PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 882
5 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
40
On section 29, which provides for the searching of luggage and persons,
•
Hon. T. H. Whitehead said: I suggest that a convenient place or house shall be provided by the opium farmer instead of the search taking place in the public streets and on wharves. Unfortunately the Government has again on this occasion not forwarded the revised edition of the Ordinance to unofficial members. It has not reached my hand
until I entered the Council Chamber, and therefore I have not had the opportunity of looking over the amendments, but I do ask that the Government will see that a proper house or place is provided wherein Chinese men and women can be searched instead of as now on public wharves and in the public streets. I do not think such a proceeding is creditable to a British Colony. I have seen it done over and over again and I regard it as an outrage on decency. It should not be permitted by the Government.
Hon. Ho Kai I beg to support the motion most strongly. The idea is gaining ground amongst all classes of Chinese that to come to this Colony is almost synonymous with coming to a place to receive insults. I think the evil would be minimised by providing some suitable place where the searching could be done in a decent manner. do hope the Government will see fit to agree to this amendment.
The Colonial Treasurer: I think there is a good deal in the suggestion that has been made. It is only right to bear in mind that although the opium farmer contributes so much to the revenue of this Colony, we wish people to come to the Colony. On the other hand, it must be remembered that many persons might object to being taken any distance to be searched. They might be in a hurry and wish it got through as rapidly as possible. I can quite imagine that the searching may be very objectionable, and I am very much in sympathy with the suggestion made, but I think after the expressions of opinion, hon. members may leave to the Goverument to take steps to prevent persons from insults or inconvenience.
His Excellency: I think it is more a matter for a regulation than an amendment of the Ordinance.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead: I must press the amendment. carried on in this way for years. Unfortunately the minions of the opium farmer cannot The searching has been speak Chinese, they are from the Straits, and they pounce upon these persons and search them most roughly. A greater outrage does not exist in any other Colony in the world. His Excellency: I think the hon. member has overlooked the fact that the clause contains a restriction. The search must be made under the supervision of a police officer not under the rank of sergeant.
Hon. P. Ryrie: The presence of a man not under the rank of sergeant does not do away with the indecency..
The Council divided on the amendment.
FOR.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead.
Hon. Ho Kai.
Hon. P. Ryrie.
AGAINST.
The Acting Surveyor-General.
The Colonial Treasurer.
The Registrar-General.
The Acting Attorney-General.
The Acting Colonial Secretary.
His Excellency.
The amendment was therefore lost, and the Bill passed through Committee.
The Acting Attorney-General moved the third reading of the Bill.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead: As the Government officials deem it inexpedient to allow this Council to limit the time for the continuance of the opium monopoly farm, I rise to move the Bill be rejected.
Hon. P. Ryrie seconded.
The Council divided on the motion.
FOR.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead.
Hoa. Họ Kai.
Hon. P. Ryrie.
The motion was therefore lost.
AGAINST.
The Acting Surveyor-General.
The Colonial Treasurer.
The Registrar-General.
The Acting Attorney-General.
The Acting Colonial Secretary.
His Excellency.
41
The Council then divided on the third reading of the Bill.
FOR.
The Acting Surveyor-General.
The Colonial Treasurer.
The Registrar-General.
The Acting Attorney-General.
The Acting Colonial Secretary.
His Excellency.
The Bill was read a third time and passed.
AGAINST. Hon. T. H. Whitehead.
Hon. Ho Kai.
Hon. P. Ryrie.
Hon. T. H. Whitehead: I rise to order. When alterations are effected in Bills, might not the unofficial members have copies of the amended Bills sent to them to look over ?
I never saw the amended Bill till I came on to the Council Chamber. I think this is scarcely courteous treatment of the unofficial members.
His Excellency: It has not been the custom, so far as I can ascertain, for amendments made in Committee to be sent.
Hon. P. Ryrie: It has been the custom. I have been in this Council 26 years, and I know better.
The Acting Colonial Secretary: It has not been the practice since I came. Hon. P. Ryrie: Probably because you altered the practice.
THE RAW OPIUM BILL.
The Raw Opium Bill was read a third time.
Enclosure 6 in No. 22.
HONG KONG OPIUM FARM.
Notice is hereby given that sealed tenders will be received at the Colonial Secretary's office, Hong Kong, till 3 o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, the 29th day of December 1891, for the purchase of the entire privileges known as the opium farm established under The Prepared Opium Ordinance, 1891, for three years from March 1st, 1892.
Conditions of Tendering.
1. No tender will be received unless the tenderer produces a receipt from the Treasurer for-
(i.) A deposit of $30,000, or of title deeds, or other approved securities to a like
amount, and
(ii.) A stamped agreement to be executed by him on a form provided by the Treasurer, to the effect that, if he should decline to accept a grant of the farm on the terms of the tender sent in by him, such deposit or securities shall be forfeited to the Crown.
Such deposit must be completed not later than noon on the 28th of December. All deposits will be returned to unsuccessful tenderers.
2. The tender must state the monthly sum offered for the farm as rent.
3. The Government does not bind itself to accept the highest or any tender.
4. The successful tenderer shall deposit with the Treasurer security, either money or title deeds, to the value of three months' rent of the farm for the due performance of the conditions on which the privilege is granted and of the stipulations or agreement in respect thereof, and the security previously deposited with the Treasurer on the tender being received will be retained until such successful tenderer shall have deposited such security.
5. The Governor in Council will execute to the accepted tenderer a grant in the form or as near thereto as may be hereinafter set out.
6. During the continuance of the privileges the successful tenderer shall be entitled to the use of a trade mark to be approved by the Governor in Council on all opium prepared by him.
Conditions to be fulfilled by the Grantee of the Opium Farm, and the breach of which will involve forfeiture of the Grant and of the security deposited with the
1892.
Treasurer.
(1.) The payment of the monthy fee regularly in advance, from the 1st day of March, (2.) To have no opium in possession except what is reported through the Imports and Exports Office; and, unless the special permission of the Governor to exceed that
U 76470.
F
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.