Enclosure. 4.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, JANUARY 5TH, 1884.
MEETING OF THE JUSTICES TO ELECT A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
A meeting of the Justices of the Peace was held at the City Hall yesterday afternoon to nominate a member of the Legislative Council in accordance with the instructions of His Excellency the Governor, which have already been published. Mr. H. E. Wodehouse, senior Police Magistrate, presided, and there were present :- Voters-Dr. R. Young, Messrs. E. Mackean, H. L. Dalrymple, E. Mackintosh, H. J. H. Tripp, N. J. Ede, W. H. F. Darby, W. Danby, J. R. Anton, J. Y. V. Vernon, J. G. T. Hassel, A. Molver, J. Thorburn, M. E. Bassoon, G. E. Noble, B. Layton, F. D. Sassoon, Hon. P. Ryrie, Framjee H. Arjánee, H. Foss, N. Q. Bird, J. Melville Matson, Dr. J. Stockwell, R. Lyall, J. Bell Irving, W. N. Bain, W. S. Young, H. N. Mody, J. H. Cox, T. Jackson, C. P. Chater, T. H. Whitehead, C. D. Bottomley, H. C. Setua, J. S. Cox, A. P. MacEwen, H. M. Mehta, D. Ruttuajes, J. J. Francis, Dr. W. Hartigas, Hon. F. B. Johnson, F. T. P. Foster, Wong Shing, C. Chen Bee, Wei Ayuk, Lok San Theen, Chan Quan Ee, Wong See Tye, J. B. Coughtrie, H. Diekie, W. K. Hughes, E. R. Belilios, and Ho Kai; Non-voters (officials): Capt. H. G. Thomsett, Messrs. J. P. McEnen, J. S. Brewer, and A. G. Wise. The Chairman also abstained from voting as an official.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, I will call upon the clerk to read the notice convening the meeting.
Mr. J. PARKER, clerk to the Justices, read the notice, and also the instructions received from the Governor.
The names of the Justices were then called over, those who were present answering.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, I will now ask any of you who have candidates to propose to do so in writing, with the seconder's name added, and hand the papers in to me. In order that the proceedings may be perfectly fair and above board I propose that all the names be handed to me before any remarks are made with regard to the candidates proposed, and I will put them into a hat and take them out one by one indiscriminately and then ask the proposers and seconders to make any remarks on the candidates they may wish.
Mr. FRANCIS-As a matter of procedure, Sir, may I venture to suggest to the meeting that, as we cannot all look on while the ballot boxes are being examined, the gentlemen proposing the candidates with the Chairman of the meeting should form a committee of scrutiny to examine the contents of the ballot boxes and notify the result.
The CHAIRMAN-Will you allow that to stand over for the present until the next step has been taken?
Mr. FRANCIS-As you please, Sir.
The CHAIRMAN-If there is no objection to the course I propose, that will be the next step taken.
Three papers were then handed in, and the first read out was the name of Mr. A. P. MacEwen, proposed by the Hon. F. B. Johnson and seconded by Mr. A. McIver.
The CHAIRMAN-I now call upon the gentlemen proposing and seconding to offer any remarks they may wish.
Hon. F. B. JOHNSON-Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I have very great pleasure indeed in proposing the name of Mr. Alexander Palmer MacEwen as a very fit and proper person to represent not only this body but the community generally in the Legislative Council of this colony. (Applause).
Mr. McIVER-I have very great pleasure in seconding the hon. gentleman's proposition.
The CHAIRMAN then drew the next paper, containing the name of Mr. E. R. Belilios, proposed by Mr. Ho Kai and seconded by Mr. H. M. Mehta.
Mr. Ho KAI-Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I rise with the greatest pleasure to propose Mr. E. R. Belilios for your nomination as your representative on the Legislative Council. Mr. Belilios is well known to every one of you, since he has been here for a period of over twenty-two years, and he needs no introduction from me. I am sure you all have met him in various public capacities, either as a director, or as a temporary member of the Legislative Council, or as one of the oldest Justices of the Peace, and you have seen him filling all the positions in which he has been placed with a degree of credit and ability which must have won your respect. I need scarcely say anything in his favour except to beg your earnest attention to the fact that notwithstanding many things have been said in favour of brilliant talents and eloquent speech, we must have as our representative member something more than that; we must have a man of long experience, yes, long local experience, and of independent position, one who is not likely to be influenced by any personal considerations, and one who will always strive to do everything in his power to protect the public interests. I have very much pleasure therefore in proposing Mr. E. R. Belilios.
Mr. MEHTA-I have very great pleasure in seconding the proposition which has been moved by Dr. Ho Kai.
The next paper drawn bore the name of Mr. F. D. Sassoon, proposed by Mr. C. P. Chater and seconded by Mr. W. K. Hughes.
