1919-02-28 — Page 3

HONGKONG

LEGISLATIVE

COUNCIL.

FOUR NEW BILLS.

A meeting of the Legislative Council was held in the Council Chamber yestor day. There were prosent:-

H

THE HONGKONG DAILY · PRESS, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH, 1919.

Hon. Mr. HOLYOAK-Arising out of that nowwer, may I ask the Government to make representations to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that the censor- ship shall coase as soon as possible?

H.E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING TAK GOVERNMENT-Wo know from the public statements which have been made at Home by H.M.'s Ministers thut the censorship will not be continued longer than is con- sidered necessary. There are, no doubt, rensons, of which we H12 EXCELLENUY MAJOR GENERAL VENTRIS (General Officer Commanding which prevent the censorship being re moved immediately. It is not a matter Troops in China).

in which this Government can interfere,

EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINIS TERING THE GOVERNMENT, Hon. Mr. CLAGD SEVERN, C.M.G.

F.

Hos. Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Colonia)

Secretary),

Hon. Mr. 3. H. KEMP, K.C., CR.E. (Attorney-General).

Hon. Mr. E. R. HALLITAN. OB.E. (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

Hon Mr. C1 Mcl. Mesgen, O.B.E, (Colonial Treasurer).

Hoa Mr. W CHATHAM, (Director of Public Works).

C. M.G.

Hon. Mr. E. D. C. WOLFE (Captain Superintendent of Police).

Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K

Hon. Mr. D. LANDALS

Hon Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK

Hon. Mr. LAU CHU PAK.

Hoa. Mr. Ho Foos.

Hon. Mr. R. G. SHEWAN.

Mr. A. Dven BALL. (Clerk of Councils).

FINANCE.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H. E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table Finan cial Minutes Nos. 0 and 10 and moved that they be referred to the Finance Comu. witter.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, ande this was agreed to.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of HE the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the report of Finance Committer No. 1, and

poved that it be adopted.

The COLONIAL Tusastruer secondled, and this was carried.

JURORS LIST FOR 1910. The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the

this was carried.

are not nware,

Will the Government take steps to urge the Admiralty to include Hongkong in the tour of the Grand Fleet which, it has been announced, will be sent to Australia, New Zealand, and India!

A-An intimuntion has been received from the Admiralty to the effect that nothing has been arranged and there is little prospect of anything definite being settled for some time yet

Will the Government take steps to secure for Hongkong, as public war souvenirs, some of the guns captured from the Germans?

COLLISION.

2. The policy of this prohibition is THE RECENT HARBOUR adopted from section 2 of the Trading, with the Enemy (Amendment) Act, 1918, 8 and Geo, 5, o 31.

CORONER'S INQUIRY.

SANITARY LAUNCH COXSWAIN ABSCONDS.

3 The present Bill fixes the period of prohibition at five years, but a short

mending Ordinance could extend this At the Magistracy, yesterday, Mr. J

as Coroner, period hereafter if necesary. The Eng R. Wood, in his capacity lish Act makes the period indefinite, the held an inquiry into the circumstances FIL Chinese wording of section being "During the surrounding the death of period of five years immediately after woman, who was drowned us the result the termination of the present war and of a pollision between a sampan and a thereafter until Parliament otherwise Sanitary Department launch, on Fehru. determine " This wording emphasises ary 2nd. two points, ie, that the period is intend- ed to be a limited one, but that, on the other hand, it may extend beyond Ave years. If those two points are clearly! understood it does not seem necessary in

the present Bill to do more than provide for a preliminary period of five years.

4. Clause 7 of the Bill gives the Governor-in-Council power to make re- gulations governing in the widest manner, the procedure and principles to be follow ed in the liquidations contemplated by the Bill. It seems better to give an elastic power in this case, as it would be difficult to foresee and to provide for all points It is, however, to be which may arise. hoped that the prohibition of the Ordi nance will be sufficient to prevent any attempt to carry on any banking business in contravention of its provisions, and that, accordingly, the accessity for wind eensus and when does the Governmenting up rules will not arise, propose to take the next one i

4.The matter has been referred to the Serretary of State for the Colonies, who has replied that every endeavour will be made to allocate suitable War Trophica to Colonies as soon as any general distri- bution of Trophies is made.

