{Continued from page 51) say for the present is this—that since the Government have recognised the-grand prin- ciple of compensation, ao far as we are con cerned, as representatives of the people an this Council, we have no objection whatever to the second reading of this Bill. Of course, when the Council goes into committee on the Bill we shall very likely wish to offer a fow remarks for the consideration of the Govern meat. There is no provision made, for instance, for the spreading the unhousing of the population by this Bill. The laws of County legislation forbid regulations that unhouse populations unless adequate provision is male beforehand. We will say the Chinese population is 150,000 and that the new regula- tions will unhouse eight in twenty: then sixty thousand persons will be without habitation. Should not the Government first make pro- vision for these people? It seems to me that in a Bill of this kind some attention should be given to the poorer classes of the people and the prevention of overcrowding in future. aourse the tramway, when, it is completed, will assist us to a certain extent, but at the same time I think the Government would be advised to give its attention to a scheme for the pro- viding of house accommodation for the working classes. I think it is in that direction that we should proceed. With these few remarks I beg to support the reading of this Bill, (Applause by Hon. Wei Yuk.)
of
THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1902.-
from which this Colony has hitherto derived even although such modifications the allers much of its prosperity as a manufacturing and tions may be intended for the bene the distributing centre? I confess to having some Colony and public at large, the Governmer con misgivings about this. A very large number of all faitness ought to boar the expense of this the inhabitants, it seems pretty certain, must-ba and compensate Crown fosseas fairly for the displaced if the provisions of the Bill are en-sacrifices involved. Reform has been asked forced, and the anxious question arises how for by the Colony, and this Bill seems to the housing of these displaced ones is to ba provide for a large measure of this, and we provided for. It can hardly be wise or prudent should feel satisfied that this is being done, for a Government which should, and no doubt. for reforms have undoubtedly been greatly does, have the best interests, of the Colony at
needed. But these other considerations have heart to put into force measures having such also to be reckoned with, and it would be a effects without at the same time taking up the very un-British-like proceeding to meddle with question of providing remedial measures for well established and recognised rights without such effects of its legislation and one would due compensation. I trust therefore that in have liked to hear a good deal bearing on this dealing with this most vital point fairness, if most important point, and I cannot help not liberality, will be the motto governing tha thinking it most unfortunato, to put it in the practice. Much has been alleged at times as mildest form, that Government has said to the iniquities of the landlord class, but nothing on this matter. As to the many tech- look upon that as a sort of natural antipathy nical bearings of the portion of the Bill special- on the part of the Avi pollet of rent paying referring to building it is hardly possible for mankind towards the comparatively few rent a non-expert to say exactly how these receivers, commonly dubbed the "grasping will work put in practice, but we have had rackrenting landlords," but it must be recollect considerable assistance in forming some ap.. ed that these last have their rights as well as preciation of these from results of the
jealously guarded by the British legislature, and the others, rights which have always been most in this case rights under which they hold their lands from the Crown appear to be threatened with serious alterations or modifications by this Bill, which provides for some measure of com- pensation, but to my idea further compensation in certain respects is necessary. Another most important point seems to me to be the absolute necessity, if the provisions of this Bill are to he put into force, that the matter of resumptions, and subsequent laying out of such resumed properties be only carried out under some well considered and definite plan. We have a pretty bad' example before us of the evils resulting from the haphazard style in the past of laying out the town, and it will never do to let any- thing of that sort become the fashion in regard to resumption and subsequent laying out. Et may be said with truth that in nearly every respect the necessity for this Bill has been brought about by the necessity for repairing the evil resulting from past neglect and faulty legislation.
