CO129-234 - Acting Governor Cameron Governor Des Voeus - 1887 [9-12] — Page 419

The Un-Official Members wishing to record their votes against the passing of the Bill, a division was taken, which resulted as follows:-

Ayes.

THE HARBOUR MASTER.

THE SURVEYOR GENERAL.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER,

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

THE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE.

Noes.

Honourable A. P. MACEWEN,

C. P. CHATER.

52

J. BELL-IRVING.

WONG SHING.

22

P. RYRIE.

The Bill was passed by a majority of one, and numbered as Ordinance No. 24 of 1887. CLOSING OF THE SESSION.-His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government then closed the Session with the following speech :-

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

The time has now arrived for closing this session, and it will be for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor, Sir G. WILLIAM DES Vœux when the Council is to re-assemble. The Session of 1886-1887 has been unusually prolonged for the purpose of disposing of that vexed and long pending question "The Public Health Ordinance," and it is hoped you will be well repaid for your labours, when, in the course of time, the benefits conferred by this Bill will have practically manifested themselves, and been duly recognized by the Public. The Opium Ordinance, as far as can be seen, is fully realizing the anticipations of Government in improving our friendly relations with China, whilst in no way injuring the interests of the honest trader. The Ordinance has been worked locally without, I believe, any friction or inconveniences to our own people, and the Chinese Commissioner of Customs informs me that smuggling has been effectually stopped.

Complaints on the part of the merchants regarding increased duties imposed on certain articles of commerce have been met in a friendly and accommodating spirit by the Chinese Foreign Collectorate, and my despatches on the subject, which are, confidentially, open to the perusal of Honourable Members, will, I trust, have properly represented the commercial interests of the Community,

The invaluable services of His Honour, Acting Chief Justice RUSSELL, who has been chiefly instrumental in bringing about so happy a settlement of this difficult and embarassing Opium question, have been fully recognized by Her Majesty's Government and the Govern- ment of Hongkong, and he well deserves the thanks of the whole community whose interests he has so well represented.

Mr. SETH has been most indefatigable and able in his management of the Opium Office, and to him is largely due the successful working of the Ordinance.

Among other Ordinances which have been passed this Session and which call for remarks

are-

414

5. Closely allied to these three Ordinances is that of No. 16 of 1887 empowering the Courts to award whipping for certain crimes-an Ordinance which it is hoped will act as a

into force. put strong and effectual deterrent, and will therefore not be often

6. The Cattle Diseases, Slaughter House, and Markets Ordinance (No. 17 of 1887) is a useful and practical piece of legislation, the object of which is to secure the Colony from the introduction of cattle plague or other infectious diseases, the better regulation of our slaughter houses, and the cleanliness and good order of our markets.

7. The Ordinances relating to the

1. Post Office,

2. Police Force,

3. Juries and Licences,

have been amended and consolidated by several Ordinances passed this session.

8. The work of the Law Revision Committee and the preparation of the revised edition of the Ordinances has been furthered by the passing of these Ordinances and by the Statute Law Revision Ordinance No. 4 of 1887, which finally repeals and removes from our Statute Book no less than 102 Ordinances and parts of 5 others.

9. The protection of adopted daughters and young girls has been furthered by the passing of Ordinance No. 9 of 1887.

The necessity of such an Ordinance is clearly shown by the fact that there are at present no less than 205 young girls under the protection of the Registrar General, the most of whom, if not all, would have been brought up to a life of shame and immorality, had it not been for the intervention of the anthorities. It is hoped that the manner in which this Ordinance, which at first was viewed with a certain amount of apprehension on the part of the Chinese, has been worked, has removed all those fears and proved to the Chinese residents that the only object which the Government had in passing it was to put a stop to a shameful traffic and to protect those who could not protect themselves.

The Annual Reports from the several Government Departments for the year 1886 have already placed the public in possession of the necessary information regarding them, and leave me but little to say excepting to testify to the zeal, energy, capacity for work, and devotion to the public service evinced by the heads of departments and their subordinates, and which I have seldom seen equalled, certainly not surpassed, in any Colony.

The recommendations of the Police Commission have mostly been adopted or are being adopted as opportunity offers, and considering the great difficulties the Police labour under, the facilities offenders have of escape and the little assistance rendered by the Chinese public in the detection of crime or apprehension of criminals, I think we may be well satisfied that good order is on the whole so well preserved.

A better acquaintance with the Chinese language, which it is desired to encourage on

of the English Contingent, would much conduce to efficiency.

the

These

part

1. Legislative Council witnesses, and the Commissioners Powers Ordinances. are important additions to our Statute Book, as they enable the Legislative Council to compel the attendance of witnesses and to examine them on oath, whilst the "Commissioners Powers Ordinance" authorizes the Governor, for the purpose of instituting and conducting any inquiry which may be necessary, to appoint Commissioners who will have all the powers of the Supreme Court for the purpose of enforcing the attendance of witnesses, compelling the production of documents, and punishing for contempt.

2. The Law concerning Joint Stock Companies has by Ordinance No. 30 of 1886 been amended and improved by the introduction into this Colony of the provisions of certain Imperial Statutes.

3. The Law of Defamation and Libel has by Ordinance No. 5 of 1887 been modified and amended by introducing the provisions of the Imperial Act respecting Newspapers and

Libels.

4. The cause of order and peace in the Colony has been further promoted by the passing-

i. Of an Ordinance regulating the carriage and possession of arms.

ii. Of an Ordinance enabling Government to take steps for the suppression of the

Triad and other unlawful Societies, and

iii. Of an Ordinance for the more effectual prevention of crime by placing under police supervision all criminals who are liberated from gaol before expiry of

their sentence.

The necessity of the second mentioned Ordinance was strongly urged on the Government by a Commission which was appointed to enquire into Secret Societies, and which proved to what an extent these unlawful Societies existed here, and the power which they were enabled to exercise, a power which they used not only for their personal benefit, but often to the prejudice of justice by the help which they extended to criminals.

The improvement in the discipline and management of the Gaol has been well maintained, and acts as a wholesome deterrent to crine.

The large increase in the total tonnage of shipping entering this port, as shewn in the Harbour Master's report, speaks well for the growing prosperity of the Colony, which is still further evidenced by the steadily increasing population and extensive building and reclamation operations either in progress or being planned.

There is apparently every sign that this prosperity, in which we are happy to see our Chinese fellow-citizens so largely participating, is of a substantial and lasting character, and that the Colony has a great future before it.

In respect of Public Works and Improvements, as satisfactory progress has been made as could be expected under the difficulties of the rainy season.

Among the more important undertakings of the year may be mentioned the extension Another instalment of nearly on improved sanitary principles of the main sewers of the town. two miles of these new main drains has been added to those previously existing since my predecessor last addressed you.

The new Victoria College works are now well advanced, and it is anticipated that the Unforeseen new building will be ready for occupation during the earlier portion of next year. legal difficulties in clearing the Central Market of its tenants have led to some delay in the commencement of the new Public Market, but these difficulties having now been surmounted, arrangements have been made to begin the new market buildings early next month when the rainy season will have practically come to a close.

The tunnel under the Tytam mountain range being now open throughout, the extension of the public water supply is rapidly approaching completion.

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