HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
cept them, but I do not think that the General Officer Commanding has
has ever been in a position to definitely close any bargain without the approval of the War Office. With regard to the question of the areas reserved by the War Office and the difficulty of access to the rear of the Military lands, of course, we here will endeavour, as far as possible, in the lay- out of these lands, to meet the wishes of the Colony as to roads, and access, and so on. We always wish to carry on with the utmost goodwill with the authorities of the Colony and I hope that will always be so in the future. We cannot get on here without the goodwill of the Colony. In regard to the clause in Sir John Oak- ley's award that says that lots may be withdrawn, if the War Office so desires, I think the War Office are simply safe- guarding themselves. It has always been a condition in all these negotiations that the War Office would not complete the bargain until the actual time came, be- cause it is so hard to look into the future. I am sure they will endeavour, as far as possible, to carry out their part of the bargain. With regard to new provision, I think His Excellency has fully dealt with it. As to the reserved area I re- ferred to just now-the Detention Bar- racks, Headquarter House and grounds, and the married quarters-I believe the idea is that the road shall be carried in at the northern end of the Detention Barracks and that the widening of Gar- den Road should be extended,-I can only say that in the lay-out of these parts we will endeavour to meet these wishes, Sir. (Applause.)
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H.E. THE GOVERNOR-If I may be per- mitted to say one word more, I cannot allow what the hon. and gallant member has said to pass without remark because it may possibly be of importance in furture. I contend that there can be no question on reading the Circular Dispatch that the words Military Authorities and Colonial Authorities mean the local Military Auth- orities and the local Colonial Authorities, and I do not think that the action of the War Office has been in accordance with the Circular Despatches. But, as I have said before, we are in their hands because they are at liberty to say "We accept your interpretation of the Circular but we do not propose to move." I merely put this in as a caveat in case any question should arise again in future.
The motion was then agreed to.
Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Ordinance
THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill to amend further the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank Ordinance 1866.
THE COLONIAL TREASURER second- ed, and the motion was agreed to.
Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause and on the Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed
The Council then resolved itself into
into law.
The Adjournment H.E. THE GOVERNOR-The Council will adjourn sine die.
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