Hon. G. W. F. Playfair-Your Excellency, in the first place I desire to express thanks to the two experts whose labours and investiga- tions fully justified the petition sent home to the Secretary of State. Thanks are also due to Mr.; Chamberlain for so. promptly taking notice of it, and thanks to the Government for taking the steps to put in through. The Bill, which is a large and comprehensive one, and one which should do a great deal to remove the black
researches the various property owners made through their professional advisers. One thing I feel sure the community ardently desires to arrive at in regard to those matters, if possible, is some sort of duality in regard to such legisla- tion. I observe that Mr. Chadwick in his. remarks on the Bill he drew up says that his Draft Ordinance has for its object the avoidance of the necessity for further-sanitary legislation for the next few years," which qualification is in a sense rather disquioting, to day the least, and is likely to be productive of considerable misgivings on the part of those interested in property here, as well as on the part of the general public; for since the first visitation of the plague in 1894 we have had wo fewer than four new or amending Ordinances brought into force relating to building, the last as late as 1901, and eleven relating to sanita- tion and kindred matters, and the Bill now before us proposes to repeal in part in full no fewer than 23 Ordinances, all relating to build- ing and sanitation, and passed in the compara- tively short space of the past 15 years, and this continual introduction of fresh legislation bearing. on the same subjects cannot fail to have, and des have, the effect of creating misgivings and grestuacertainty in the mind ofthe public, which must be bad for the place and its prosperity. If only the public could be reassured on this point it would, to say the least, be a very great benefit all round. Another matter closely identifici with these measures is the provision of an ade- quare staff_in_the_Sanitary and Public Works-record-of-overcrowding, filth, and insanitary Departments to ensure their being efficiently carried out. Without these the objects aimed at by the Bill will be considerably-impaired, if aot aullified, and i would desire to make strong representations on this point. In regard to the question of compensation, there will no doubt be some difference of opinion.. This question of compensation for disturbance is no doubt a thorny one, but it has nevertheless to be hand- led and personally I think that Crown lessees have many good and valid reasons to adduce why they should not be treated any worse in respect of this than the home laws allow in lika instances. I understand that is the ground they take up in this matter, and a very reason. able gro and it seems to me. In ordinary every- day file if two persons enter into an agree ment and if subsequently one of the parties to that agreement desires to vary or modify any of the terms thereof, such could only be done by mutual arrangement and by the payment of compensation for any loss to the other party which might be shown to be brought about by the changes proposed, and so in like manner with changes necessitated by this Bill. The Governmentin days gone by have leased certain lands on certain terms and conditions to certain lessees, and it is now proposed to in various ways modify the terms of these Crown leases, or to impose conditions connected with the use and enjoyment of the land which were not in existence when the Government soldthe land and which will to some extent interfere with rights in the properties concerned. Broadly speaking it appears to me that if the laws have been observed by the Crown lessees, the law govern ing the laying out of their property, and that relating to the construction and occupation, &c., of the buildings, if all these have been complied with, and if another law be now in- troduced and put into force modifying or altering these conditions of the Crown leases, ASK for ASAHI JAPANESE BEER AS ASAHI JAPANESE BEER-
Hon. C. S. Sharp.-I think we may well con gratulate ourselves upon the fact that the last Public Health and Buildings Bill has been withdrawn, and that some time has been spent in devoting attention to the Bill now before us, for it is evident that such additional time has been well employed, as the new Bill in very many of its particulars shows very great im- provement on its predecessor, and I would even go so far as to say that what in some particulars was rather an absurd Bill has been turned into one of much more reasonable and workable character. I fully approve of the spirit of this Bill, which I think will bo welcomed by the thinking portion of the community as a step distinctly in the right direct on the direction of setting our house and Colony more in order from a sanitary point of view, and thereby assisting in putting a stop to the necessity for the heavy expenditure entailed of recent years-in combatting the epidemics which have unfortunately, visited this port, to say nothing of removing the serious disabilities and inconveniencas from which the important commercial interests of the port have been suffering from same cause. I am a firm believer in the saving virtues of more light and air as one of the best means in assisting to combat and remove these epidemics and diseases, of which we have unfortunately had far too much of recent years, and this Bill will undoubtedly go far to provide this remedy, but there is an old proverb that one may be able to lead a horse to the water, but not be able to force him to drink when he is got there, and we shall still have to see if the occupier of houses can be induced to avail themselvas properly of all the sanitary measures which will be provided by this Bill. It is well, too, to remember that the experience of the past year goes some way to show that with the present existing laws, and a timaly cleansing well ahead of the season when these diseases usually make their appearance, and other sanitary precautions taken in good time, such as the extermination of rats, &c., these outbreaks can be considerably mitigated, if indeed they cannot be prevented altogether; at all events there seem to be some reasonable ground, for such a belief. Some interests will undoubtedly be pinched by the measures in con- templation, and no doubt some matters in the Bill will require amendment or modification in Committee, but the main principles of the Bill; I think, are to be commended. The question. arises whether the measures in contemplation are of too drastic a nature, and this is a point to which it will be necessary to give the most careful attention. There must undoubtedly be a point at which the necessary items of expense and expediency come in, the cost as weighed against the advantage proposed to be gained. Shall we be paying too dear for our whistle? Shall we be driving away Chinese population from the Colony, and thus bring loss to the community and all its interests, possibly by causing living expenses to go up to such a point that labour will become so much dearer and scarcer, and thus cut off one of the advantages
Girault.