Q. What was the date of the last

A. The last census was taken in 1911,

in the ordinary courac.

SUMMARY OFFENCES ORDINANCE, 1919. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first

and the next one will be taken in 1921, reading of a Bill, intituled an Ordinance to amend the Summary Offences Amend went Ordinance, 1918.

NON-FERROUS METAL INDUSTRY ORDINANCE,

1910,

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill, intituled an Ordinance to restrict temporarily the persons who may engage in business connected with certain non-ferrous metals and metallic

ores.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time.

Commander Beckwith, R.N., and with Mr. Wood as nautical assessor.

The following composed the jury:- Messrs. G. A. Carvalho, J. M, Reis, and Y. 'Abbas.

Mr. Wood stated that the coxswain of

the Sanitary Department launch and absconded since the collision. Altogether, four persons were drowned-a Chinese American mother and daughter; an named Otto Santat, belonging to tho steinship Sierra; and a foki,

Dr. J. T. Smalley, deposed that death was due to drowning.

Po. Griffin gave evidence of identifica- Lion.

The husband of the deceased woman stated that three Americans engaged his sampan, which was lying off Pottinger Street, to take them to the Sierra, which was lying off Yaumati. There were five persons on board before the Americana When about ten feet got into the boat. away from the wharf witness noticed a steam-launch coming towards them and shouted out to it. Before anything could ho done, however, a collision occurred, and witness was thrown over-board. II wife and daughter were drowned, but he was rescued by the people on the launch. The sampun was carrying a white light on the main-mast. His second daughter

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and took the light from the mast and raised

the Bill was read a first time.

TheObjects and Reasons" atate:~~~ 1. The object of this Bill is to repeal section 20 of the Bummary Offences Amendment Ordinance, 1918.

it up as a warning to the steam-launch, She also joined in shouting,

When ed

A scaman deposed that at 7 p.m. on bourd the February 2nd he was on Sanitary Board launch, which was towing three junks. When tho launch reached 9. That section makes contractors liable Salt Fish Land ong of the junks was

released. Tho

launch had two lights, red in the case of three classes of offences, ir- respective of the contractor's personal and Broen respectively, in the fore part. Fitness was assisting the coxswain to as they intended to go towards the participation in the offence. The role as shor for this extension of the principle of When they neared the buoy vicarious criminal responsibility wopposite Pottinger Street wharf, the given in paragraph 25 of the Objects and launch was turned round, and

the Reasons appended to the Summary Of for about a hundred yards.

sampan was sighted it was too late to avert a collision,

Mr. Wood: Why did you not see the sampan before-Witness: A canvas cloth on the front of the launch obstructed my view. Continuing, witness stated that it was the coxswain' who first sighted the sampan, and immediately slowed down, but it was too late. launch collided with the sampan, cap. sizing it and throwing the occupants into the water. Those of the launch managed

The Objects and Reasons" stale:-

The object of this Bill is to restrict temporarily the carrying on within the Calony of trade in certain non-ferrous melan and ores by or on behalf of persons jurors' list for 1919 nad moved that it

who are now or have been enemy subjects lences Amendment Bill, 1918, and it was be considered in private inter.

The Bill makes it an offence to carry on thought at that time that the section by the consideration Hon. Mr. H. E. Pollock seconded, and any trade in the non-ferrous metale and might be justified

ady to which the: Bill applies except under that the contractor could, in most cases, by a licence from the Governor-in-Council. taking proper precautions, prevent the 3. The intention is that, unless for very commission of such offences. It has, how éxceptional reasons, no licence shall be ever, been pointed out that the section in. granted to any prohibited person or to poses liability on the contractor for the any corporation under prohibited control, acts of persons other than his servants, and that it imposes liability upon him Put shortly, a prohibited person mesus

who is now or has been an for the wilful and not only for the negli person enemy subject and

Commander Even apart from these objections preliled control moan, a corporation uses. which is under the control of prohibited it is now considered that the general policy of the section is not justified and That the Government be asked to persons

a. If any question arises between the it is, therefore, proposed that the section appoint a Commission to enquire inte the Housing Problem and transit ques Governor-in-Council and any corporate should be repealed.

