chiefly cow to cooperate in the same direction. Both these parties report that they have complied
with
my request,
have
ک
but no head cooles
registered up to the present
Нойлеров,
In forwarding this report, I beg to point out that I have not consulted any of the European Mer. chants who, either through Sheadcodies
ov
many
ui Con-pradores, in a uistances : employ large numbers of coolies. They could no doubt render valuable assistance in this matter, and I would suggest
that before any pro- secutions are instituted, which, I presume will be done at the mis- tance of the Sanitary Board, they should be consulted, either through the Chamber of Commerce on the Sanitary Board.
I have &c.
A
S. J. St. Stewart hockhart.
Registar General
Hon : Act. Col. Sect. }{
The Daily Press.
HONGKONG, MARCH 27TH, 18: 5.
HONGKONG LEGSLATIVE COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held yesterday afternoon.
i'resent:-..!
His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial- Secretary.
Hou. A. J. LEACH, Acting Attorney-General. Hoo, A. M. Taomson, Acting Colonial Trea
surer.
Hon. F. A. CoOPER, Director of Public Works. Hon. R. M. RUMSSY, Harbour Master.
Hon, C. P. CHATER,
Hon. Ho Kar.
Hon. J. J KESWICK
Hon. E. R. BELIGIOS, C.M.G.
Hon. A. McCONACHIE.
Mr. A. SETH, Clerk of Councils.
APPOINTMENT OF COLONIAL SECRETARY His EXCELLENCY-I have much pleasure in telling you that in accordance with the recom- mendations of the Retrenchment Committee, who have done valuable services in this cology. the Secretary of State has bean pleased to ap- point the fon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart Colonial Secretary. Whilst we ali regret the cause of the retirement of that very able officer. Sie George O'Brian. f am sure you will join with me in congratulating Mr. Stewart Lockhart upon his appointment, and in exorassing the hope that be will fill the office to which he has been promoted worthily and successfully. (Applause). The COLONIAL SECRETARY, having taken ther csih, said-I have to think your Excellency for the kind worde in which you have referred ta my appointment as Coloud Secretary, and the members of th› Council for the manner in which your rentars hare ben received,
ouly say that my one desire in the future will be as it has been in the past-to perform my duties to the best of my ability and to do every- thing in my power to farther the interests and promote the wolfare of this colony, in which th whole of my official care has been speol, an which has been kind to me in my ways, and lo which I am very firmly atixolrd. (Applause), THE STRIKE WEAK AND CHIMINAL" TO
BAND PROCEEDINGS.
His EXCELLENCY-- l'ha only flom 012 the order of the day 13 the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinanco to amend the Public Health Ordinance, 1837, in relation to Common Lodging ouses. The Asting Attorney. Gnooral will presently explain to you. the raison d'être of this Bill and tie necessity rich exists for paaring it through its varions. stages this afternoon. Before hs dous so I will, with your perzaission, say a few words with reference 10 the existing state of affairs. 16 is somewhat serious. I must express my surprise-not to use stronger term-ay disgust at the obstinacy. stupidity and iguor- anca of the Chinese labourers now on strike. They must aither haro been misled by
3
the loging buase kespersqör
C.O.
Enclosure 5
having regard
7
Crumre Lodgez horores
wilfully to by and to the they themselves bare wilfully misunderstood Negration. the object of the regulations pa-sel by this į Council at its last meeting. As you know per fectly well. the object of these regulations Was LoL to pave the way for a poll tax or any other tax against the Chinose. The ab- et of the rogulations was to improve, if pos sible, the condition of the labouring population, and to make their houses and surroundings more healthy sad comfortable than they are, and to protect the general community from any recur- reage of the bubnais plugn- or any luvasion of the colony by any epidemic whatever. The Go-
7333
Par 29 PRO/
617
vernment has taken up its position and it does not intend to abandon it I consider it would be weak and criminal to do so, and I am glad to hear from all sides that the mercantile commu. aity intends to support the Government in this matter thronch thick and thín, (Applause), No | doubt you will remember that in my despatch 151 of 20th June, which was laid on this table, I re- ferred to the inɛɛsaris to be taken in view of tho possible event of a recurrence of the plague t said these measures would be drastic. I said they might possibly lead to an increase in the rents, to an increase in the the cost of living, and perhaps · cause a general rise of wages. If these regula-: tions or this Ordiusove we propose to pass to-day will cause any increase in rents, doubtless su ap- { pleation from the labouring classes will be re- ceived for a general increase of wages. and I be- lieve that is a mat: which is very ersity ad- justed. But it is a matter purely between employers of labour and the labourers themselves. and does not interfere with or affect the regula- tions of the Government which is is intended to enforce. I feel quite sure that these people on strike will be the immediate sufferers in any case. Happily the Military and Civil authorities have. combined, and can put from 2.000 to 3,000 lab. oarers into the field; and it is within the means of merchants to telegraph to Swalow and Amoy for more labourers, who if they come here, will deprive the existing men of ali hope of employ- ment here in the future, I won't be very glad if h Dr. Ho Kai, who represents the Chinese, will take an opportunity of interviewing the respectable Chines morchants and endeavour to persuadə these taen to abundua the foolish and short- sighted policy which they have decided to adopt, rk them They may rely upon us Government treating them fairly, and they may also rely upon the fact that the Government, intends to carry into effect the sanitary in suros included in these regulations, and which have been approved by the txutive Conocil and the Legislative Coun- cil also. I will now ask the Acting Attorney General to introduce the Bill
THE NEW BILL PASSED.
The AcTING ATTOKSEY-GENERAL-In mov- ing the first reading of this Bilt I should like first: of all to very brudy review the circumstances under which it has become necessary to alter the law. The Public fenith Ordinance, amongsJuther provisions, aimed at stopping overcrowding, and by section 73 it simrd at stopping overcrowding especially in onamon kalging houses, and laid down that person should keep open a com- Dou lodging house auless the house is registered al the keeper thereof is hoensed by the Regis- trar-General," the keeper, ander the definition elase, Being any person licensed to keep open u lodging bouSA, By Ordinance 26 of 1890 that otion is amended, and power is given to the Switary Burl to make by-laws with regard to The licensing of common lodging houses. The by-laws were duly made, but the date of their coning into operation was postponed from timo to time, uuril, I think, the end of last year, when it was determind that the by-laws and The provisious wib regard to overcrowding of lodging houses, especially having regard to the advent of the plague, should come into force, and should be strictly put into force. Now, sir, the Captain Super.ntendent of Police under- took the duties or a portion of the daties of enforcing the registration, or enforcing the law against, "I should say, the keepers of thes houses whether hesused or not, and making them conform to the by-law's under the Ordinance. When he on to as ally attempt to prosecute the keepers, or those who kept open these houses, --because there is a definition between these two classes of persons-be found very great difli. culties in the way. The first diffioulty he found was that the keepers use the word keepers ander the definition clause--lhos, persons who kop open the house, had
away, and could all the chief
Dol be got al,
rua
wich
would
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