SINGER
SEWING
IF YOU BUY
SINGER
THE
G.
conditions with their natural concomitant of at the Attorney-General trying to say disease and plague. I was very much amused black was white over a certain clause at the end of that petition, but I repudiate the construction he tried to put upon it. As chairman of that committee' "which sent in the petition, I utterly repudiate it on my own behalf and on those who signed it. It does not stand to reason that any sensible person would accept the construction put upon it. I may say personally that I am thoroughly in favour of this Bill. Personally, the altera tions and additions which have been made in the new addition to the Bill 1 thorough'y ap prove of. In fact, it was almost in fine with what I stated in the month of July, but as regards slum properties. I am afraid the Senior Unofficial Member rather took upon himself too much when he included me in say ing he was speaking for the unofficial members, for he has not consulted the unofficials and have to repudiate anything he said in favour of more compensation. I am not at all in favour of compensation for cubicles. The Senior Unofficial Member referred to the landlords getting as much per cent, that is the root of the whole matter, so much per cent. That is why they buy stum property, because they get far more than from any ordinary investment; and why should they be considered? They have put up the reatals. at the least too per cent, in the last ten years. Are you asking the ratepayers to go and save them? There are two sides to that; the ratepayers have also to be considered. I am afraid the Senior Un. official Member is rather holding a brief for the landlords. He referred to the displaced population. It is not proposed to displace the papalation all at once, and the process will act automatically, New houses will be built gradually; the tram will extend; and the SK for ASAHI JAPANESE BEER-
G. Girault,
whole thing is a bugbear to think that it will be taken as a reason that the Bill should not be proceeded with on those lines. I had intended to go into matters on the report of the Com but I was glad to hear that the Attorney- mission appointed by Sir William Robinson, General went into that thoroughly. It is a most important point to see the signatories of the petition. I simply wish to say for myself that I am thoroughly in accord with the Bilf, and most. intelligent people in the Colony are, notwith- standing the aspersions of my friend the Attomey-General (Applause.)
HE. Sir Henry Blake-In view of some observations that have been made by one or two bon, members, especially by Mr. Sharp, 1 should be glad to explain in reference to this Bill that there is nothing in the Bill now before the Council that, was not in the original Bill The difference is that certain things have been deleted, and I think that if he looks over and compares the Bills the hon. member will see that except in a very few instances the one thing they had gone into in the new Hill was the compensation question. It is a repetition originally. We have considered it at length. of a large portion of the Bill as introduced The hon. member in his observations said very properly that there had been frequent legisla tion on the subject of sanitation, and the hon. member quoted quite a large number of mea. sures which had been passed within the past few years on sanitation and deprecated the introduction at frequent intervals of fresh legislation.
