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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
ed to it which will include the clubs and societies we propose to exempt to begin with, and members will find that practically every club and society in which they take a per- sonal interest will appear on that schedule. The Governor-in-Council can only refuse permission to register for certain specified rensons given in sub-section 4, and he has power to dissolve a society where gaming is carried on under section 16, sub-section 1, It is not our intention to interfere with the ordinary Chinese clubs. We only prupos to suppress those clubs which are carried on to swiulle young men, or where richer people adoit shroffs and clerks in charge of money to play, knowing that they cannot afford to do so. This is all I have to say us regards the Bill at present, and I move that
restrictions and inconveniences imposed on them by the Bill. The objects and reasons mention working men's clubs as one of the classes of society we wish to control. It is these clubs which organise faction fights and lend out fighting men in cases where the Trades Unions wish to exercise coercion or intimidation. It is noticeable that with the increase of crime last year there was a very large increase in the number of these clubs. As regards societies, the principal develop. meut has been in the way of what are called district societies, societies of which the members belong to the same districts in China. These, of course, vary very much. Some are purely philanthropic. Some are man- aged by professional men and business people well-known to me, but sometimes their enthusiasm outruns their discretion, it be read a first time. and they do not seem to realise what may be the consequences of their actions at a The object of the Bill is to provide means particular moment. Always, so far, they of controlling the numerous clubs and have accepted my advice and acted upon it, societies which have come into existence in but the time may come when the Registrar Hongkong during the last few years. Some General may require to have the backing of of these societies have been used in the past the law in addition to his own personal for the purpose of bringing illegal pressure authority. In addition to these clubs there to bear on persons other than members, and are clubs run by people of dubious anteced- it is feared that in the present state of affairs ents who promote them for their own per- such occurrences may be repeated and dis- sonal uses and to make money out of them. orders fomented, and it is desired to give the Such labs require to be registered. Then Government opportunities of obtaining ful! there is a third class of club, which is dan-particulars about these societies and of sup- gerous to peace and good order. Sometimes pressing them where arcessary. It is hoped It is Frequented by young men having re- also that the Ordinance will be useful in volutionary tendencies, or closely connected giving the Registrar a stronger position if with the revolutionaries. It is necessary for guidance or advice appear to be called for. us to keep a close eye on these clubs, and if The Ordinance will also enable control to necessary to suppress them. There are be exercised more effectively over working various other ways in which the Ordinance men's clubs such as those which were may be made use of in suppressing clubs responsible for the riots in 1894. The Trial promoted by swindlers to get money out of and Unlawful Societies Ordinance, 1887, is rich young men and in other ways. The repealed, as all its effective provisions are Bill itself differs from the 1887 Bil. The included in the present Bill The Bill is 1887 Ordinance is for the suppression of framed on the same lines as the Ordinance unlawful societies, whi e this Ordinance is in force in the traits Settlement. It is for the effectual control of societies and necessary to include all clubs and societies, clubs; thus every society, whatever its object but in practice a very large number will be may be, is included in the Bill, and it is left permanently exempted from registration. to the Governor-in-Council to decide what action is to be taken in respect of any in- dividual society. The Governor-in-Council bas power to put them in one of three classes. He may exempt them altogether, call upon them to be registered, or he may re- fuse to register them, and they then become unlawful. When the Bill is read a second time I hope there will be a schedule attach-
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Law Revision Ordinance
TRE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a bill entitled, “Au Ordinance for further promoting the Re- vision of the Law by repealing certain parts of enactments which have ceased to be in force or have become unnecessary.
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY Second ed, and the Bill was read a first time.
Law Amendment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "Au Ordinance for further promoting the Re- vision of the Law by amending certain errors contained in, as well as the language used in, the Ordinances now in force."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second ed, and the Bill was read a first time.
General Revision Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved. the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance for promoting the General Be- vision of the Law by repealing certain en- actments which have ceased to be in force or have become unnecessary, by amending certain other enactments which stand in urgent need thereof, and by incorporating certain amending Ordinances in their re spective Principal Ordinances."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the Bill was read a first time.
Union Church Incorporation
Ordinance
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apply for incorporation, as it is extremely difficult, owing to the constant changes in the trustees, to deal with the property be- longing to the Church, and inasmuch as the Church was originally started by the London Missionary Society, clause 18 has been inserted in the Bill providing that in the event of the discontinuance of public worship for two years, the buildings, all monies, goods and chattels pertaining to the Church shall be held in trust for the London Missionary Society. With these remarks I beg to move the first reading of this Bill.
Mr. EDE seconded, and the Bill was read a first time,
Arms and Ammunition Amend-
ment Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that. Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Arms and Ammunition Ordinance, 1900.”
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the motion was agreed to.
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that two additional sections, numbered 3 and 4, be added to the Bill. These sections made removal permits necessary in the case of licensed persons.
The amendment was agreed to.
The Bill was left in Committee and Council resumed.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Council will ad-
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
HON. MR. POLLOCK moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance for the Incorporation of the Trustees of the Union Church at Victoria in this Colony In doing so he said-This Bill follows gen- erally upon the provisions of the Loudou Missionary Society Ordinance of 1891, and journ till this day fortnight. the Ordinances relating to St. John's Cath edral. The Union Church was first built by the late Dr. Legge, of the London Mis- sionary Society, in Hollywood Road in 1845, and it was afterwards removed in 1863, to Staunton Street, and again in 1889 it was removed to its present site on the Kennedy Road. In 1886 the then premises were assigned by Dr. Legge to trustees as a place for public worship and the preaching of the Gospel. The Church premises bava since been vested in trustees, and the affairs of the Church have been looked after by a committee of management elected by the seatholders. It has now been decided by the seatholders-being subscribers to
A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding. The following votes were passed:---
POST OFFICE.
The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Three thousand three hundred and twenty-five Dollars ($3,325) in aid of the vote Post Office, A.-Hong- kong Post Office, Other Charges for the following items :~~~
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