16. In respect of the larger public works and undertakings in which the Government has been engaged during the past twelve months, I may mention that, in spite of an unprecedentedly sickly season among the workmen at Tytam, good progress has been made in the construction of the new water-works, and that partial relief may be expected from the subsidiary supplies in connexion with these works. The erection of Victoria College also progresses satisfactorily, and the new building will, I trust, be ready for occupation early in 1888. New Police buildings have been commenced both at Kennedy Town and at Mount Gough for the protection of the residents in those localities, and proposals will be duly submitted to you for the construction of Police Stations near Quarry Bay and at Aberdeen. Arrangements are also in course of completion for beginning the erection of the proposed new Central Market Building during the coming year.
17. In conclusion I am confident that our labours during the present session, probably the last at which I shall have the honour of co-operating with you, will be marked by the same zeal for the welfare of the Colony that has always been manifested by the Members of this Council in past years, and that the measures to be submitted to you will receive at your hands that careful and attentive consideration which has always characterized the proceedings of this Council.
Enclosure 2.
ADDRESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG IN REPLY TO THE SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (THE HON. W. H. MARSH, C.M.G.) AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION ON THE 5TH OF NOVEMBER, 1886.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,
We learn with satisfaction from the Address delivered by Your Excellency that the favourable anticipations formed respecting the Revenue of the Colony for the year will most probably be realized, and we believe that the increase which has yearly taken place in the Revenue will be maintained.
We think we may safely rely upon the Revenue of 1888 being sufficient to meet the demands which may be made upon it. We agree with Your Excellency that it is still necessary to exercise a strict supervision over the expenditure.
2. We learn with pleasure that a sum of $12,000 is all that will be required in 1888 to complete the Taitam Water-Works.
3. Among the measures which Your Excellency proposes to present for the consideration of the Council, we attach special importance to the following:---
A Bill dealing with the Triad and other Secret Societies;
A Bill for the better Protection of young Girls; and
A Bill for the Police supervision of certain Criminals.
This last measure, in presence of the number of recommittals, we believe to be greatly needed.
4. We observe with approval that a Bill embodying the recommendation of the recent Gaol Commission respecting whipping for certain offences has been prepared.
5. With respect to the other Bills mentioned in Your Excellency's Address, we trust that they may, during this Session, be added to the Statute-book, as, judging from their titles, we believe that they will prove eminently beneficial to the interests of the Colony.
6. We learn with satisfaction that the question of a Lighthouse for the Southern approach to the Colony is at last receiving serious attention, and we hope that shortly this matter will take a practical shape. The want of such a light has been much felt for many years, and no other port of the world of the magnitude of Hongkong is without a leading light to its principal approach.
7. We join Your Excellency in regretting that there should be any difficulty in carrying out a scheme so desirable and so greatly needed as the extension of the Praya.
8. It is satisfactory to learn that progress is being made with the larger Public Works and undertakings of the Colony, and that arrangements for the erection of the new Central Market are well advanced.
9. We have heard with regret that this is probably the last Session during which Your Excellency will preside over this Council, and we beg to assure you of our hearty co-operation in all such measures conducive to the welfare of the Colony as Your Excellency may bring before us.