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the railway loan will practically become identical with the money borrowed for the Wuchang loan. The pension list, as on page 96, involves an increase of about $19,000. The Appendix gives full reasons for all minor alterations not sufficiently ex- plained in the foot-notes.
Conclusion
I have, I fear, drawn a long draft on your patience and attention. In only remains for me to add that the estimated revenue of $7,677,488, is by far the highest figure ever reached in the history of the Colony, and actually more than double what it was a dozen years ago, while our reserves at the end of the year are estimated at over $1,452,379, which has only once (in 1893) been slightly exceeded. To secure these re- sults we have not been driven to the imposition of any taxation, nor, on the other hand, have we adopted any doubtful retrenchments. On the contrary, we have been able to adjust more equitably the salaries of a large portion of the Civil Service, to somewhat increase our Police Force, and, generally speaking, to meet all demands for normal expansion and progress, white vigorously scrutinising such details of expenditure as appeared to admit of ecou- omy by improved methods of control.
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trust that the coming year may be one of re- vival of trade and commercial prosperity, which will find its reflection in the Colony's budget receipts. (Applause.)
The motion was agreed to.
the secondary object of that Ordinance, which was to take away from Foreign Offon- ders, brought in custody into the Colony, the right of showing cause to the Magistrate why they should not be committed to gaol there to await the order of the Governor under Ordinance No. 1 of 1872.
Railway Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "Ay Ordinance to amend the Railways Ordinance, 1909, "
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the Bill was read a firs time.
The objects and reasons stated that this Bill renders it possible for General Rules to be made with regard to granting free passes, and also puts restrictions on the carriage of dangerous goods.
Merchant Shipping Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, “An Ordinance to amend the Merchant Shipping Amendment Ordinance, 1899, and certain Ordinances amending the same."
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THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the Bill was read a first time
The objects and reasons state that Clause 2 of the Bill relieves steam trawlers and other mechanically propelled fishing vessels THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- Principal Ordinance with regard to the from some of the requirements of the
od, and the Bill was read a first time.
Foreign Offenders (No. 2) Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL- moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Foreign Offenders Detent.on Amendment Ordinance, 1911."
certificates of competency of their officers. Clause 3, on the analogy of section 9 of Odinance No. 10 of 1887, which deals with vehicles on land, provides a fitting punish- ment (450 fine or two months' imprisonment who hire boats and refuse to pay for them. with or without hard labour) for persons Clau-e4 requires all junks within the waters of the Colony to be licensed. Formerly licensing was not compulsory and could (15) and (16) of section 59 of the Principal Ordinance, which is repeated by the Bill. Formerly also section 39 of the Principal Ordinance dealt with junks and section 40 with boats, lighters, hulks, etc. The new section 39 contains all that it is desirable to-
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second-only be effected under sub-sections (14), ed, and the Bill was read a first time.
According to the objects and reasons attached to the Bill, His Majesty's Secretary of State hus approved the principle of the main object of Ordinance No. 25, 1911, but does not sanction the principle underlying
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retain of both sectious. The terms "vessel,' "ship" and "junk" are defined in section 2 of the Principal Ordinance. In the new Table T the fees for fishing licences remain as before, but the fees for trading licences are increased because the special permit is done away with except under exceptional Licences in future are to be circumstances. supplied in book form, and so form a permanent history of the vessels in respect which they are issued. In the new Table there is but little change. In accordance with the terins of the new section 39 of the Ordinance, Revenue Officers are given powers similar to those possessed already by Police and Harbour Department Officers and persous on board vessels stopped and searched are required to give information as to the ownership of the vessel.
Defence Contribution Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Defence Contribu- tion Ordinance, 1911. "
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.
This Bill, which adds two provisoes to section 8 of the Principal Ordinance (Ordinance No. 1 of 1901), is introduced at the suggestion of His Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies. It has, moreover, been agreed to by the Lord Commissioners of the Treasury and the Army Council. Section 3 of the Principal Ordinance reads as follows:---" From the 1st day of January, 1901, a sum equivalent to twenty per centum of the Colonial Revenues shall be appropriat ed yearly to the Imperial Government as a contribution for the defence of the Colony. Such sum shall be in lieu of that mentioned in the Defence Contribution Ordinance. 1896."
Liquors Amendment Ordinance THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Liquors Consolida
tion Ordinance, 1911. "
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY secoud- ed, and the Bill was read a first time.
The objects and reasons state that the amendments (a) and (e) introduced into the
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Principal Ordinance by clause 2 of this Bill are due to the decision that Part I. of the Principal Ordinance shall not be made to apply to any part of the New Territories other than New Kowloon. The Liquor Licences Ordinances 1898 and 1909 repealed by the Principal Ordinance did not apply to the New Territories (see Ordinance No. 34 of 1910, section 4), and it has been found inconvenient to apply the provisions of Part I. of the Principal Ordinance thereto. The amendments (6) and (c) of the said clause are introduced because it has been does not found that the word "woman legally cover girls, although it was clearly the intention of the framers of the Principal Ordinance and of the Legislative Council which passed it to include girls. The amendment (d) corrects
mistake It reintro- in the Principal Ordinance. duces the provisions of section 32 (1) of Ordinance No. 8 of 1898 which were accidentally omitted in the consolidation. The amendments to (r) inclusive are dno to the introduction of a more simple set of forins. The amendment (s) is in- tended to make it clear that the provisions of section 6 of the Principal Ordinance are not meant to apply to those who import solely for export, and (t) makes the mean- ing of section 6 (3) of the Principal Ordin- ance more clear. Clause 4 of the Bill is due to a suggestion by the Editor now engaged on revising the Ordinances to the effect that the terin "King's" warehouses is not quite an accurate description of the General Bonded Warehouses which are used.
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The Societies Ordinance THE REGISTRAR-GENERAL-I rise, Sir, to move the first reading of a Bill en- titled, "An Ordinance to provide for a more affectual control over Societies and Clubs." The last Ordinance passed by this Conucil for the regulation of Clubs and Societies was in 1887. During the last 24 years cir- cumstances have changed much, and parti- cularly since 1895, when, in consequence of the riots of 1894, a committee recommended the registration of clubs and societies. Especially during the last three or four years there have been developments on various lines which have made legislation urgently necessary, and I am glad to say that the wealthy and law-abiding classes of the Chinese recognise that this legislation is called for, and accept with equanimity any
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