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account, and if these men earn any income or are able at the moment to pay any award; the colour interest I apprehend that the money thus earned might have no public funds for that purpose, but will be added to the same account as that on which possibly this money might be temporarily raised by the principal stands. Sections 25 and 26 provide, as I have already stated, for amicable arrangements either by terms or by the exercise of powers of exchange. Section 29 I apprehend there is no objection to now. It prohibits any suit against the Crown Sanitary Board in respect to certain matters in connection with houses resumed and closed by the Sanitary Board. It originally was more general in application and applied to lands which had been closed by order of the Sanitary Board outside as well as within the particular area of Taipingshan. It is now confined to Taipingshan, and I presume there is no further objection to it. I do not know whether there are any other sections on which I need make any remarks. The last section but one enables other property within a period of six months of the coming into operation of this Ordinance to be brought within its powers. That seems to be absolutely necessary, if it is true that there are other blocks or other areas which are in a similar condition to that which it is proposed to resume. In resuming by seat I may say that the Government has given very earnest consideration to this Bill and every objection raised to it, and their principle has been throughout in framing it, in bringing it before the public and in putting it before this assembly—festina lente.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—I second the Bill.
Bill read a second time.
The Council then went into Committee on the Bill.
Upon Section 27 providing for funds out of which the compensation shall be paid,
A few other immaterial alterations were made, but some difficulty arose in regard to certain lots named in the schedule.
His EXCELLENCY—As there is some alteration...
Hon. R. BELILIOS—Will not that be postponing the passing of the Bill too long, sir?
His EXCELLENCY—It has to wait for the Royal Assent. I have already sent the draft home to the Secretary of State, and informed him that the unofficial members had promised that there should not be any important amendment; I will telegraph to him when it is passed, and I asked him to telegraph Her Majesty's assent. That will take at least five weeks, so that there is no need to have the third reading at once. I will adjourn the Council to this day fortnight.
ADJOURNMENT.
The Council then adjourned until the 17th.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said—It has been suggested that it might not be practicable...
PRESENT
17 SEPTEMBER, 1894.
His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Acting Colonial Secretary,
Hon. A. J. LEACH, Q.C., Acting Attorney-General.
Hon. N. G. MITCHELL-INNES, Colonial Treasurer.
Hon. R. M. RUMSEY, R.N., Harbour Master.
Hon. E. BOWDLER.
Hon. C. P. CHATER.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK.
Hon. HO KAI.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.
Hon. A. McCONACHIE.
Mr. A. SETH, Clerk of Councils.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting, after slight amendment, were read and confirmed.
THE REPORT OF THE RETRENCHMENT COMMITTEE.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—I have the honour to lay on the table the report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the expenditure of the colony.
THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS—Sir, is it a fact that a certain and not inconsiderable proportion of the amount voted by this Council as a contribution for the maintenance of the Garrison and which is paid in sterling at the rate of exchange of the day, is spent by the Military Authorities locally and in silver dollars, and if so will not the War Office consent to receive such contribution at its average amount in dollars calculated at the rate of exchange prevailing at the date the contribution was increased to £40,000 sterling? With your Excellency's permission I beg to point out that owing to the fall in exchange the contribution presses with great severity on the Colony, and if a large proportion of the sum is expended locally and in dollars the War Office are profiting greatly by our loss. This was never contemplated when the sum was fixed at £40,000, and if the concession suggested were made it would, to some extent, relieve the Colony without causing loss to the War Office, the prices of food, &c., having not appreciably advanced in Hongkong.
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The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—Though it is not possible to distinguish the various military disbursements as being made from any particular receipt, I am able to state that out of a total of £154,000 disbursed locally last year by the military about £68,000 were spent in payment fixed in dollars and not in sterling, either in the form of a draft or otherwise.
As regards the second part of the question I may mention that the Governor has already made several representations to the Secretary of State respecting the necessity of reconsidering the military contribution on account of the fall in exchange, and in his despatches to the Secretary of State has supported the view held by the unofficial members and by the members of the Committee appointed to enquire into the Expenditure of the colony, viz., that the military contribution should be fixed in dollars and not, as at present, in sterling. It is not too much to expect an early reply to his Excellency's representations.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS—"It has been suggested that because this Ordinance does not provide for compensation of owners for rents lost, the Government intends to give no such compensation at all. I wish at once to remove that misapprehension. The question whether the Government shall provide compensation or not is under consideration, and if a scheme is hereafter formulated it would have to receive the sanction of the Secretary of State. In either event it would mean very serious delay in carrying out the provision now contemplated, which are deemed essential and urgent by the Permanent Committee. I may also state that the schedules of this Ordinance are not yet quite complete; these schedules will show what houses have been and still are closed, what have been closed and reopened under the Permanent Committee's conditions; but I propose with your Excellency's sanction to obtain a list of those houses in an enlarged form showing not only what the schedules in this Ordinance will show but showing the names of the owners of the houses which have been closed, the time during which they have been closed, and, if it is possible to ascertain it, the amount of rent which those houses, if let, would have obtained for their owners during the period of their being closed. Upon that schedule or list a scheme could be formulated or an Ordinance drafted, and I do not think it would be a matter of great difficulty. With these few remarks I beg to move the first reading of the Bill, and I may say that all the time which the unofficial members think necessary for the consideration of the Bill will be given before the second reading.
WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—I beg permission to withdraw the motion standing in my name. I trust to be in a position to bring it forward at the next meeting of Council.
HEALTH ORDINANCE 1894
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—I have to second the first reading of the Bill.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I beg to move the first reading of a Bill to make provision for dealing with certain houses closed during the plague, and to make further and better provision for the health of the colony. In moving the first reading I do not intend to detain the Council at any great length. The Bill has been in the hands of hon. members for such a short time that I am quite sure they will better appreciate my remarks after further consideration of this measure, but I wish to make a short statement as to the real object of the Bill, and to remove misapprehensions as to its intended effect. The object of the Bill is to carry out certain recommendations of the Permanent Committee of the Sanitary Board and the Housing Committee—only such recommendations as are deemed to be necessary and expedient at present and not to touch upon other of their recommendations which would necessitate careful consideration of the Building and Health Ordinances, which must certainly occupy time.
Hon. J. J. KESWICK—Sir, this Bill, as the hon. Attorney-General has just mentioned, has been in the hands of the unofficial members such a short time that we shall need some delay before the second reading, as it has been quite impossible to master its contents. It is an exceedingly important measure, and a cursory glance at it I think will show that it is one which would be wholly unacceptable to the public, and its provisions in many respects would be wholly inapplicable to this community. It is my intention, therefore, unless it is very materially altered before it comes up for the second reading...
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account, and if these mouss earn any income or ¦ able at the moment to pay any award; the colou interest I apprehend that the money thus earned might have no public funds for that propose, but will be added to the same account as that on which possibly this money might be temporarily raised by the principal stands. Sections 25 and 26 provie, means of Government bonds or debentures bear- as 1 have already stated, for amicable Arrange-ing interest at a rate lower than seven per cent. ments either by terms or by the exercise of and redeemable at 3. 6, or 9 month. Therefore powers of exchange. Section 29 I apprehend in order to make it possible to iste those bonda there is no objection to now. It prohibits any sait or debentures, I propose that the section against the Crown Sanitary Board in respect should read as follows-Affsums required for to certain matters in connection with houses how the purposes of this Ordipavos for compensation resumed and closed by the Sanitary Board. It or costs of arbitration against the Crown shall originally was more general in application and be borne and paid ony of the public funds of the applied to lands which had closed by order colony or may be raised, provided for, or paid and of the Sanitary Board outside as well as within paid by Public Soan or in such other manner as the particular area of Taipingsha It is now may be suthorized by Ordinance. confined to Taipingsban, and I presurse there is Agreed. no further objection to it. I do not kay whe ther there are any other sections ou which I need make any remarks. The last section hat one enables other property within a period of six, months of the coming into operation of this Oration needed in the schedule I think we had dinance to be brought within its powers. That better postpone the third reading until these seems to be absolutely necessary, if it is rue alterations are made. I suggest that we moet that there are other blocks or other areas which this day fortnight. are in a similar condition to that which it is proposed to resume. In resuming by seat I may say that the Government has given very earnest consideration to this Bill and every objce. tion raised to it, and their principle has been throughout in framing it, in ringing it before the public and in putting it before this assembly- festina lente.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I se- cond the Bil
Bill real a second time.
The Couge then went into Committee on the Bill.
Upon Section 27 providing for funds out of which the compensation shall be paid,
A few ther immaterial alterations were made, but some dificulty arose in regard to cartaiu lots named in the schedule.
Alis EXCELLENCY-As there is some alter-
Hon. R. BELILIOS-Will not that be postponing the passing of th Bill too long, sir !
His EXCELLENCY-It has to wait for the Royal Assent. I have already sent the draft home to the Secretary State, and informed him that the unofficial members had promised that there should not be any important amendment; I will telegraph to him when it is passed, and I asked him to telegraph Her Majesty's assont. That will take at least five weeks, so that there is no need to have the third reading at once. I will adjourn the Council to this day fortnight.
ADJOURNMENT,
The Council then adjourned until the 17th
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL said-It has been suggested that it might not be practio. iust.
PRESENT
17 SEPTEMBER, 1894.
His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Asting Colonial Secretary,
Hou, A. J. LEACH, Q.C., Acting Attorney- Geueral.
Hou. N. G. MITCHELL-INNES, Colonial Treasurer.
Hon. R. M. RUMSEY, B.N,, Harbour Master. Hon. E. BowDLER.
Hon. C. P. CHATER.
Hon. J J. KESKICK.
Hon. Ho KAL.
Hon. E. E. BELILIOS, C.M.G.