Mr. CHATER-I have very great pleasure in proposing that Mr. Frederick David Sassoon be nominated by this body to a seat in the Legislative Council. Gentlemen, you are all well acquainted with Mr. Sassoon, and it does not require much from me to put forward his claims. He is the senior partner here in the firm of Messrs. David Sassoon, Sons, and Co., a firm established here ever since the colony was founded. His brothers, the previous partners of his firm, have always been very closely identified with this colony, and have even at the present moment a very large interest in the place. So also has the candidate I bring forward, and I trust he will have a much larger interest in the place before he leaves it.
Mr. HUGHES-I beg to second Mr. Chater's proposition.
The CHAIRMAN-Any gentleman wishing to make any remarks on the several candidates is at liberty to do so.
No remarks being offered, the CHAIRMAN explained the course to be observed in voting. Three ballot boxes were placed on a table behind a screen in the corner of the room, each bearing the name of one of the candidates in English and Chinese. Each Justice voting was requested to sign his name before going behind the screen, and on doing so received a voting bean to be deposited in the ballot box bearing the name of the candidate for whom he wished to vote.
Before the voting took place Mr. FRANCIS said-I propose on behalf of the meeting that the gentlemen who propose the candidates act as scrutineers, as we cannot all very well crowd round to look on.
The CHAIRMAN-I will still ask that that be postponed till the ballot is closed.
Mr. FRANCIS-I beg to propose it now, as the proper time.
The CHAIRMAN-Very well. Are the gentlemen present willing for that?
Mr. MACKEAN-I beg to second it.
Mr. DANBY-Before that is put to the meeting may I ask if you have any alternative system to propose?
The CHAIRMAN-As stated in the letter of instructions, I will be guided by the wishes of the Justices. The only point is that I wish we should conduct these proceedings step by step. The motion of Mr. Francis, a very proper one in its way, would come in more fittingly after the voting has been concluded and before the scrutiny commences. What I should have suggested would have been that the gentlemen put their votes in the ballot boxes and put their names on the paper, and when that was done, and before anything further was done with the ballot boxes, that the form of scrutiny be decided upon.
Mr. FRANCIS-As you were arranging the method of proceeding I thought you might have it settled at once.
The CHAIRMAN-It is all settled as far as I am concerned.
Page 22
Mr. Francis
Enclosure. 4.
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, JANUARY 5TH, 1884.
MEETING OF THE JUSTICES TO ELECT A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
A meeting of the Justices of the Peace was held at the City Hall yesterday afternoon to nominate a member of the Legislative Council in accordance with the instructions of His Ex- cellency the Governor, which have already been published. Mr. H. E. Wodehouse, senior Police Magistrate, presided, and there were present :- Voters-Dr. R. Young, Messrs. E. Mackean, H. L. Dalrymple, E. Mackintosh, H. J. H. Tripp, N. J. Ede, W. H. F. Darby, W. Danby, J. R. Anton, J. Y. V. Vernon, J. G. T. Hassel, A Molver, J. Thorburn, M. E. Bassoon, G. E. Noble, B. Layton, F. D. Sassoon, Hon, P. Ryrie, Framjee H. Arjánee, H. Foss, ន. Q. Bird, J. Melville Matson, Dr. J. Stockwell, R. Lyall, J. Bell Irving, W. N. Bain, W. S. Young, H. N. Mody. J. H. Cox, T. Jackson, C. P. Chater, T. H. Whitehead. C. D. Bottomley, H. C. Setua, J. S. Cox, A. P. MacEwen, H. M. Mehta, D. Ruttuajes, J. J. Francis, Dr. W. Hartigas, Hon. F. B. Johnson, F. T. P. Foster, Wong Shing, C. Chen Bee, Wei Ayuk, Lok San Theen, Chan Quan Ee, Wong See Tye, J. B. Coughtrie, H. Diekie, W. K. Hughes, E. R. Belilios, and Ho Kai; Non-voters (officials): Capt. H. G. Thomsett, Messra. J. P. McEnen, J. S. Brewer, and A. G. Wise. The Chairman also abstained from voting as an official.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, I will call upon the clerk to read the notice conrening the meeting.
Mr. J. PARKER, clerk to the Justices, read the notice, and also the iustruotions received from the Governor.
The names of the Justices were then called over, those who were present answering.
The CHAIRMAN-Gentlemen, I will now ask any of you who have candidates to propose to do so in writing, with the seconder's name added, and hand the papers in to me. In order that the proceedings may be perfectly fair and abore board I propose that all the names be handed to me before any remarks are made with regard to the candidates proposed, and I will put thom into a hat and take them out one by one indis- Griminately and then ask the proposers and seconders, to make any rem rks on the can- didates they may wish.