quite agrea with the hon. member in his view as to the inadvisability of that, but I think if you look over this Bill you will find it is a consolidation Bill and there is really very little fresh legislation in it. In it the previous sanitation Ordinances are con-. solidated to enable the people of the Sanitary Department to have in their hands everything that is known in the Colony, everything that is law with reference to their particular duty; and instead of having to roam over the various Ordinances of the Colony during the past number of years all the Ordinances of this kind in force are brought together and placed in onc Ordinance to which the Sanitary Department officials can refer. I think the hon. member will agree that it is better that the laws should be so consolidated than that the Sanitary "Department should be compelled to look over a large number of Ordinances to make them. selves acquainted with them and so on, A very large question that has been brought forward by the hob. member is the question of what is to be done with the large number of of this Ordinance, I quite agree with that, But people who must be displaced by the operations thou, on the other hand, the Ordinance is not necessarily be slow and the broad question wi going to act at a moment's police, Action must present itself to us whether it is better that we should suddenly undertake a large measure of socialist legislation by the Government entering with the public manay into competition with those whose business it is to build and supply houses for the accommodation of the people or whether we should leave that to the ordinary operation of commercial principles; and my own view is that it is better to leave it to the ordinary operation, especially here in Hong- kong where there are societies and individuals who have money and are quite ready to supply it when they find that the public require it. With regard to the remarks of Mr. Playfair I must say I differ a little with him in bis estimate with reference to the petition that was sent home, because I think that if he will take the trouble to read carefally Mr. Chadwick's report it has completely blown out of the water his own statement that the Government or the Public Works Department had neglected the recommendations made by Mr. Chadwick However, I made these few observations because I understand the Attorney-General does not wish to answer them, as perhaps be has not studied these matters so carefully as have done for two or three years. I earnestly hope that this Bill will go through and I hope wa will find some finality in this necessary legislation on sanitary matters, and that the rasult will be, what we all hope, beneficial to this Colony and possibly in the future it may. prevent the recurrence of these terrible epidemics of plague which have done so much mischief in the past. (Applause.)
The second reading of the Bill was proceeded with and afterwards the Council adjourned til
next Thursday when the Ordinances will be discussed in detail.
Mails.
NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA
(THE JAPAN MAIL STEAMSHIP COMPANY.)
PROJECTED SAILINGS FROM HONGKONG,-SUBJECT TO ALTERATION.
STEAMERS.
WAKASA MARU.
BINGO MARU..
J. W. Mcmillan......
T.Davies.....
DESTINATIONS.
(MARSEILLES, LONDON & ANT- SATURDAY, 29th Nov., at
"WERP, VIA SINGAPORE, PENANG,
COLOMBO and PORT SAID KOBE and YOKOHAMA
BAILING DATES,
Daylight.
MONDAY, 1st Dec.,
4 P.M.
(VICTORIA, B.C., and SEATTLE,
4 P.M. TUESDAY, and Deci, at.
Noon.
IYO MARU*
C. H. Butler HIROSHIMA MARU
T. Murai KAGOSHIMA MARU... BOMBAY, VIA SINGAPORE andį FRIDAY 5th Dec., at
»K. Kari
1 COLOMBO
Noon.
U.S.A., VIA SHANGHAL MOJI, NA TUESDAY, and Dec., at GASAKI, KOBE and YOXOHAMA .... KOBE and YOKOHAMA
• Through Passenger Tickets issued for the Principal Cities in the United States, Canada and Europe, in connection with the GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY and Atlantic-Steamers. Passengers have the Option of Travelling by the Saaye Railway. Round-the-World Tickets also issued. Between Moji and Kobe, 1st and 2nd Class Through
For further Information as to Freight, Passage, Sailings, &c., apply at the Company's Local Branch Office in Prince's Building, 1st Floor, Chater Road.
Hongkong, 28th November, "ioz.
COMPAGNIE DES MESSAGERIES MARITIMES.
PAQUEDOTS-POSTE FRANCAIS.
