perience they will become equal to those lower schools would be much more effici who have gone. It is a very difficultent than it is. That is a subject which matter to know how to compel those who my private secretary, Mr. Ponsonby get very good offers to remain in the Fane, who is giving his services at service of the Government, and if the Queen's College, has brought to my notice hon. member can make any suggestions more than once. Perhaps when better the Government will be very pleased. As days come after the war we will be able to the question of lunatics being no to launch out a little further into an longer sent to the John J. Kerr institu- English staff. The hon, member who re- tion as in former years, that was only a presents the Justices of the Peace sug- temporary arrangement made in 1912 gested that money might be spent on im- when the conditions under which they proving the Pokfulum and Victoria were received by the Chinese Govern roads. I drive in a motor-car a great ment were very uncertain and the poli- deal, and I do not think those roads are tical position of the country had not really dangerous at present. Our object settled down, and it was never meant to is first of all to get the roads through be a permanent arrangement. Now it is and then titivate them. I think that he found the services of the institution can
will agree that it is wiser to spend all be done without it is not proposed to the money we can in opening up roads make use of it any longer. As regards from point to point and then to improve the lunatic asylum referred to, there is them. It is suggested that seats should no lunatic asylum in Hongkong. There be provided in the playground at Kow- is a lunatics' ward where a few people of loon. That will be done. We have some the Chinese race can be found and some
there already. Do I understand the hon. of the European race. But it is always member to mean that he would like the policy of the Government, if possible, a permanent building in the playground? to send any European lunatics out of Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Yes, Sir, near the the Colony at as early a date as possible. Hunghom station. As regards quarters, the Director of Pub- lic Works has explained to the hon. mem- ber that the free quarters provided for in the estimates are practically completed. The Director of Public Works had dealt with that part of the scheme. The number of officers for whom it is proposed to build quarters for which rent wil be charg dis at present very small, probably six or eight, and it may be possible before long to complete that very necessary part of the scheme. As regards the ferry ser- vices, the hon. member is aware what the proposals of the Government are. The subject is one of great interest to large bodies of persons who have been running ferries for some time.
The Government is about to resume cor- tain piers, and the exact form in which future ferry services will be conducted will have to be settled. It will be done at as early a date as possible, but I can- not at the present give any indication of the method.
be
he
HIS EXCELLENCY-I think that might within our compass next year. It has also been reinarked that the poor Chinese are in the habit of raking about all the dust and dust- bins. That point will be brought to the notice of the Head of the Sanitary De- Although not strictly con- partment. nected with the estimates, I as one per- sonally interested in the Y.M.C.A., was glad to hear the hon. member say would be prepared to support a recom mendation to the Secretary of State for the granting of a site on easy terms in a central situation. The hon. membe who was nominated by the Chamber of Commerce told me some time ago that he would like to put on paper his views on the subject, and I should be very glad to receive them as soon as he has had time to prepare them, and to give the sug- gestion what support I can. In connec- tion with the War Loan, it was supported that we should invest our sinking fund in six per cent. exchequer bonds. I do not know if that appeals to the financial mid of the Colonial Treasurer, but we will consider the point. There is just one more thing I would like to add. The hon. member who
represents the
Justices of the Peace foreshad wod resolution in this Council connected with the Civil Hospital. Well, now, I would inform both him and other nofficial members, before they embark 1 such a resolution, that it would be we te
for them to enquire as to the conditions down at the hospital, not only from the staff but from outsiders who are working in the establishment. There are t 70,
Dr. Aubrey and Professor Digby, who have no connection with the Governin ont what- soever. There are
also ladie. in the Colony who have had a wide experience of hospital administration and nursing in other Colonies. These ladies throw light on metho is adopted in other places, and that is useful. I think that hon. if they follow gain a good deal
my suggestion,
of infogres beg to thank. hon. me nbers sympathetic way in which they have de with the estimates, and the facilities ey have given for passing them smoothly and quickly.
