304034-1941-Minutes-No-8 — Page 3

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THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MAY 30, 1941.

QUESTIONS.

5. The Honourable Mr. Lo MAN-KAM, pursuant to notice, asked the following

questions:-

Arising from the replies of the Honourable the Director of Public Works to my questions at the Legislative Council Meeting held on the 8th May, 1941, relating to the recent demolition of matsheds at Tai Hang, will Government state in what way the destruction of such huts was con- sidered by Government to be necessary as an emergency matter under regulations made under the Emergency Regulations Ordinance, 1922? In particular will Government state :-

(1) Was the destruction ordered as a matter of defence?

(2) If so, were the Military Authorities consulted and was the action taken with their knowledge and approval and, if not, why not?

(3) Why did Government not avail itself of the non-emergency laws of the Colony by obtaining magisterial orders for the removal of encroachments on Crown Land instead of resorting to emergency laws in this case ?

The Director of Public Works replied as follows :

1. No. Action was not taken under Defence Regulations. As indicated in the replies given on 8th May, action was taken under Regulation 37 of the Emergency Regulations under Ordinance No. 5 of 1922, published in the Gazette of the 25th November, 1938.

2. No. Action taken was on the grounds of Public Health.

3. It has been found that procedure under the Summary Offences Ordinance, 1932, is too cumbersome to cope with the increasing number of squatters on Crown Land. In this case, the vast majority of the encroachments consisted of unnumbered matsheds upon which summons could not be served and to obtain a magisterial order it would have been necessary with the co-operation of the Police to arrest and charge the occupants. The present Emergency Regulations obviated such action and enabled the area to be cleared more expeditiously.

MOTIONS.

6. The Financial Secretary addressed the Council and moved the following

resolution :-

RESOLVED pursuant to the proviso to section 3 of the Note-issuing Banks Extension of Powers Ordinance, 1939, that this Legislative Council hereby extends the powers of all the note-issuing banks to make, issue, re-issue and circulate notes until and including the 12th day of July, 1942.

The Attorney General seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

7. Prevention of Eviction Amendment Bill. The Attorney General addressed the Council and moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Prevention of Eviction Consolidation and Amendment Ordinance, 1939."

The Financial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.