Hou, A. McCONACHIE
Mr. A. SE:H, Clerk of Councils.
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting, after slight amendment, were read and confirmed.
THE REPORT OF THE RETRENCAMENT COMMITTEE.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have the honour to lay on the table the report of the Committee appointed to enquire into the expen- ditare of the colony.
THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION. Hon. E. R. BELILIOS--Sir, is it a fact that a certain and not inconsiderable proportion of the amount voted by this Council as a contribution for the maintenance of the Garrison and which is paid in sterling at the rate of exchange of the day, is spent by the Military Authorities locally and in silver dollars, and if so will not the War
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Office consent to receive such contribution at its two or three months. One misapprehension iu average amount in dollars calculated at the rate of particular I wish to avoid. I have heard it exchange prevailing at the date the contribution said You are going to deal with a butcher was increased to £40,000 sterling? With your of houses that have been closed by the Per- Excelloney's permission I beg to point out that manent Committee, under the authority con owing to the fall in exchange the contribution ferred by their by laws and by the special by- prosses with great severity on the Colony, and if laws made during the prevalence of the plagus a large proportion of the sum is expended locally and by the Ordinance passed to confirm what had in dollars the War Office are profiting greatly been done, and yet you are making no provision by our loss. This was never contemplated when whatever for the compensation of the persons the sum was fixed at £40.000, und if the conces. who have lost money in rent by reason of the sion suggested were made it wonid, to some ex- action of the Permanent Committee.” It has teat, relieve the Colony without causing loss to been suggested that because this Ordinance the War Office, the prices of food, &c., having does not provide for compensation of owners for not appreciably advanced in Hongkong.
rents lost, the Government intends to give The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-Though no such compousation at all. I wish at once
it is not possible to distinguish the vacions to remove that misapprehension. The question military disbursements as being made from any whether the Government shall provide com particular receipt, I am able to state that out pensation or not is under consideration, and if a of a total of £154,000 disbursed locally last year scheme is hereafter formulated it would have to by the military about £68.000 were spent in receive the sanction of the Secretary of State. payment fixed in dollars and not in sterling, either in the form of a draft sebeme soat home As regards the second part of the question I sud approved previonsly, or in the form may mention that the Governor has already of an ordinance, with a suspending clause. made several representatious to the Secretary of In either event it would mean very sorious delay State respecting the necessity of reconsidering in carrying out the provision now contemplated, the military contribution on account of the fall which are deemed essential and urgent by the in exchange, and in his despatches to the Secre- Permanent Committee. I may also state that tary of State has supported the view held by the the schedules of this Ordinance are not yet quite naofficial members and by the members of the complete; these schedules will show what houses Committee appointed to enquire into the Ex- have been and still are closed, what have been penditure of the colony, viz., that the military closed and reopened under the Permanent Cora- contribution should be fixed in dollars and not, as mittee's conditions; but I propose with your at present, in sterling. It is not too much to Excellency's sauction to obtain a list of those expect au early reply to his Excellency's repre- houses in an enlarged form showing not Bentations.
only what the schedules in this Ordinance will show but showing the names of the owners of the bouses which bave been closed, the time during which they have been closed, and, if it is possible to ascertain it, the amount of reat which those bouses, if lat, would have obtained for their owners during the period of their be- ing closed. Upon that schedule or list a scheme could be formulated or an Ordinance drafted, and I do not think it would be a matter of great diffenly, With these few remarks I beg to move the first reading of the Bill, and I may say that all the time which the unofficial members think necessary for the consideration of the Bill will be given before the second reading.
WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg permission to withdraw the motion standing is my name. I trust to be in a position to bring it forward at the next meeting of Council.
HEALTH ORDINANCE 1894
|
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-1 bag to s-cond the first reading of the Bill.
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL-I beg to move the first reading of a Bill to make pro- vision for dealing with certain houses clossa during the plague, and to make further and bet. ter provision for the health of the colony. 1 Ki moving the first reading I do not intend to de- tain the Council at any great length. The Bill has been in the hands of bon. members for such a short time that 1 sm quite sure they will better appreciate my remarks after further considera- tion of this nieasure, but I wish to make a short statement as to the real object of the Bill, and to remove misapprehensions as to its intended | been in the hands of the unofficial members such effect. The object of the Bill is to carry out certain recommendatious of the Permanent Co- the second reading, as it has been quite impossible mitten of the Sanitary Board and the Housing to master its contents. It is an exceedingly im- Committee-only such recommendations as are portant measuro, and a cursory glance at it I deemed to be necessary and expedient at think will show that it is one which would be present and not to touch upon other of wholly unacceptable to the public, aud its provi- their recommendations which would necessitate sions in many respects would be wholly inapplic. careful consideration of the Building and able to this community. It is any intention there. Health Ordinances, which must certainly occupy fore, unless it is very materially aitored betore it
Hon. J. J. KESWICK-Sir, this Bill, as the hou. Attorney-General has just mentioned, has
a short time that we shall need some delay before
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