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HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
of
one
clause 11 of the new Order-in-Council, 1913 it is provided inter alia that a law exacted by the legislature of any part of His Majesty's Dominions outside the British Islands shale deemed to give effect to the regulations contained in the Order or to unrepented oruture Orders-in-Council under the Foreign Marriage Act if it makes provision for the execution certain formalities. These formalities with exception are already provided for by our Foreign Marriage Ordinance, 1903. This exception is that in the Order-in-Council of 1913 the duration of the period of abode immediately preceding the notice marriage intended to be solemnized under the Foreign Marriage Act which must be given by one of the parties intending such marriage is fixed at one week instead of, as formerly, at three weeks.
2
Section 2 of the local Foreign Marriage Ordinance, 1903, fixes such period at three weeks, which, as stated above, was the period prescribed under the Orders-in-Council repealed by the new Foreign Marriages Order-in-Conneil, 1918, and this Bill is now introduced in order to make the necessary alteration.
Electricity Supply Amendment Ordinance
THE
ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, “An Ordinance to amend the Electricity Supply Ordinance, 1911.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the Bill was read a first time.
The objects and reasons attached to the Bili state:-
By Section 3 of the Electricity Supply Ordinance, 1911, certain regulations for securing the safety of the public which are contained in the Schedule to the finance were declared applicable to ap Company supplying electricity within the Colony, but the application of these regulations was by a proviso restricted in a manner which experience had shown to be not altogether satisfactory.
Tuder the ol Ordinance the regulations were not to apply to any electric line of works laid down or erected by any person or body of persons for the supply of electri- city generated upon any premises occupied by such person or body to any other part such premises, Whilst the majority of
Electric Installations to which this exempt- ing proviso is applicable is no doubt free From danger it has been found that there do exist cases in which private installations apparently of faulty character are situated in the centre of or adjacent to other premises to which they constitute a constant danger. In order to avoid this serious state of Affairs, the present Bill has been introduced providing that the regulations for securing the safety of the public contained in the Schedule to the Ordinance shail bare effect generally and that any exemption from the provisions of the section must be of specific character subject to the express permission of the Governor-in-Council.
Any installation of self-contained character which does not shadow with danger other premes will under sub-section (3), giving power the Governor-in-Council to grant exemption from the general provisions of the section, be able to obtain freedom from the application of the regulations in question.
It would seem ear that from a public point of view and for the safety of the public the modification of Secting 3 of the Electri- city Supply Ordinance. 19%, which pro- posed under the present Bill is matter of great desirability.
The Cremation Ordinancè THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to provide for the regu- lation of the burning of human remains to enable fematoria to be established." In doing so he said-Sir, In moving the second reading of this Bill it is, I think, unnecessary that I should say much. The objects and reasons for the Bill are set out very fully in the printed form which is before the members. There is no doubt, Sir, that the practice of cremation is on community, Amongst some of the Indian the increase amongst all sections of the sects, notably the Sikhs, I believe it is. on religious grounds, incumbent upon them to deal with their dead in this fashion. Amongst the Japanese also it is an extremely common practice. while
amongst the general members of the com- munity it is also a practice which seems to be growing. At the present time. Sir, I believe that the community of the Sikhs disposes of its dead by burning on a plot of ground at the back of the Sikh Temple, The Japanese also, I believe, have, or are about to have, a small crematorium near their burial ground. Now, Sir, it might be
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
thought that it is unnecessary to provide an Ordinance of this nature, as under the present existing law the Sanitary Board have already powers under the Publie Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903. It is true, Sir, that the Sanitary Board under that Ordinance had certain powers, but the Government game to the conclu- sion, on considering the provisions of sub- section 39 of section 18, that the powers which were there given were not sufficient to cover the arrangements and details for making crematoria, and it was accord- ingly decided to introduce an Ordinance. I may say, Sir, for the information of members that this Bill is founded on the English Crematorium Act, which, like it, is very short, and it necessarily places the details of arrangements under the Bill in the hands of the Burial Authority. With those few words I beg to move the second reading of the Bill.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second- ed, and the Bill was read a second time.
Council then resolved itself into a Com- mittee of the whole Council to consider the Bill clause by clause.
On resuming,
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Com- mittee without amendment, and moved that it be read a third time.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY second. ed, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.
Chinese Emigration Ordinance
—
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL With regard to the next item on the agenda, Sir, the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Law relating to Chinese Passenger Ships," owing to the introduction certain amendments of some importance it has been decided not to proceed with this Bill to-day, but to let it stand over temporarily.
The Dentistry Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERA- With regard to the Dentistry Bill, Sirit has also been decided, owing to the introduc tion of important amendments, that this should also not be proceeded with to-day
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Retirement of Sir Kai Ho Kai
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HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen.--It is with much regret that I have to announce to you that owing to indifferent health the senior unofficial
member, whose fourth term of appointment as a member of this Council expires on the 28th inst., has been compelled to intimate to me that he would not be prepared to accept an invitation to continue his services upon the Council. Sir Kai Ho Kai waż originally appointed to this Council on the 1st of March, 1890, and has served continuously since that date. He is therefore about to complete a period of 24 years' service, which is the longest term for which any other member, except the late Mr. Phineas Ryrie, who served for 24 years, has occupied a seat on this Council. During that exceptionally long period Sir Ka Ho Kai has rendered extremely efficient service not only as a representative of the Chinese community, but as an independent member of the Council. Gifted with a thorough know- ledge of the feelings of his fellow country- inen, with a clear intellect, sound judg men* and fluent command of the English language, he has always been of the greatest assistance in the deliberations and debates held in this Chamber. More- over, he has earned our admiration for the ungrudging manner in which, both inside and outside this Council, he has devoted his intellect and his energies to the advancement of the best interests of the Chinese community and for the good of the Colony as a whole.
(Applause.) The 24 years during which he has served have been busy ones. During them the popula tion and the trade of the Colony have increased enormously; its boundaries have been enlarged, pestilence has necessitated stringent legislation to preserve the public health, unrest and disturbances in China have rendered necessary strong public peace, and education has claimed measures for the preservation of the special attention.
Sir Kai Ho Kai's services in dealing with the various measures rendered necessary by these circumstances have been twice rewar led by His Majesty's Government, and it remains for us to record our appreciation of his services and our thanks for hir assistance. (Applause.) For myself, having been associated with Sir Kai almost continuously on this Council since 1895, I regret very much that he is now
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