1
Surveyor-General
that
bad pointed out the reduced supply of water would not reduce The the estimates in the same proportion.
mistake with regard to Pok-fu-loin had resulted from its not being suficiently surveyed, and they should not repeat the error now.
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Hon. Mr. MAY, who said he had not read the report, but spoke from his own knowledge, observed that before that anpply was in existence, but when the population was as large as it is now, the city obtained a sufficient
in water though not supply of venient a way or as he should like the Colony to be supplied now. The report went upon the basis that the Chinese required as much water as the Europeans; but no- body who knew anything about their babits would come to this conclusion. Throughout the Winter months, they certainly did not nee two gallons per head. For the purposes of flashing the drains, and for fire purposes, water could be got in unlimited quantities from the Bea. He was, therefore, strongly of opinion that we did not want additional water for ne cessary sasteatation of our enlarged population, and knowing as well as anyone the habits of the people, and what their real demands were, he must say that the supply of water we now got, if carefully and economically need, was sufficient, and that really the Colony ought not to be called apou to pay any further ex- penae. His opinions were formet entirely apart from the report, but he thought if the Connell took into consideration whether there was any serious demand for a supply of water, they would arrive at the conclusion that at the present time, the Pok-fn-lum reger- voir would give us all that we
He alluded to the waste of water which took place early in the morning when there was nobody about to stop it. He thought that by care as to the amount required by the occupants of the various tenements, a check might be put npor this.
want.
Mr. RYRIE eoncurred in the main with what fell from the last speaker. He certainly thought Chinese residents did not require 15 gallons a day. It had also occurred to him. though not being a professional man be could not speak positively, that sea water might be pumped up and utilised for many purposes.
Mr. AUSTIN submitte that the Council hav. ing given instructions to the Surveyor-General, it was rather late in the day to say they did not want more water. Previously, the Council had been fully of opinion that it was requisite. It was possible 15 gallons were more than the Chinese required, but some of the Europeans would exceed the average amount, and that ex- cess would have to be got at by this difference. He did not think the Chinese required less than the lower orders at home where the average was struck in this manner.
The CHIEF Justice asked what specifie re. solution was passed, so that they could see how far they were bound.
Mr. WHITTALL was quite prepared to, admit that a larger supply of water was necessary, but when they considered the subject before, they contemplated an estimate of about $400,000. If they bad made a mistake, the sooner they got out of it the better.
Mr. AUSTIN said no doubt the original figures were in excess of what the Colony could bear, but the Surveyor-General had now come for- ward and given a reduced estimate, and bad also specified that by a re-survey he might make a serioas reduction. Under these cir- cumstances, be thought it would be better to let the matter go on. An increase on the pro- sent water rate of 2 per cent. gave $38,000, the interest, supposiue the gohome cost £283,000 would be only another 4 per cent., and the sink- ing fund would be only 4 per cent. But if the further reduction were made, this would be a sixth less He was quite satisfied himself that they ought to give the Surveyor-General some
chance.
Mr. ROWETT did not think that 15 gal. lons would be too much, and thought that all the houses in the Colony should have A full supply. He also agreed that the Surveyor-General had produced an admirable report, but the only difficulty was we could not afford the money. The Colony was not at present in a very flourishing condition as to trade Although it had increased it had not been profitable, and he observed of late in the papers more advertisements thau ever of houses to let. He also thought it would be most unwise, under the existing cir- cumstances, for the Government to go into debt. What they wanted was as much water as they could get for as much as they could afford to pay, as they must make both ends incet. It the Surveyor-General could give them a scheme
not beyond their means, he would confer a great benefit on the Colony,
Mr. HAYLLAR thought it would be desirable to refer the matter to a Committee of ways sud means. Several alternative schemes had been suggested, among which was the subsidary scheme at Pok-foo-lam. If the survey were made the Council could easily appoint a Committee. His EXCELLENCY, in reply to the question I put by the Chief-Justice," said that after his arrival in the Colony the question of water supply had been discussed in Council, and so ananimons was their opinion that more water was wanted that they sent home to Eng land for a competent officer to come out and report on the whole subject. The matter was referred by the Secretary of State to Mr. Rawlinson, but just at that time Mr. Price
was
appointed Surveyor-General to this Colony; and, in consequence, the gentleman as proposed did not come out. He agreed that the Chinese did not require so much water, but it was our duty to teach them better habits for our own sakes, for if we found small-pox, or typhoid fever, or Cholera in the Colony, wo should have to blame ourselves. If the Coun- eil agreed to it, he would propose a resolution that $2,500 be allowed for à detail survey. With this, the Surveyor-General would have the full information before him, and would thus be able to form a better opinion. He would then propose that a Committee of the Council be appointed to consider the ways and means, and ho thought they would be the much better able to come to a conclusion as to what the actual cost would be, and to report to the Council.
Mr. Rower then proposed a resolution to
the effect that a sam not to exceed $5,000 be placed at the disposal of the Executive for the purpose of making a detail survey, and for such experiments in connection with the water | supply as might seem necessary;
Mr. RYRTA seconded the motion--which was carried.
THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT:
. . the GOVERNOR then laid upon the Council table an Ordinauce to em. power the Governor to exercise certain powers under the above act.
The ACHING AFTORNEY-GWNERAL explained the nature of the measure, which was to extend to this Colony the provisions of an addition to the Merchant Shipping Act which, as the members were no doubt aware, had been intro- duced by r. Plimsoll during the last session. It would have been advantageous if this enact- went had been in force before, as it would baer met a recent case which led to a great disas- ter. Anyone could have demanded a survey of the vessel, and if there had been one, she would probably have never been allowed to! start from the wharf. The Merchant Shipping Act was an Imperial measure which applied to the Colony in itself, but it was necessary to confer upon the Governor powers similar to those exercised at home by the Board of Trade, Under this act, anybody could demand a survey and, if after one, the vessel was found to be unseaworthy, the owner had to pay the ex- penses of the survey; and if the survey had been unnecessarily called for, then the expenses would have to be borne by the person demand- ing it, and if he was not to a position to pay, the expense fell upon the Governor. If any one were dissatisfied with the survey made, he could appeal to the local Vice-Admiralty Court, who might order a fresh survey to be i made. The measure was one of great national importance, and all they were asked to do was to give effoot to it. He would, therefore, aug- gest that the standing rules should be suspend- ed, and the Ordinance passed on the first read- ing.
H. E. the GovEBNOR expressed his assent, and the Council concurred.
The CHIEF JUSTICE wished to say a few words with reference to the 14th clause in the. Ordinance which provided for an appeal to the Vice Admiralty Court. At home the powers exercised nuder the Imperial Act were vested in the Board of Trade, and there was, as he thought very properly, a right of appeal from this body to the Court of Admiralty. Tais was a desirable, and he thought a neces- sary check. The Board of Trade was composed of ten of the world. To-day, it might be under s the Conservatives-to-morrow, it might be again under the Liberals. The Board of Trade was relatively to the Vice-Admiralty Court in a much lower position, but it would be thought rather unseemly that there shon'd be an appeal from the Governor of the Colony to one! of the Judges-even though that Judge might be one who stood mucb bigher in the profession than he himself. He would propose, therefore,
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