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comes up again—and unless very ample time is given for its consideration, which I am glad to note the hon. Attorney-General has promised—it is my intention to move at the second reading that the Bill be thrown out.
This was agreed to.
In Sections 19 and 14,
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the insertion of the words "after hearing the parties" after the words "the Board" in each section.
Agreed.
Council then resumed.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I beg to move the third reading of the Bill.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—I beg to second it.
Bill read a third time and passed.
HON. C. P. CHATER'S MOTION FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A COMMISSION.
The Bill was then read a first time.
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL 1893.
The COLONIAL TREASURER—I have the honour, sir, to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of a Supplementary sum of $212,547.92 to defray the charges of the year 1893. I have endeavoured, as my report shows, to simplify the form of the supplementary estimates this year with a view to rendering them more intelligible to hon. members of Council.
HON. C. P. CHATER—I beg to move the resolution standing in my name. Your Excellency, it is not necessary for me to speak at length in support of the motion which stands in my name today, for I have already given my reasons why I consider the appointment of a Commission as I advocate to be a prudent measure, and I sincerely trust there is now no misunderstanding about them.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
Bill read a second time.
me even to appear to throw obstacles in the way of measures undertaken to avert the possibility of a recurrence of the plague which has so recently afflicted us, but it is strongly borne in upon me that all that is necessary might be done without having recourse to such wholesale destruction as has been proposed. I say—let your Excellency appoint a Commission such as I ask for, of as representative a nature as possible, and then, if the Commission decide that the original plan of destruction must be carried out, I and many who think with me will have the satisfaction of knowing that the question has had every possible consideration in all its aspects; but on the other hand, if the decision of the Commission coincides with our idea, a large sum of money will have been saved to our at present hard-pressed Colony.
The Bill passed through Committee without discussion.
The Council resumed.
The COLONIAL TREASURER moved the third reading of the Bill.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
Bill read a third time and passed.
THE TAIPINGSHAN RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.
Council resumed the consideration of the schedules of this Bill in Committee.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved that the Bill be recommitted in order that a few small alterations might be made.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
Bill in Committee.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL suggested that the provision for inserting an advertisement of the list of lots, etc., in a London paper was unnecessary, as he was given to understand that only two owners resided at home and they were represented here.
The deletion was agreed to.
Upon Section 8,
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved an alteration which provided that instead of four months (as originally provided), the words "as soon as possible and not more than six months after the publishing of the constitution of the Board of Arbitration" should rule the period for the sending in of claims for compensation, and explained that this alteration would probably enable the Board to get to work on the settlement of claims for compensation four months earlier than under the original wording of the clause.
point a Commission such as I ask for, of as representative a nature as possible...
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excellent streets of concrete, well-laid-down channels, and excellent granite steps, and much other valuable property which it seemed to me it was not entirely necessary to destroy. I do not advocate for a moment half measures. Considering the disastrous effect of the plague on the trade of the colony, no one, I think, would advocate that; after a few little structural alterations, Taipingshan, the seat of the plague, might easily be made an oasis in the desert—an earthly paradise.
His EXCELLENCY—Gentlemen, I feel bound, in what I consider the best interests of the Colony, to oppose the motion of the hon. member. I am very sorry that I should be obliged to take this step, because the hon. member has, on many occasions, given to me personally and to the Government most excellent advice and assistance, but I venture to think, on this occasion, his assistance is not worth our acceptance, and his advice is not sound.
...has also sought to persuade those who will no doubt feel financial loss under the Resumption Ordinance that if the streets and alleys of Taipingshan, which have been described by medical eye-witnesses as "pestiferous, foul, poisonous, and a mass of pollution," he has tried to persuade these people that by the application of a little extra whitewash and water, the houses and streets might be made to "rejoice like the desert and flourish like the rose."
Gentlemen, I ask—is it possible that we, a body of sane men, can receive statements of this sort in the face of overwhelming evidence we have received from experts and scientists in the matter? I say certainly not.
His EXCELLENCY—...I think the acceptance of the hon. member's motion would be running a great risk, which I personally dare not incur. The trade of the Colony has suffered sufficiently in the last six months, and if we had unhappily a recurrence of the plague, I am afraid our trade would not temporarily but permanently suffer.
...I do not think the hon. member fully realises the awkward position in which I should be placed if I accepted his motion. I do not think I could—I do not feel prepared to try to—select a body of gentlemen with greater experience, greater knowledge of the Colony, greater ability, and whose opinions would carry greater weight than the gentlemen composing the Permanent Committee and the Housing Committee; and am I, as Governor, after having accepted their advice and thanking them for it two months ago, to turn round now and say, "Gentlemen, although I accepted your advice two months ago, I have repented and I must get an abler body of men, in whom I have more confidence, to reconsider your opinions and give me better advice?"
