Daily
Enclosure 3.
Press," 6th October,
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
The Session of the Hongkong Legislative Council was opened yesterday afternoon. The Chief Justice, Hon. Sir George Phillippo, took the chair while the proclamation was being read, and there were also present:-
Hon. F. STEWART, Acting Colonial Secretary. Hon. B.J.ACKROYD. Acting Attorney-General, Hon. A. LISTER, Colonial Treasurer. Hon. J. M. PRICE, Surveyor-General. Hon. H. G. THOMSETT, Harbour Master. Hon. P. RYRIE.
Hon. F. D. SASSOON.
Hon. WONG SHING.
Hon. A. P. MACEWEN.
Hon. J. BELL-IRVING.
Mr. A. SETH, Clerk of Councils.
The proclamation convening the Session having been read, a message was sent to the Acting Governor informing him that the Council was in Session.
(Here follows the Governor's Speech).
(See Enclosure 4.)
His Excellency then left the Council Chamber, and the Chief Justice resumed the chair.
THE REPLY TO THE ACTING GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY moved that a Committee be appointed to prepare a reply to the Address of His Excellency, the Committee to consist of the Acting Attorney-General, the Colonial Treasurer, Hon. P. Ryrie. Hon. F. D. Sassoon, Hon. J. Bell-Irving, and the Acting Colonial Secretary.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded. Carried.
The Council then adjourned until a quarter to five. On reassembling the following reply prepared by the Committee was read by the Clerk of Councils:
(Here follows the reply to the Address.) (See Enclosure)
Hon. P. RYRIE Hon President of the Legislative Council. I rise to propose the adoption of the Reply to the Address of H. E.the Administrator which has just been read by the Clerk of Councils. I think we must all see that H. E. the Administrator, in his Address to us, was placed in a rather delicate position.
He could only state what has been done and what he has arranged to be done; he could not commit himself to anything beyond that, as the time that he has to preside over this Council is uncertain. I think we must all admit that he could have said nothing further than he has. I think that we can congratulate ourselves, although we are not particularly overflowing with wealth, that our position as regards funds is not an unsatisfactory one. We see from this year's returns that there is every prospect of having an increase of some $70,000 odd on the estimate that was made, and I see no reason why an increase, perhaps not so large, but a very substantial increase, should not be received both in 1887 and 1888, and I think there need be no fear as to our not being able to carry out the works which are laid down here. It is very satisfactory to note that considerable progress has been made with the new water works at Tytam, and further that, should a drought happen in the course of next summer, there are means of supplying the town with a fair supply of water by the conduit. I think we can point to several public works that are proceeding satisfactorily. We can congratulate ourselves that we have a new respectable wharf with the old respected name of Pedder attached to it. The old wharf was certainly not a great credit to the name it bore, but I think the new wharf is a very respectable one. The Sanitarium at Stonecutter's Island is also completed. I congratulate my friend on the right (the Surveyor-General) that he has not held out any delusive hope to us. It has been finished within the time he said. With the Sanitary Board there has been a great deal of correspondence going on about it. I look upon it myself in the light that the Board are only really commencing their work, only beginning to feel their way, and beginning to know what should or what should not be done; and therefore I think that any severe criticism on them might be avoided. I have no doubt that, with the addition of the four gentlemen who have been added to the Board since we last met, everything will be done that can be done, and that they only want to be invested with more power than they have at present and we will see a better state of things. With regard to what has been done towards getting a light at the southern entrance to this harbour, I think that H. E. the Administrator can claim credit to himself for being the first who has really gone into the work and endeavoured to bring it to a practical issue. I believe nothing could be more practicable than having a light at the southern approach to the Harbour. Why it was not commenced years ago it is difficult to say. I think that at any time Sir Robert Hart might have been approached. In fact I know he could have been approached on the subject. But I suppose it will go on now. I think it will now no longer be allowed to pass, and something will be done. I have only to join in the words of the Address that we view with regret the departure of His Excellency the Administrator from among us, and when he goes I think he will have the hearty good wishes of the community. (Applause)
Hon J. BELL-IRVING-I beg to rise to second the Reply of the Council to His Excellency's Address. My hon. friend the senior unofficial member has touched so fully upon the several points in the Address that it is only left for me to say that His Excellency's Address is so clear and to the point that it cannot but be appreciated by all those who take an interest in the affairs of this colony. I beg, therefore to second the Reply to the Address.
Hon. A. P. MACEWEN-Sir, I wish to remark with reference to the reply to the Address, which was considered at a private meeting held two or three days ago, which consisted of official and unofficial members of Council, that I declined to take any part in the proceedings for this reason I wished to leave myself free either to criticise that Address, or to take whatever action I might choose to take with reference thereto. I did so also because I think that in a Crown Colony like this a formal reply to the Address in the construction of which the unofficial members are also called upon to take part, is introducing as it were the thin end of the wedge to muzzle them in the proceedings of the Council. I therefore consider that I should be well within my rights if I asked for an adjournment of this Council; but I do not know what my hon. friend opposite (Hon. Wong Shing) may think of this, because neither he nor I have known anything of this Address till we came to the Council this evening. I do not think, however, after reading the Address and listening to the Reply thereto that there is anything of marked importance in it. I think, therefore, that it is not necessary for me to press for this adjournment, but if my hon. friend would like time to consider the Address and consult his countrymen in this colony with reference to certain points in it, and if he likes to propose a resolution to that effect, I shall have much pleasure in seconding it; and I have very little doubt the Council would grant that adjournment. It is evident from my hon. friend's silence that he agrees with me that the subjects contained in the Address are not of sufficient importance to ask for an adjournment, but I wish to make a few remarks with reference to them. As to the statement included therein with reference to the finances of the colony, I think it is eminently disappointing. It is evident if we are to make the revenue meet the expenses of the current year, there will be but very little of that progress made in the future which we have so ardently hoped for. At a previous meeting of this Council I ventured to suggest that...
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