body, firm or individual as to whether" tions in connection with the same and submitted to the Government in a the prohibitions of the Bill apply the envering letter from the Constitutional question is to he referred by the Governor- Beform Association on the 8th November,in-Conncil to the Supreme Court. to which the Government replied on the 15th November that

QUESTIONS BY THE HUN. MR. P. H. HOLYOAK Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK asked the following questions, the answer, in each case, being read by the Colonial Secretary. With reference to the following Resolution unanimously passed at a crowded public meeting in the Theatre Royal on the 7th November last:-

The Resolution quoted therein will be laid before H.E, the Governor on his return to the Colony,"

in view of the resignation of H.E. Sir Henry May will the Government state what measures it now proposes to take to give prompt effect to the wishes of the Colony?

4.What is referred to in the question as the Housing Problem has several dif- ferent aspects. Certain measures requir

bow of

corporation under gen nots of other persons in certain to rescue five backwith: When you were i

4. Where a company registered under

coming up the southern fairway at what speed were you going!-Witness: First, at full speed, and then at half speed. There was no one looking out from the fore part of the Jayach, nor was there The coxswain anybody on the bridge.

wah steering by the lights and keeping a look out. The launch passed very cleve to the bucg, and while going round the buoy two blasts were blown. "Witness did Tho not see any light on the sampan, launch carried two sailors wid a coxs

UNION INSURANCE BODITY OF CANTON, LTD. (CAPITAL CONVERSION) ORDINANUR, 1919. Hon. Mr. P. H. HOLYOAK moved the first reading of a Bill, intituled an the Hongkong Ordinances issues ebare Ordinance to authorise the Union Insur warrants to bearer no licence will be ance Society of Canton, Limited, to con granted to the company until sach bearer vert its silver capital into gold, ahares have been called in and the owners

Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK seconded, and engineer of the launch deposed that the boat had been proceeding at half- have been registered. Power is given to the Bill was read a first time.

speed for about ârè minutes. When the auch companies to take the necessary

bell was rung ho turned the launch steps to call in such bearer shares.

astern.

The Objects and Reasons" state:→ The object of this Bill is to enable the 5. Power is also given to companies registered under the Hongkong Ordi- Union Insurance Society of Canton, nances to call for declarations from their Limited, to convert its capital from silver sharebulders and debenture holders on into gold by a special resolution to that

ważn

The

Another witness stated that no light was tied to the mast of the sampls. Witness was holding a light of the Bat

Inspector Gordon stated that a junk

the subject of the beneficial ownership of effect to be passed by the shareholdera. pán as a warning to other boats.

ed immediate action, which has been the shares and debentures and a to the The directors consider this desirable be- should have a whito light on the mast

nationality of the beneficial owners.

cause the great bulk of the Company's

o Pawer is given to the Governor-in-business is enrried out in countries where only one white light was sufficient.

to

a gold currency prevails,

takon after consultation with the Unoff

Other cial. Members of this Council. measures are in preparation for the con- Council to require the information noces

The fact that the Company does not of honourable members at an sideration

BAZY enable the Governor-in-Council early date, and it is unlikely that to decide whether any corporation firin or carry on any life insurance business seems Commission will be necessary in order to individual trading in the mactals and ores to make it unnecessary to provide for any carry then: into effect; and the Praya to which the Bill relates is under prospecial notice to policy holdora East reclamation scheme will, it is hoped, hibited control or is a prohibited person. bo proceeded with during this year. In 7. The metals and ores to which the Bill view of their exceptional argeney and

importance, the matters in question are applies are zinc, copper, tin, and lead. boing pushed on as fast as possible but and any other non-ferrous metals and

FINANCE COMMITTEE, Council then adjourned and a meeting

it is not proposed, in the absence of a ores to which the Ordinance may be of the Finance Committoo was held, the Governor, to take any steps as regards applied by order of the Governor-in-Colonial Secretary presiding.

the appointment of a Commission.

Q. With reference to the following telegrams despatched by Reater's Ageul to Reuter's head office in London on the 8th November :---

'.

Council,

BEARONING BREDE,

B. It is proposed to make regulations

The Officer Administering the Govern under the Ordinance excluding from the operation of the Ordinance dealings by mont recommended the Council to voto way of wholesale trade in quantities eum of Efteen thousand dollars in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Miscellaneous, (24) Mincol laneous Works.

