditure as compared with 1899. We are public works and to apply to the Council for still further surprised to find that the contemp-supplement votes. It is only right to point lated reduction is in the Engineering Staff, out that I noticed in, the memorandum the which is surely rather in need of augmentation policy of starving public works is referred
on His Excellency's own showing, to. It is only fair to point our that the delay
17. When we consider that in 1890 a sum in carrying out public works has in a great- of $94,420 was voted for this Department as measure been due to the fact that the colony- compared with 191,402 in the Estimates under has been called upon to icet very heavy un consideration, we are still convinced of the foreseen expenditure owing to the visitation of inadequacy of the present staff
plague, and this unforeseen expenditure has 18-That this Department, with which the been met without any corresponding increase vital interests of the colony us regards sanitain the axation. That is one of the chief reasons tion, water supply, and development generally why money which if these sad events had not are so inseparably bound up, should undergo occurred would have been available for public reduction at such a tine, we consider a serious works had to to be applied to meet very heavy We have carefully studied the estimates matter, and we earnestly urge upon His Excel expenses.
The Hot T. H: Whitehead-But if it is the.
ut if it is th for the coming year in the light of His Excellency to take immediate steps to put the De lency the Governor's speech at the meeting of partinent on a footing commensurate with its intention of the Government and His Excellency Eo expend that money, the staff of the Public tlie Legislative Council held on the 14th Octo extended duties. ber last, and it is with great satisfaction we "19.--We would suggest to His Excellency Works Department Instead of being increased observe that, notwithstanding the large expen the desirability of appointing a Committee to is being reduced diture which has already been incurred in con-investigate and report on the question of the The Chairmen am not aware that the staff nection with the taking over of the New Terri-staff of the Public Works Department; and we of the Public Works Department is being-re tory, there will still remain a balance of revenue make this proposal because, as we have already; duced, and I should say that if all these public over expenditure of no less than 5,400,000 stated, the policy hitherto has been to surve works are to be pushed on next year so far from (including last year's balance) at the end of the our public works, and we recognize the imports, the staff being reduced. I think it would be current year.
ance of providing a staff sufficient to carry on. „absolutely necessary to increase it. "That is" a the large works now impending.*
matter which will of course require considéra- The Chairman-Does lié bonourable mention, and if na increase is necessary-that in- ber who has not signed the memorandum wishi | crease of course will have to be made in order to make any explanation ?
to carry out those works/
The Hon. T. H. Whitehead prefer 10 leave my remarks until later on.
When this is taken in conjunction with the fact that within the past five years the resumption of Taipingshan has been carried ou at a cost of over $850,000, defrayed entirely out of reserve, and of which but a fractional part has as yet been roturned to the Treasury, the result is still more satisfactory.
The Chairman-With regard to this mein- 3-Fortunately, the sales of land have been orandum, which the senior unofficial-member large, and have in a great measure enabled this let me see before this meeting, I will lay it be surplus to be attained, and we desire to impress force Ilis Excellency the Governor, who arillo upon His Excellency the necessity for expend.doubt deal with it at the meeting of the Council ing during the coming year this surplus upon to be held to-morrow. current and important Public Works within the limits of the colony exclusive of the New Territory.
4-Whilst we are ready to concede that certain of the contemplated works in the New Territory may be defrayed out of the general revenue, we are most decidedly of opinion that the principal works for developing it should be provided for by a Lonn
The public works in this island have been long deferred for want of funds, and now that they are available for proceeding with the most important of these works we feel bound to deprecate, in the strongest manner, any pro- posal to divert such funds to any other purpose whatever."
..his speech His Excellency alluded to the works which had been approved by the Public Works Committee as among those to be undertaken next year, and paid for out of the surplus. A reference to the list works shows that the three most important are connected with extensions of the Water works.
These
6. The necessity for undertaking, these the repeated Introduction, year after year, of works inmediately has been demonstrated by the intermittent supply which occurs just at the period when an abundant supply is most
The Hon. C. P. Chater-It was the intention of the honourable members that a copy of the memorandum should be forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies
The Hon. T. H: Whitehead-But there is a Burplus available and the Government, if it is seriously intended to carry out those works, should make the necessary provision for an increased staff. The Honourable the Director of Public Works on the th October admitted plainly that his staff was insufficient to pro- perly superintend the construction of ferry buildings. In the course of the past year quite
number of jerry buildings have come down and there has been great loss of life. It is pitiable we should be here with a large surplus The Chairman think there can be no and yet make no provision for any Increase in doubt that His Excellency will forward a copy" | the staff of the Public Works Department. to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. As The Chairman-Aș 1 have already pointed. I have said, I will lay it before His Excellency, put, I think it is almost certain that this "in
who will no doubt deaf with it to-morrow.". At
the meeting of the Council to-morrow the crease will be necessary, and it la sot jippro-
bable that beford long every bonourable men estimates will be finally considered propose, Yer will have an opportunity of giving his vote if honourable members are agreeable, that we
case Has any other hop- in favour of this now take these various items. "The Hon. T H Whitehead moved the gurable member.any remarks lo thak
regard to this amendment? amendment reported last night.
The Captain Superintendent of Polica MARATHE NEW LAW COURT Will members have an opportunity of lookingThe Chairman W
consider these items, over this inemorandum?
The Chairman Certainly. It is laid on the table and will be made public act
The Hon. Dr. Hà Knithough it was rule that in committee a motion need not be seconded and anyone, could speak on the motion.
The Chairman-That is so
.
The Hon Dr Ho Kai said The honoumble it is not
led to office member who had just spoken had
THE HON. DH, MO KAIS VIEWER