NOTICE,
STEAM FOR -SAIGON" SINGAPORE, BATAVIA, COLOMBO, BOMBAY, ADEN, EGYPT, AND BLACK SEA PORTS, LONDON, MARSEILLES, MEDITERRANEAN
HAVRE, BORDEAUX;
ALSO
PORTS OF BRAZIL AND RIVER PLATE, ON MONDAY the Company's, Steamship AN the 1st December, 1902, "SYDNEY," Captain Negre, with Mails, Passengers, Specie and Cargo, will leave this Part for MARSEILLES, via BOMBAY,
the s.s. Polynesien, which vessel takes on This Steamer connects at COLOMBO with her Passengers and Mails leaving that Port on the 13th December Direct to Suas, Port Said and Marseilles.
1
A. S. MIHARA, Manager.
ENTAL
ORIENT
NINSULAR &
STEAR
INCOME
THE PENINSULAR AND ORIENTAL STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY.
STRAITS, CEYLON, AUSTRALIA, INDIA, STEAM FOR
ADEN, EGYPT, MEDITERRANEAN PORTS, PLYMOUTH AND (Through Bills of Lading issued for BATAVIA, LONDON,
PERSIAN GULF, CONTINENTAL, AMERI- CAN and SOUTH AFRICAN PORTS.)
Cargo and Specie will be registered for Lon."THE Steamship don as well as for Marseilles, and accepted in transit through Marseilles for the principal Captain F. J. Fox, carrying His Majesty's places of Europe.
"PARRAMATTA,"
Shipping Orders will be granted till Noon. Mails, will be despatched from this for Specie and Parcels until 3 P.M., on the 30th at Noon, taking Passengers and Cargo for the Cargo will be received on board until 4 P., BOMBAY,on SATURDAY, the 6th December, instant. (Parcels are not to be sent on board; love Forts. they must be left at the Agency's Office.) Con. tents and Value of Packages are required. pany's Office.
For further Particulars, apply at the Combe transhipped at Colombo into a steamer
proceeding direct to Marseilles and London other Cargo for London, &c., will be conrayed vid Bombay with Transhipment
G. DE CHAMPEAUX, Agent. Hongkong, 18th November, 1902
(1004
NORTHERN PACIFIC STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
BOSTON STEAMSHIP COMPANY.
BOSTON TOW-BOAT COMPANY.
PROPOSED SAILINGS FROM HONGKONG, VIA
SK for ASAHI JAPANESE BEER SHANGHAI, INLAND SEA OF JAPAN, AG. Giranit.
MEMORY POINTS ABOUT
SINGER
SIMPLE.
SEWING
STRONG.
MACHINES.
SILENT.
SOLD - ON INSTALMENTS, AND FOR CASH.
SPEEDY.
KOBE AND. YOKOHAMA, FOR VICTORIA, BC, AND TACOMA, IN CONNECTION WITH
NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY.
Steamers. Captalas. Tons. 1902-03
Silk and Valuabies, all Cargo for France, and Tes for London (under arrangement) will
Parcels will be received at this Office until Value of all Packages are required. P.M. the day before sailing. The Contents and
Shippers are particularly requested to aute the terms and conditions of the Company's Bills of Lading.
For further Particulars, apply to
EA HEWETT,
Superintendent.
Hongkong, 22nd November, 1001, **
To be Let.
-
TO LET.
No 4, and 6, RICHMOND...
O. LADDER STREET TERRACE, and TERRACE.
CEWARREN & CO.
30, Des Voeux Road, Central-· Hongkong, 26th November, 1902; *[rsgod
Apply to
6
2,811 Dec. 17 9,606 Dec. 30 3,502 Jan. 3.
Glenegls G. E. Warner.. 3,750 Dec. Tacoma...... A. Dixon
Tremont......
Victoria J. Panton
Steamers marked (*) have no passenger accommodation.
The attention of passengers is directed to the very cheap ratas offered by this line to the Pacific Coast and to the Interior and Eastern Cities of the United States and to Europe.