Large Public Meeting resolved below certain limite. In any case, the unanimously that Germans deported Ordinance will not apply to the purchase from the Colony to Australia should, at or sale of the above metala where such the conclusion of the War, not be per purchase or sale is only incidental to the mitted to return to Hongkong or China trade carried on by the purchaser or but be repatriated to Germany, The seller. Meeting ronfirmed the unaltered con- 9. The Ordinance is to continua in force viction that no German subject be allow. only during the continuance of the pre- to reside in the Colony or trade here sent war and for a period of five years. for a period of years.

after the termination thereof.

10. The Bill is founded on the United

on the 9th January-

The CHAIRMAN This is a re-voto of money voted last year for providing suitable searching sheda on private piers Fourteen sheds have been provided.

The vote was agreed to.

"At & publie meeting, it was un-Kingdom Non-Ferrous Metal Industry mon; recommended the Council to vote?

LANGUAGH - STUDY......... The Officer Administering the Govern a sum of six-hundred dollars in aid of the vote Miscellaneous Services, Language Study Allowances,

and one astern. If there was no mast

Mr. Wood, addressing the jury, said that Commander Beckwith bad informed him that there was nothing in the evi- donos which pointed to negligent naviga

tion on the part of the coxswain of the launch. The evidence showed that at the time of the collision the sampan collided with had no proper light. It looked as if there was no regulation light on the

were to blame, span, and for that the occupants of it

The jury retired and brought in verdict of "Dath by misadventure."

THEFT OF BRASS.

д

At the Magistracy, yesterday, bofore Mr. J. B. Wood, a Chinese was charged with atoaling some brass belonging to the Hongkong Electric Co.

An Indian watchman was scarching the workmen as they left the gates of the workshop, and found some brass, hiddon in a bag which was tied under defendants arm-pita. It was stated that these thefts wore of frequent occurrence,

Mr. Wood sentenced dofondant to threć months hard labour and five hourn

stocks. RANKING BEBINESS. (PROHIBITED Control)

animously resolved to talegraph the Act, 1018. Bocretary of Stats for the Colenio asking for reform in the Constitution

of the Legislative Council to secure the

incrone from 0 to D of unofficial mem-

ORDINANOS, 1919,

The Attorney-GENERAL moved the Brst

bora, thus giving a majority of the un-reading of a Bill, intituled an Ordinance

official."

to prohibit the carrying on of banking

The CHAIRMAN This is to provida two Chinese, teachers for the members of the Police Force and the Banitary Inspectors who now attend a close for loafning

THEFT FROM A STEAMER.

A

Will the Government state whether these business for the benout of or under the Chinose. They bad previously to make Mr.

wore suppressed or not by the control of certain pero conded, and This is a regular class which meets twish We charged with stonding a

telegrams Cable Censor, under instruction from the Government, and, if so, why!

4.The telegramme were not stopped or

'with in any way,

The COLONIAL SECRETARY

the Bill was rend a firsh' timo,

The "Objects and Bensonie state:-

"1

1. The object of this Bill is to probibit,

their own arrangements for teashara.

weekly.

Tho voto was agreed to,

COUNCIL RERUMIENI

18 Magistracy, yesterday,

"before K. Lindsell, a Chinese coal coolle a quantity of rupo from the aitan.

Complainant stated that defondant who cains to unload pool, was notlond lanving the ship with the rope. He was arrested Defendant stated that he found some to put it on the upper dock. tops lying on the lower deck and wanted

the Government stain when the for a corbain period after the termin Connell then rosumed and the Colonfar and handed over to the Polico

tion of the proeant war, the carrying on

consorship of commercial, private and Press telegrams likely to canad

4-The matter is one for dealsion by the Imperial Authorities and the Gov.

Council considered the Jurors' List for) ernment is unable to give the informa tion dofrod.

of banking business In the Colony for Booretary reported that Finance minutos Nos. 9 and 10 had been passed by the Finance Committee,

the benefit of or or under the control of parsons who are or have been subjects of any Binto which way at war witis His Majesty on the 31st December, 1018.

1910 and then adjourned sine dië...”

Mr. Landsel monteriood defeudans to four weeks hard labour,

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Pathe News No. 26.

THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO

FINAL EPOCH:

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