643600-1895-Legislative-Council-Minutes-No-12 — Page 4

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1216

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH DECEMBER, 1895.

praying for reform in the constitution of the local Government, and for the rights and privileges common to the British people in the smallest parish in England or Scotland of settling their local municipal affairs in their own way and to their own mind; as well as copies of all communications on the subject of the appointment of two Unofficial Members to the Executive Council, and two additional Unofficial Members to the Legislative Council?

(2)

With reference to the numerously signed petition to your Excellency, from Peak residents, house owners, and other ratepayers, praying for the construction, with all reasonable speed, of a new road in lieu of the present steep and unsuitable one--really the original mountain path, widened and improved to meet the requirements of a traffic ever on the increase, and which has outgrown the road's capacities-leading from Victoria Gap, passing on the south of "Treverbyn” and “Stolzenfels," on a comparatively easy gradient, and terminating near the Peak Club or Mount Kellet-will the Government inform the Council whether it is proposed to proceed with this very necessary public work, good road communication being very necessary and earnestly desired by the large resident community; state the probable cost of the road, and if the work is not to be undertaken at present, what are the reasons which delay its being carried out?

(3)

With reference to the Colonial Secretary's letter No. 1187 of 27th June, 1892, to the Registrar General, forwarding a precis of correspondence re Home for Girls, the following paragraphs appear in the latter:

"Five Chinese houses were accordingly erected near St. Stephen's Church in accordance with plans which the Pó Léung Kuk Committee had seen, and which, it was understood, they approved................

"The cost of building these houses was $8,000; the land on which they stand was

valued at about $12,000.

"There seems to have been some misunderstanding with regard to the rents to be derived from the lower floors, the Pó Leung Kuk Committee thinking that they were to go towards the maintenance of the Home, while the Government decided that they were to be paid into the Treasury.

"When the buildings had been completed the Pó Léung Kuk objected to move into them

because they considered them unsuitable, etc........?

and in the report to the Colonial Secretary dated 1st February, 1892, on a petition from the Pó Leung Kuk, the Registrar General says---

“I understand that it is the intention of the Government to sell the five houses, the top floors of which were intended for a Home. Their value, together with that of the ground on which they stand, has been estimated by the Surveyor General at $21,000."

upon

Will the Government inform the Council whether these houses, erected at the public expense, were built inland lot No. 1,129; if so, have they been sold by private contract, the name of the buyer, and at what price? In connection with the sale, if there has been one, will the Government lay upon the table a copy of the correspondence which has passed between the Government and the Colonial Office on the subject?

(4)

Will the Government lay upon the table a statement of the number of convictions, the amount of

fines imposed and paid, in respect of offences against Ordinance No. 13 of 1895, from the "date it came into force until the end of last week, and a copy of the correspondence which has passed between the home authorities and the Colonial Government in connection with the Bill, and also inform the Council whether it has yet received the sanction of the Imperial Government, and if not, state the cause of delay?

(5)

Will the Government lay upon the table a copy of the reports or letters to the Government from the sub-Committee appointed by the General Committee elected at the public meeting held at the City Hall on 27th September, 1894, to consider and report upon the question of recognition of services rendered during the suppression of the plague last year, and a copy of all the correspondenes which has passed between the Government and the home authorities in connection therewith.