Special rates allowed to members of Gover- ment Services.
Through Bills of Lading issued to Pacific Coast Points and to the Principal Cities in the United States and Canada.
NO.4
TO LET.
[0.4, KNUTSFORD TERRACE.-Kow-
LOON. Apply to
THE HONGKONG LAND INVEST- MENT & AGENCY CO., LD. Hongkong, árst November, 1902.
[1261d
TO LET.
'EVERAL NEWLY BUILT EUROPEAN HOUSES in LEIGHTON HILL ROAD Apply to
For further Information as to Freight or: Passage, apply to
DODWELL, & CO., LIMITED, No.
General Agents. Hongkong. 24th November, r002. 18740
Insurance,
NORTH GERMAN FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY OF HAMBURG;
WE make but one grade of product, admitted to be the best; hence attempts at imitation, WE deal directly with the people, through our own employees all over the world, selling 1,000,000 Machines Class FOREIGN and CHINESE-RISKS.
annually,
YOU get an up-to-date Machine, built on honour, to wear a life-time. YOU get it for the Lowest Price at which such a machine can be furnished. YOU will receive careful instruction from a competent teacher at your home. YOU can obtain necessary accessories direct. from the Company's offices.
YOU will get prompt attention in any part of the world; our offices are everywhere, and we give careful attention to all customers, no
matter where their machines may have been purchased.. YOU will be dealing with the leading, sewing machine manufacturers in the world, having an unequalled expreience and an unrivalled
reputation to maintain the strongest guarantee of excellence and fair dealing,
SINGER MANUFACTURING
COMPANY,
GENERAL OFFICE FOR CHINA:
18, BANK BUILDINGS, CORNER QUEEN'S ROAD AND WYNDHAM STREET, HONGKONG. BRANCHES IN EVERY CITY IN THE WORLD AND AGENTS IN EVERY TOWN, RETAIL OFFICES: 3A, WYNDHAM STREET, HONGKONG.
04, ELGIN ROAD,JKOWLOON,
HE Undersigned AGENTS of the above)
CURRENT RATES...
Hongkong, 28th May, 18ot,...
SIEMSSEN & Co.
Masonic.
ZETLAND..
LODGE,
(25
No. 115,-E.C. REGULAR MEETING of ZETLAND
A LODGE will be hold at the FREE
MASONS' HALL, Zetland Street, on MONDAY,* the 1st December, at 8.30 for 9 p.m. precitaly. Visiting Brethren are cordially invited to attend. Hongkong. 15th November, 700712803
For Sale
FOR SALE
THE HONGKONG & KOWLOON LAND & LOAN CO., LD. 8 Queen's Road West, Hongkong, 20th October, 100% frrojd
'WES
TO LET
JESTLEY," UPPER RICHMOND ROAD,
Apply to
LAU CHU-PAK, Clo. A. S. WATSON & CO., LTD Hongkong, 15th October, 1903. (1085d
TO LET.
MEIRION NO. 2, the Peak, 6-Rooms House near the Flagstaff; from ryth October, 1902
Apply to
E JONES HUGHES. Hongkong, 7th October, 1902
TO LET.
[tos3d
TOUSES CLIFTON GARDENS, CON-
Hot
DUIT ROAD,
GODOWNS at BOWRINGTON, Praya East, HOUSES at CAUSEWAY BAY, facing the
Polo Ground.
"THE RETREAT-MT. KELLETT, No. 2, RIPON TERRACED
Apply
to
THE HONGKONG LAND INVEST. MENT &AGENCY CO. LD, Hongkong, 17th September, 1901,
N
TAI
LOONG.
• and 3, Lyndhurst Persicer
ONE BROADWOOD PIANO.
Apply at
FEW Kid Gloves, Fancy Dress Goods, ROOM No 16,
Capes and Jackets, Flannels and Serges Hongkong Hotel Wool Shawls „Hongkong, yin August, 1993.
(83651: Hongkong, làth Octcburi tgvi.