CO129-215 - Governor Sir Bowen - 1884 [1-4] — Page 335

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(Hon. P. RYRIE-Hear, hear.) If the block- ade chastisen us with whips the Imperia! Mari- time Customs would chastise as with scorpions. Sir, in the speech from the chair very full details are given of the public works about to be under- taken, I am quite sure the colony joins the Council in a feeling of satisfaction, not only with the liberal policy that has been pursued in this important matter by the Governor, but also with the activity which has been shown by the Surveyor-General in carrying out these works. I will not, sir, proceed to refer to the are enumerated in various measures which the speech, I can only say of them as a whole that I believe they will tend, on being carried out, very greatly to develop the resources and prosperity of the colony and the health and well-being of its inhabitants. I am glad to hear in the speech from the chair that not only are reclamations of land to take place at Causeway Bay, but they are also to be undertakes in Belcher's Bay. Bat, sir, in order to give fall effect to these reclamations I am quite sure the negotiatious which have been referred | to in the speech should be, as the Go- vernor promises they will be, energetically pushed forward so as to obtain a continuous praya the whole length of our sea frontage Sir, I am glad to see my hon. friend the Sur- veyor-General is in bis place, because I am about to make a suggestion to him which he may at first think rather crude, but I hope, nevertheless. he way see his way to carry it out. I would have the Prays not only rus continuously along the whole ses frontage, but I would have it also my hon. widened. Now I am quite aware friens bere will feel there are questions of

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finance to be considered; but I also thinki that if the Government were at once to prepare plans for a widened Praya, if they wors to

line of the" arrange what the limit band is to be, and then if they were to give permission to individual lot holders, if they pleased, to bund out to that sea line, great progress would he made without at all olling npon the Government for any expenditure. The conditions noon which that laud should be al- lowed to be filled in should, I think, be somewhat of the following naturo, I think the band lot. holders who elect to fill in their ground to this line should be en itled to the use of that ground until the Praya is completed, subject af course, on the completion of the Praya, to their being re-imbursed the cost of filling in, and having the privilege of preemption at any price fixad by Go- vernment, or buying it at public auction. I am asanred ou the best authority that if this scheme were carried out we should speedily see the whole of the Praya, at all events from the westward from Belchers Bay as far as tho P. and . Company's wharf, rapidly filled up. Sir, before I sit down I think it necessary to say a few words upon that moch vexed question, the ears- tion of the colony. I am indeed glad to see that at last we are to have the Central School commenced. Bat, sir, I confess I do not think we are yet alive to our responsibilities in the matter of providing adequate secular education in this Colony. It seems to me that we are lavish of our grats to the denominational schools, and that we are very grudging of any support to the Central School. It is very much in this way, sir, that when 150,000 of our fellow colonists call out for the bread of that knowledge which they requiro, we seom to teader to them the inharmonious fragments of stone which to them at least re- present the divergent and conflicting tenets of western sectarianism. Sir, I am sure all who were present at that interesting ceremony which took place at the Coutral School a few weeks aro must have come away perfectly assured that the character of the education #ap- plied at the Central School is satisfactory to the Chinese, and I am also sure we cannot in justice refuse longer to provide them with the accommod. ation they require, and which they are willing to pay for. With regard to the Grant-in-Aid schoola, at the last meeting of this Connoil, when I protested against a further grant of about $6,000 to the St. Joseph's College, I ask. ed a question of my hou, friend three paces on my left (the Registrar-General) as being more ao- quainted with educational matters in this colony than perhaps any other porson, whether he felt quite sure that the character of the education supplied by that college was satisfactory to the people who were concerned in it. He was unable to give me say information on the subject, but, sir, singe thou I have received communications from many quarters which assure me that the Catholic population of this colony are not satisfied with the education for which large grants, of money are given. That that dis-

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! satisfaction is not more widely known is, I am told. mainly in consequence of the fears which the members of the Roman Catholic Church bare of the influenos of their priesthood. Aud. sir, the painful incident which occurred the other day, when the remains of a much este mod resident of this colony, and a member of the Roman Catholic Church, were rofused interment in the Roman Catholic burial ground, seems to give some ground for thesai allegations. I shall take an early opportunity of calling tho attention of the Council to the subject, and of inquiring under what condi. tions the tenure of the Roman Catholic ¦ barying ground beld. I have only one word more to say, sir, with regard to this question of education, which is that I hope my hon. friends the nuofficial members, when the estimates for 185 are to be laid before them, will most carefully scrutinise the way iu which large sums of money are grauted to educational institutions in this colony. I trust, sir, that they will satisfy themselves that the educational tests on which these grants of money are made are satisfsetory as well to themselves as to the colony. I myself am inclined to believe that it will be far more satisfactory to us al if the inspection of schools is confined to a single individual, but confided to a qualified commission. The speech from the chair, sir, alluded to the defences of this island. I am glad indeed to hear that Ilis Ex- cellency the Governor has made forcible repre sentations to the Imperial Government with re- gard to the necessity of at once taking measures for placing this island in an efficient state of defence. I am opposed on principle to any grant of public money for the purpose what of carrying out

I believe to bo exclusively an Imperial duty; but nevertheless I cannot but feel that it is very desirable for this colony that those defences should be proceeded with;

I a00 now merely stat- ing my own opinion, and throwing it out as a suggestion, that I think it would be desirable if the colony would approach the Imperial Government with sonie mes. sure of compromise. I am sure that if the waste lands now held by the military autho- rities while they are considering what kind of batteries they should erect--if they were handed over to the Colonial Government they would yield # vory ample revenue, and undor those circumstancos, sir, I think it very desir. ablo those lands should be released as soon as possible Suppose, as I have heard it estimated, that a sum of £100,000 is required to put this is- 1 land and its approaches into an efficient state of defence, I do not think it would be any very great hardship upon us, considering that upon that condition these waste lands would be given over to us, if we were to pay

fourth of that amount on the! say one condition that the Imperial overnment would guaranies a loan to be raised for that pur- pose. I assume that nuder these circumstances the money could be raised at a very low rate of interest, and supposing we are worth £300,000 i or £350,000 a year, it would make to grea difference to our finances. I am sure you will all agree with me that it would be a very serious thing if this island were subjected to a successful, or indeed, an unsuccesful attack from

and hostile power, Some

the sug- gestion I have thrown ont I submit to the consideration of the Connell. Sir, in conelusion I cordially acho the language in the speech from the obair which expressed a hope that the cordial cooperation of the members of this Council with the Governor will tend to the prosperity of this colony. I au quite sure, sir, as I said before. that "the committees will tend greatly to the oficiency of the Government. I am sure, sir,! our thanks, and the thanks of the colony, a e due to His Excellency the Governor for the great interest that he has taken, ka ly hon. friend Mr. Ryrie) has justly re- marked, in all matters affecting the welfare of the colony, and not only that, but in stimulating the interest of the public of this community in all public matters. Sir, he will bave done a great deal if by exciting that public interest be bas done something to wean as, the members of this commanity, from that devotion to our business and private affairs, which is admir- able in itself, but which, I venture to say, does not release us from those responsibilities, and from performing those duties, which every citizen owes to the community to which he belongs.. (Hear, hear, and applause).

The COLONIAL TREASURER-I rise, sir, to answer the question of my hon. friend with ro. gard to the opium revenue, With regard to the

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