can
HIS EXCELLENCY--I am obliged to bun. members for bringing to my notice the unsatisfactory manner in which search- ings on the wharves are carried out. That is a matter on which formerly, in connection with opium, we had a little trouble and which received our earnest attention. Of course, the removing of the Permit Oifice and the Pass Otice to the only available Government building which the Government has in the neigh- bourhood of the centre of the town is a matter of expense. If we take a room there we lose the rent of it. I am not quite sure whether the Permit Office can conveniently be dissociated from the superintendence of Mr. Hutchison, but I will enquire into the matter, and if any- thing can be done I will do it. I would not have thought that the Central Police station, where the rermit Office is situat- ed, was so far out of the way as to make it irksome, though I know the people of Hongkong like to have everything brought to their very doors, and we will try and assist them there if we possibly can. It has been suggested that a train- ed cadet might be available in conduct ing translations in the Supreme Court. That has been done in the past, and some- thing might be done on the same Kines in the future. My sympathies are with hon. members, and especially with the Chinese members, in their criticism of the teaching of English to Chinese boys. I think the hon. member who represents the Chinese touched on the spot pretty well, and hit the right nail on the head,
The when he said we tried to teach too many
ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved second reading of a Bill intituled, subjects. We have tried to curtail the
"An subjects as much as possible, but you tion with the present war with respect to Ordinance to make provision in connec- know what schoolmasters are. They hold Bills of Exchange payable outside the strongly to their ideas, but we will see Colony." In doing so he said-The ob- what can be done. I think the real ject of this Bill is to introduce here the trouble is the paucity of English masters, provisions of the Bills of Exchange Act, and that again is regulated by expense. 1914. The Bill contains two sub-sections. What we really want is more English One provides that delay in the present! masters, and the teaching then of the ing for payment of bills payable outside
for
The Bill was then considered by the Finance Committee and passed through' the Committee stage without amendment.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY then proposed that the Bill be read a third time.
The COLONIAL TREASURER & conded, and the Bill was then read a third time and passed.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE.
the
ony shall be excused if the delay caused by circumstances arising out of the war. The other section provides that if a Bill has been lost, and the loss is attributable to the war, the Court may allow proof of the Bill to be given by means of a copy if the Court thinks there
is sufficient reason.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
The Bill passed through Committee without amendment, and on Council re- suming,
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved that it be read a third time.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was then read a third time and passed.
This was all the business, and the Council was adjourned sine die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
At a meeting of the Finance Committee, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
KOWLOON-CANTON RAILWAY.
The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) in aid of the vote Kowloon- Canton Railway, B.-Expenses of Con- struction, III.-Formation, (a) Earth- work.
The vote was agreed to.
PUBLIC WORKS.
"The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of three thousand five ollars ($3,500) in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Mis-
cellaneous, Miscellaneous Works.
The vote was agreed to.
MISCELLANEOUS,
The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of eight hundred and twenty-five dollars ($825) in aid of the vbte Miscellaneous Services, Other Mis- efilaneous Services.
The vote was agreed to.
AN TAU CREEK BRIDGE. The Governor recommends the Council vote a sum of nine hundred and fifty dollars (4050) in aid of the vote Public Werks, Extraordinary, New Territories, Communications, Roads, Castle Peak to Shataukok--Bridge over Au Tau Creek.
The vote was agreed to.
COMPENSATION AND RESUMPTIONS.
he Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Kowloon, Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, Compen- sation and Resumptions.
The vote was agreed to.
:
WHY MR. POLLOCK'S QUESTION WAS DELETED.
The following is a copy of the com- munication which was forwarded to the Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, K.C., by the rk of the Council, informing him that second question, regarding unofficial presentation on the Legislative Council, been deleted from the "Orders of Day"
SIR,I am directed to state that His cellency is unable to accept the econd of the two questions which, at last meeting of the Legislative ouncil, you announced your inten- in of putting at the forthcoming
eting.
Re
-The question touches the Royal Instructions. You are not entitled to ask for an expression of opinion on a matter of policy, and no question can be put which brings the name of the Sovereign, or the influence of the Crown, directly before the Council,
3. His Excellency has accordingly directed the deletion of the question from the "Order of the Day." The question referred follows:-
to
was as
2.-"Will the Government also state for what reasons two out of the four non-Chinese Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council are Government nominees instead of being elected as Members?"
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