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comes up again-and unless very ample time given for its consideration which I am glad to note the hon. Attorney-General has promised -it is my intention to more at the second reading that the Bill be thrown out.
This was agreed to.
In Sections 19 and 14,
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the insertion of the words "after hearing the parties" after the words "the Board" in each section.
Agreed.
Council then resumed.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the third reading of the Bill
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second it.
Bill read a third time and passed. HON. C. P. CHATER'S MOTION FOR THE APPOINT.
V
The Bill was then read a first time. SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL 1893. The COLONIAL TREASURER-I have the hon. our, sir, to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to authorise the Appro- priation of a Supplementary sum of $212.547 92 I have to defray the charges of the year 1893. endeavoured as my report shows to simplify the form of the supplementary estimates this
MENT OF A COMMISSION. year with a view to rendering them more in.
I have Hon. C. P. CHATER-I beg to move the telligible to hon. members of Council.
name. Your much satisfaction in stating that the net increase resolution standing in for the year, in spite of the drop in the gold Excellency, it is not necessary for me to speak at value of the dollar, amounts to some $2,000 only. length in support of the motion which stands while the expenditure on public works extraoria my name 10-day, for I have already given dinary has been brought up inch nearer to the my reasons why I consider the appointment of estimate than it has best in bygone years, As such a Commission as I advocate to be a prudent will be seen the net increase for which i bava toeasure, and I sincerely trust there is now vo F'ar be it from to ask a vote is only $2,000, though the total sum misunderstanding about them. which I am compelled to ask for amounts to $212,547. I shall be happy in Committee to answer any questions which hon. members may wish to put to me regarding any of the items,
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded. Bill road a second time.
me even to appear to throw obstacles in the way of measures undertaken to avert the possibility of a recurrence of the plague which has so recently afflicted us but it is strongly borne in upou me that all that is necessary might be done without having recourse to such wholesale destruction as
The Bill passed through Committee without has been proposed. I say-let your Excellency ap discussion.
The Council resumed.
The COLONIAL TREASUREE moved the third reading of the Bill.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Bill read a third time and passed. THE TAIPINGSHAN RESUMPTION ORDINANCE. Couroil resumed the cousideration of the schedules of this Bill in Committee.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved that the Bill be recommitted in order that a few small alteratious might be made.
The ACTING COLON: AL SECRETALY seconded. Bill in Commité e.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL suggested that the provision for inserting an advertise ment of the list of lots, etc.. in a Loudon paper was unnecessary as he was given to understand that only two owners rosided at home and they were represented here.
The deletion was agreed to. Upea Section 8,
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL moved an alteration which provided that instead of four months (as originally provided) the words "as soon as possible and not more than six conths after the publishing of the constitution of the Board of Arbitration" should rule the period for the sending in of claims for compensation and explained that this alteration would probably Loake the Board to get to work ou the settlement of claims for compensation four month searlier than under the original wording of the clause.
point a Commission such as I ask for, of as repre- sentative a dature as possible, and then, if the Commission decide that the original plan of the destruction must be carried out, I and many who think with me will have the satisfac- tion of knowing that the question has had every possible consideration in all its aspects; but on the other hand, if the decision of the Commission coincides with our idea, a large sum of money will have been saved to our at present hard-pressed Colony. Therefore I beg to propose that & Commis- sion be appointed to enquire into and report to the Government upon the question of what portion of the buildings situated on the land to be re- samed under the provisions of the Taipingshan Resumption Bill should be destroyed, and what portion should not.