Mr. FRANCIS-As a matter of procedure, Sir, may I venture to suggest to the meeting that, as we cannot all look on while the ballot boxes are being examined, the gentlemen propos. ing the candidates with the Chairman of the meeting should form a committee of scrutiny to examine the contents of the ballot boxes and notify the result.
The CHAIRMAN-Will you allow that to stand over for the present until the next step has been taken ?
Mr. FRANCIS-As you please, Sir.
The CHAIRMAN -If there is ng objection to the course I propose, that will be the next step taken.
Three papers were then handed in, and the first read out was the name of Mr. A. P. Mac- Ewen, proposed by the Hon. F. B. Johnson and seconded by Mr. A. McIver.
The CHAIRMAN-I now call upon the gentle. men proposing and seconding to offer any remarks they may wish.
Hon. F. B. JOHNSON-Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I have very great pleasure in.! deed in proposing the name of Mr. Alexan- der Palmer MacEwen
as a very fit and proper person to represent not only this body but the community generally in the Legislative Council of this colony. (Applause).
Mr. McIVER-I have very great pleasure in seconding the hon. gentleman's proposition,
The CHAIRMAN then drew the next paper, containing the name of Mr. E. R. Belilios, pro- posed by Mr. Ho Kai and asconded by Mr. H. M. Mehta.
Ow.
岛
Mr. Ho KAI-Mr. Chairman and gentlemen, I rise with the greatest pleasure to propose Mr. E. R. Belilios for your nomination as your re presentative on the Legislative Council, Mr. Belilios is well known to every one of you, sines he has been here for a period of over twenty- two years, and he needs no introduction from me. I am sure you all have met him in various public capacities, either as a director, or as a temporary member of the Legislative Council, or as one of the oldest Justiens of the Peace, and you have seen him filling all the posi tions in which he has been placed with degree of credit and ability which must have won your rospect. I need scarcely say anything in his favour except to beg your earnest atten- tion to the fact that notwithstanding many things have been said in favour of brilliant talents and eloquent speech, we must have as our representative member something more than that we must bare a man of long experience, { yes, long local experience, and of independent position, one who is not likely to be inflnehoed by suy personal considerations, and one who will always strive to do everything in his power to protect the public interests. I have very much pleasure therefore in proposing Mr. B. R. Belilios, Mr. MEHTA-I have very groat pleasure in seconding the proposition which has been moved by Dr, Ho Kai.
The next paper drawn bore the name of Mr. F. D. Sassoon, proposed by Mr. C. P. Chater and seconded by Mr. W. K. Hughes.
Mr. CHATER-I have very great pleasure in proposing that Mr. Frederick David Sas. soon be nominated by this body to a seat in the Legislative Council. Gentlemen, you are all well acquainted with Mr. Sassoon, and it dons not require much from me to put forward his claims. He is the senior partner here in the firm of Messrs. David Bassoon, Sons, and Co,, a firm establishel here ever since the colony was founded. His brothers, the previous partners of his firm, have always been very losely identified with this colony, and bave even at the present moment a very large interest in the place. So also has the candidate I bring forward, and I trust he will have s mach larger interest in the place before he leaves it.
Mr. Huges-I beg to second Mr. Chater's proposition.
The CHAIRMAN-Any gentleman wishing to make any remarks on the several candidates is at liberty to do so.
No remarks being offered, the CHAIRMAN ex- plained the course to be observed in voting. Three ballot boxes were placed on a table behind a soreen in the corner of the room, each bearing the name of one of the candidates in English and Chinese. Each Justice voting was requested to sign his name before going behind the screen, and on do- ing so received a voting bean to be deposited in the ballot box bearing the name of the can- didato for whom he wished to vote.
Before the voting took place Mr. FRANCIS said-I propose on behalf of the meating that the gentlemen who propose the candidates set as scrutineers, as we cannot all very well crowd round to look on.
The CHAIRMAN-I will still ask that that be postponed till the ballot is closed,
Mr. FRANCIS-I beg to propose it now, as the proper time.
The CHAIRMAN-Very wall. Are the gen. tlewoa present willing for that!
Mr. MACKEAN-I beg to second it, Mr. DANBY-Before that is put to the meet- ing may I ask if you have any alternative system to propose ?
The CHAIRMAN-As stated in the letter of instructions, I will be guided by the wishes of the Justices. The only point is that I wish we should conduct these proceedings step by step. The motion of Mr. Franois, a very proper one in its way, would come in more fittingly after the roting has been concluded and before the soru- tiny commences. What I should have suggested would have been that the gentlemen put their rotes in the ballot boxes and put their names on the paper, and when that was done, and before anything further was done with the ballot boxes, that the form of scrutiny be decided upon.
Mr. FRANCIS-As you were arranging the method of proceeding I thought you might have it settled at once.
The CHAIRMAN-It is all settled as far as I *m concerned.
22
Mr. Francis
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