1862-04-21 — Page 1

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG.

No. 5 OF 1862.

TUESDAY, 21ST APRIL, 1862.

PRESENT:

His Excellency The GOVERNOR and all the Members, except Mr. Chomley.

The Council met to-day pursuant to postponement as ordered by the Governor, no Meeting having taken place on the 16th Instant.

The Minutes of the Council held on the 22nd March, were read and approved. The "Post Office" Bill was read a second time.

On going into Committee for the consideration of this Bill,

It was resolved, that a Special Committee be appointed to examine into the Clauses of the said Bill, and report thereon to the Council at its next meeting.

The Governor named the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, and Mr. Murray to be Members of such Committee.

Read a first time a Bill, entitled "An Ordinance for the establishment and regulation of "the Police Force of the Colony of Hongkong."

The Governor remarked that, in order to carry out the proposed reconstruction and increase of the Police Force, provision would have to be made for additional Barrack accommodation. It had been originally proposed to erect the following new Stations : -

One at Wanchai, estimated at,…................................................ $ 4,000 An additional Story to Caine Road Station,…………………... 3,000 One Reserved Central Station, exclusive of ground which

would have to be purchased,…………………………… 12,000 One Reserved Water Police Station,………………………….. 11,000 $ 30,000

The completion of the new Convict Gaol as per present Plans

would cost……………………………………………… 40,000 Forming a total of ………………. $ 70,000

These arrangements for various reasons would be very incomplete if carried out, inasmuch as the several Police Stations would be scattered over the City, and inconveniently situated for the proper management and distribution of the men. Further, no suitable site was available for the Central Reserve with a Drill Ground attached, and the new Convict Gaol would also soon be found insufficient for the growing wants of the Colony.

To rectify these deficiencies His Excellency now proposed to erect one

principal Central Police Station on the site of the present Convict Gaol at a cost of …………………………………………………………… $ 61,000 And to build a new Gaol, capable of extension, on

Stone Cutters' Island, or elsewhere, at a present probable cost

of ……………………………………………………………… 100,000 Total, ………………. $ 161,000

Towards this expenditure the sale of the present Central Station and of two Police Stations in the Central Market which could then be disposed of, might be estimated at $61,000, leaving the actual cost of the proposed plans $100,000, against $70,000, that of the original arrangements.

The difference of $30,000 being of little importance compared to the manifest advantages to be obtained, His Excellency said he had no hesitation in recommending the adoption of the amended scheme.

The Council concurred in these views and agreed to vote, when called upon, the funds necessary for giving effect to the alterations proposed by His Excellency.

Read a first time a Bill, entitled "An Ordinance for the payment of Pensions to the Civil Servants of the Government of Hongkong."

His Excellency then read the instructions from the Secretary of State under which this Bill had been framed;

And the Council adjourned to Saturday, the 3rd Proximo, at noon.

HERCULES G. R. ROBINSON,

Governor.

Read and approved, this 3rd Day of May, 1862.

L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,

Clerk of Councils.