656
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 12TH NOVEMBER, 1879.
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE, 1878.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY proposed the first reading of a Bill to appropriate $70.000 to defray the supplementary charges for 1878.
NAVAL YARD POLICE FORCE AMENDMENT BILL.
This Bill passed through Committee, and was passed.
SURVEY OF STEAMSHIPS AND BOILERS BILL, AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING CONSOLIDATION BILL.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL said that with reference to the first of these Bills difficulties had occurred, and when it was before the Committee it was thought advisable to refer the matter to Her Majesty's Government. On the 18th October His Excellency received a despatch from Sir MICHAEL HICKS- BEACH stating that the points which had been referred to him had been considered and were thought proper by the Board of Trade to be introduced into the Bill, namely, the placing of foreign steamers carrying passengers from Hongkong in the very same position as British ships, so that there would be no unfairness. The matter had been referred to the Board of Trade, and they had reported to Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH that the Council would be at liberty to apply the provisions of the Bill to foreign steamers provided they recognised the certificates of survey and certificates of masters and mates from the vessel's country which were of equivalent value to British certificates. With reference to the Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance, carrying out His Excellency's instructions in reference to it, he had been able to proceed with the Bill, which had been before the Council since 1874, and which incorporated the Survey Bill. He thought it would save time if they read that Bill a second. time, instead of going into Committee on the smaller measure. Owing to Mr. PHILLIPPO's illness the report of the Select Committee had never been drawn up, but Mr. WODEHOUSE had taken very copious The notes, and he (the Attorney General) had been able to give effect to most of the discussions. consideration of it, however, would take considerable time, and he proposed that the Bill be now read a second time and its consideration in committee be adjourned until some day next week, or whenever it might be convenient to His Excellency and Honourable members. He thought the Bill embraced all the amendments in the Merchant Shipping Act to date and would be found a very useful measure. It embraced also the River Steamer Ordinance which had been brought in by His Excellency. The present system was a tonnage measurement, the allowance of passengers being three to every two tons net. The present Bill left it entirely in the hands of the Governor in Council to decide in every case what number of passengers a ship might carry, and in that the Governor would be guided by the surveyor. He thought this would really meet the want felt by some of the agents and owners of the river steamships, and if this Bill passed the old Ordinance would be repealed, but until that time the old Ordinance was, of course, still in full force. He thought with a little energy they might get through the Bill by the end of the year.
Honourable W. KESWICK thought it would be convenient if the debate on the second reading were postponed until the next meeting in order that members might make themselves acquainted with the contents of the volumnious Ordinance.
His EXCELLENCY said he was perfectly ready to postpone the second reading until some day early next week but he hoped, they would get through the Ordinance without any unreasonable delay. It had been fully considered by the members of the Legislative Council present, with the exception of the Chief Justice and himself, as the Attorney General had pointed out. The point he laid before. Her Majesty's Government at the suggestion of the Council was one of great importance. They were aware the late Attorney General, Mr. PHILLIPPO, and others expressed the opinion that it would be hardly possible to bring foreign ships under the survey as British ships were. Well, he told the Council he thought it very hard that in this Colony, or any other Colony, British shipowners should be at a disadvantage as compared with German or American or any other foreign shipowners. He therefore represented that to Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, and he was glad to say the Secretary of State, after consulting with the Board of Trade, had consented to the proposed alteration. He thought the British shipowners here were much indebted to Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, and Her Majesty's Government for the important decision arrived at.
The debate on the second reading was then adjourned.
His EXCELLENCY said he would like the Council to meet, if possible, on Tuesday.
CHINESE EMIGRATION AMENDMENT ORDINANCE.
This Bill, which merely makes certain technical amendments in the existing acts, was read a first time.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.