57

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

the part in the new house corresponding to the portion he had occupied.

Hos. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL considered that the amendment was not worth press. ing. and it was dropped.

HON. MR. POLLOCK moved the second amendment of which he had given notice,

Viz.

By inserting at the end of clause 9 of the following:-

29.-Every lessor who demands or receives more than the standard rent for any domestic tenement shall unless he proves-to the satisfaction of the Magistrate, that he acted bona fide, be liable upon summary conviction to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR suggested that it would be difficult to apply the amendment to the case of a man who wanted sleeping space for a week and who would not know anything about the standard rent.

Hos. Mr. POLLOCK It might be difficult with regard to a bed space but there are other parts of the house in re- gard to which it would not be difficult.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR But if it does apply to the small space it is difficult to get it to work, and it may give opportu- nities for blackmail.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY- -Does not Section 17 cover it! Surely that Section is sufficient?

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL thought the amendment could not do much harm.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR-We will leave the matter to the opinion of the Council, and I take care on this occasion to ex- Press no opinion myself.

On the amendment being put to the vote His EXCELLENCY said I think the No's have it."

Hox. Ma. "POLLOCK asked for division.

The voting was as follows:-

@

For-Hon. Mr. A. O. Lang, Hon. Mr. A. G. Stephen, Hon. Mr. P. H. Holyoak, Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock, Hon. Mr. R. H. Kotewall, the Director of Public Works, the Attorney- General, the Officer Commanding the Troops.

Against--The Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer, the Director of Edu- cation. the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.

The amendment was therefore carried by nine votes to four.

GENERAL it was agreed to substitute for On the motion of the ATTORNEY-

Clause 10 of the Bill the following:

Section 10 of the principal Ordinance is amended by the substitution of the figures 1924 for the figurés 1923 in the second line thereof,

The Bill then passed through Committee without further amendment and the Council then resumed.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved and the COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded the third reading of the Bill. This was carried and the Bill passed accordingly.

The Council adjourned sine die.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

A meeting of the Finance Committee Hox. Mr. POLLOCK-The amendment istary presiding.

was afterwards held. the Colonial Secre-

taken from it precedent -- the Straits Ordinance.

The Kowloon Tong Cemetery Project

sorry to

H.E. THE GOVERNOK –Do you know whether their conditions are similar?

HON. MR. POLLOCK-I am I have not the slightest objection to the ask for this to stand over a little longer amendment, but it seems to me its praction with Mr. Soares, and I am expecting if possible. I have been in communica- ticability is doubtful, and it does seem to offer opportunities for blackmail if a further communication.

it

certain people like to take advantage of Can you see any way of amending the clause which is less open to objection?

HON. MR. POLLOCK – There certainly should be such a clause.

this vote

THE CHAIRMAN---I may mention that Committee when you were away last year was agreed by the Finance

andt enders came in on June 5th. However,

I have no objection to postponement. exoept that it is rather awkward for the

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

-

tenders. This new cemetery is at Kow- loon in a central ring of hills.

Hox MR. LANG Objection was taken to the design suggested.

Farther discussion was postponed.

The Empire Exhibition

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $250,000 on account of Miscellaneous Services, contribution to- wards expenses of Hongkong Section of British Empire Exhibition expected to be incurred in 1923.

THE CHAIRMAN-I read to you at the last meeting a letter from the Chamber of Commerce. You must realise that in voting this money you are binding your- selves to a total expenditure of $650,000

-that is the maximum.

This does not of the Exhibition

HON. MR. HOLYOAK -

cost represent the Buildings ?

THE CHAIRMAN-This is a preliminary vote. We do not know what money will be required, nor how soon.

The vote was approved.

Government Cables and

Telephones

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $16,200 in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent. Hongkong, Communications, (8) Maintenance of Tele- phone including all cables.

58

Government Nursery at Kowloon

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum $4,000 in aid of the vote Botanical and Forestry Department, Other Charges, Forestry, New Territories.

THE CHAIRMAN- The Kowloon Tong scheme and its extension Northwards has necessitated the removal of the Govern- ment Nursery and this money is required for labour in laying out the new Nursery and getting a water supply from a dis- tant stream

Approved.

Railway Votes

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $12,800 in aid of the vote Kowloon-Canton Railway, Special Expenditure. Bridge No. 7.

THE CHAIRMAN-This is for a bridge to Kowloon City. The contract estimate over the new main road from Sham Sui Po was 361.000, but considerable excavations had to be made and there was a large unexpected amount of rock.

Approved.

The Governor recommended the Council. to vote a sum of $1,550 in aid of the vote Kwoloon-Canton Railway, Special Expediture, Locomotive, Carriage and Wagon Expenges: Additional Machines for Workshops.

THE CHAIRMAN This refers to the Cape D'Aguilar and Waglan cable which had to be renewed very recently, Parting and other machines.

THE CHAIRMAN-This is for wood plan- of the sum is also for a new cable from of wagons and carriages are being built A large number Capsuimun to Lantao island in substitu- and this is urgently needed. tion for a defective cable.

Approved.

Approved.

358

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