LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 25.
WEDNESDAY, 21ST APRIL, 1886.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G. Administering the Government in the absence of His Excellency SIR GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, G.C.M.G.
Ilis Honour the Chief Justice, (SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt.)
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (FREDERICK STEWART, LL.D.)
the Acting Attorney General, (EDWARD JAMES ACKROYD.)
the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LASTER.)
the Surveyor General, (JOHN MACNEILE PRICE.)
PHINEAS RYRIE.
WILLIAM KESWICK.
WONG SHING.
ABSENT:
The Honourable P. RYRIE.
T. JACKSON.
W. KESWICK.
WONG SHING, and THE MOVER.
PAPERS.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the following papers:
(a.) Report of the Superintendent of Victoria Gaol, for 1885. (No. 19.)
(b.) Minute by the Collector of Stamp Duty on a proposed increase of the duties by 50 per cent. (No. 20.)
(c.) Statement showing the Total Receipts and Payments in the year 1885. (No. 21.)
(d.) Comparative Statement of Revenues received during the last 10 years, 1876 to 1885. (No. 22.)
(e.) Comparative Statement of Expenditure, during the last 10 years, 1876 to 1885. (No. 23.)
(f) Statement of Assets and Liabilities on the 31st December, 1885. (No. 24.)
BILL ENTITLED THE STAMP ORDINANCE, 1886.--FIRST READING.--REFERENCE TO SPECIAL COMMITTEE.--On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer, seconded by the Honourable P. RYRIE, this Bill was read a first time.
The Honourable T. JACKSON, and the Honourable W. KESWICK, respectively, addressed the Council. The Treasurer then addressed the Council, and moved that the Bill be referred to a Special Committee consisting of:--
The Honourable THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL.
His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government addressed the Council. Question--put and passed.
BILL ENTITLED THE SPIRIT LICENCE ORDINANCE, 1886.--FIRST READING.--On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.
The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the second reading of this Bill.
PRIVATE BILL.--On the motion of the Surveyor General, seconded by the Honourable P. RYRIE, a Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Incorporation of the Procurator for the Dominican Missions in the Far East, in Hongkong, was read a first time.
The Surveyor General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the second reading of this Bill.
BILL ENTITLED THE CATHEDRAL ORDINANCE, 1886.--MOTION FOR SECOND READING WITHDRAWN.--The Honourable T. JACKSON withdrew the motion for the second reading of this Bill, pending its reference to the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
BILL ENTITLED THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES AND FESTIVALS ORDINANCE, 1886.--THIRD READING.--PASSED.--On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Honourable W. KESWICK, this Bill was read a third time.
Question put--that this Bill do pass.
Bill passed.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO VAGRANTS.--ADDITIONAL CLAUSE.--The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move an additional clause to this Bill.
POSTPONEMENT OF THE OTHER ORDERS OF THE DAY.--The Acting Attorney General moved that the other Orders of the Day be postponed.
ADJOURNMENT.--The Council then adjourned to Wednesday, the 7th proximo, at 4 P.M.
Read and confirmed, this 7th day of April, 1886.
ARATHOON SETH, Clerk of Councils.
W. H. MARSH, Administering the Government.
The Honourable the Attorney General, (EDWARD LOUGHLIN O'MALLEY,) on leave.
THOMAS JACKSON, on leave.
FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON, on leave.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 14th instant, were read and confirmed.
VOTE OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.--Read the following Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:--
W. H. MARSH.
The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of $700 for the erection of a matshed as a temporary Police Station at the Peak.
The Military Authorities having now withdrawn the objection raised in 1883 to the building of a permanent Station at this spot, it is in contemplation to construct a Station later in the year; but, as it is necessary to provide Police protection during the summer months, a matshed will have to be erected at once.
Government House, Hongkong, 21st April, 1886.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that this Minute be referred to the Finance Committee. The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question--put and passed.
PAPERS.--The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the Blue Book for 1885, together with a Report thereon by the Chief Clerk. (No. 28).
BILL READ A SECOND TIME.--On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Bill entitled The Stamp Ordinance, 1886, was read a second time.
The Colonial Treasurer gave notice that at the next meeting he would move that the Council go into Committee on this Bill.
BILLS COMMITTED.--On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council went into Committee on the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Law as to Sales of Land by Public Auction.
Bill reported without amendment.
The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the third reading of this Bill.
On the motion of the Surveyor General, seconded by the Honourable P. RYRIE, the Council went into Committee on the Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Incorporation of the Procurator for the Dominican Missions in the Far East, in Hongkong.
Bill reported with amendment.
The Surveyor General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the third reading of this Bill.
On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Treasurer, the Council went into Committee on the Bill entitled The Loan Ordinance, 1886.
Bill reported without amendment.