Hon. A. MCCONACHIE-Your Excellency, I rise to second the resolution just proposed by my friend the senior unofficial member. He has made the objent for which he asks for this Com mission so abundantly clear that it is unneces sary for me to add much. I can quite under- stand all who have not personally examined this property for themselves, and having read the evidence presented to the Government for the total destruction of Taipingsban, coming to that conclusion that that is necessary. I was of that number myself. However, I considered it my duty to examine the property in company with others very carefully, and I may say that the impression was forced upon my mind that there was a great deal of excellent property,
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excellent streets of concrete, well laid down chan- the past. While this steady decrease has been nels, and excellent granite steps, and much other going on the pen of the ready writer I have valuable property which it seemed to me it was referred to has been wielded with considerable not entirely necessary to destroy. I do not ad effect. He told us-as has been inferred by vooate for a moment half measures. Considering the hon. member representing the Chamber of the disastrons effect of the plague on the trade of Commerce-be told us in polished periods that the colony no one. I think, would advocate that; after a few little structural alterations Taiping- but I am not at all satisfied that all the evidence shan, the seat of the plagae, might easily be made that is in the passession of the Government has an oasis in the desert-an earthly paradise. Be been given by those who first for themselves per- has also sought to persuade those who will no sonslly inspected the property, and I am afraid a doubt feel financial loss under the Resumption great deal of it is, as it were, hearsay evidence. Ordinance that if the streets and alleys of Tai- I feel sure that if all would go and see the pingsbau, which have been described by the property for themselves they would join in the medical eye-witnesses as pestiferous, foul, conclusion arrived at by those with whom I was poisonous, and a mass of pollution" he has associated in the inspection. I think the greater tried to persnade these people that by the ap- number of them came to the conclusion that it plication of a little extra whitewash and water was a pity to destroy so much valuable property. the honses and streets might be made to "re- Therefore I think if this Commission were joice like the desert and floorish like the Goutlemen, I ask-is it possible that granted and they examined the property per- ross." sonally it would give satisfaction to all. It we, a body of sane meu, can receive state- after examining it as a whole they came to the ments of this sort in the face of overwhelming decision that to be absolutely safe it is desirable evidence we have received from experts and to destroy it all, then I say I should approve of scientists in the matter? I say certainly not. their action. Only do not destroy that which it is entirely unnecessary to destroy.
His EXCELLENCY-Gentlemeu, I feel bound, in what I consider the best interests of the Colony, to oppose the motion of the hon. men ber. I am very sorry that I should be obliged to take this step because the hon. member has, on many occasions, given to me personally and to the Government most excellent advice and as sistance, but I venture to think, on this occasion. his assistanos is not worth our acceptance and his advice is not sound. I shall be very sorry if this motion is passed. I trust the bon. mem- ber will not be able to command a majority of votes, because if the motion is passed it will, I think, simply mean further concessions to the weak-kneed, and we have certainly made sufficient concessions already in the Taipingshan Resumption Ordinance. The passage of this motion will mean a lot of further fruitless disous- sion and more litigation, and I have no doubt it will result in dangerous and unnecessary delays. Gentlemen, I do not think we need go very far to find out the soure from which the hon. member has gained his inspiratios. Yon know in these degenerate days as they are called the pou is very often mightier than the sword, and we all know that some weeks agoa highly respected member of the community- gentleman resident at the Peak-wielded his pen with very great effect. There is no truer saying. I think, and I am sure it is a saying which will recommend itself to the gentleman in question, if it is a Scriptural ons, than that Familiarity breeds contempt." That is exactly the case in this instance. We have seen the plague come amongst us, we have seen it increase in virulence and carry off its bundred victims per day, and we have seen it gradnally abate, and, thank God, we have seen it disappear; and we, now, only look upon it as an evil of
may farther say that, supposing any ad- ditional evidence is wanted, such as the senior unofficial member and the member representing the Chamber of Commercs desire, surely we have in the Government service onr Colonial Surgeon, with 25 or 30 years' experience in the Colouy, and our Director of Public Works→ both able and responsible men-who are fully capable of giving us as good advice as anyone can on the subject. I think the acceptance of the hon. member's motion would be ruaning a great risk, which I personally dare not incur. The trade of the Colony has suffered sufficiently in the last six months, and if we had unhappily 8 recurrence of the plagne I am afraid our trado would not temporarily but permanently suffer. Then, too, I do not think the hon. member fully realises the awkward position in which I should be placed if I accepted his motion. I do not think I could-I do not feel prepared to try to— select a body of gentlemen with greater experi- euce, greater knowledge of the Colony, greater ability, and whose opinions would carry greater weight than the gentlemen composing the Per manent Committee and the Housing Com mittee; and am 1, as Governor, after hav
their advice and thanking ing accepted them for it two months ago, to turn round now and say, "Gentlemon, although I accepted your advice two months ago I bave repented and I must get an abler body of men, in whom I have more confidence, to reconsider your opinions and give me better advice?" I am not prepared, gentlemen, to occupy a position of that sort; I am not prepared to put a question of that sort to the gentlemen who have noted so thoroughly in this matter. If I did. I should lay myself open to the charges of inconsistency and vacillation which would very properly be burled against ros. Might I call your attention to the programme which the
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