VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 1 OF 1875.
TUESDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY, 1875.
PRESENT:
The Honorable the Chief Justice (SIR JOHN SMALE).
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary (JOHN GARDINER AUSTIN). The Honorable the Attorney General (JOHN BRAMSTON).
The Honorable the Colonial Treasurer (CECIL CLEMENTI SMITH). The Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE.
The Honorable WILLIAM HASTINGS ALEXANDER.
The Honorable JAMES WHITTALL.
The Honorable HENRY LOWCOCK.
ABSENT:
His Excellency Governor SIR ARTHUR EDWARD KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B.
The Council meets this day at 2.30 P.M., by Special Summons.
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary announces that His Excellency the Governor is unable to attend.
The Honorable the Chief Justice takes the chair.
The Minutes of the Council held on the 16th November, 1874, are read and confirmed.
The Honorable the President refers to the death of L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Esq., its sad circumstances, and his long service, both under the Superintendency of Trade, which was formerly vested in the Governor of Hongkong, and as Clerk of Councils.
The Honorable Speaker dwells at length on Mr. D'ALMADA's high qualifications, zeal, discretion, and conduct of business, and moves as follows;─"That this Council greatly regrets the death of LEONARDO D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Esquire, the oldest public Servant in this Colony, who having in 1836 entered the service of the Crown in the Office of the Superintendency of British Trade in China, was, since May, 1847, Clerk of the Councils and First Clerk in the Office of the Colonial Secretary. This Council cordially records its high estimate of his public services in these important Offices, the duties of which he has discharged faithfully and with great ability, assiduity and discretion; and, expressing its appreciation of the private worth of the deceased, it offers its condolence to his Widow and family.
The Honorable JAMES WHITTALL, seconds the motion, and supports the statements of the Chief Justice as to Mr. D'ALMADA's official worth and exemplary character.
The motion is put and carried unanimously.
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary expresses his complete concurrence in all that has been said about the late Mr. D'ALMADA, whom he describes as a man of
pleasant, quiet, gentlemanly manners, at all times willing to impart any information sought from him, diligent and accurate in the discharge of his duties, and taking a lively interest in them; having a retentive memory and being in consequence a very dictionary of public events, transactions, and correspondence received during an official career of 38 years. He also explains that in 1842, on the cession of this Island, a Superannuation Fund was formed, to which Mr. D'ALMADA had subscribed $3,260, and in the struggle to do so had deprived his family of the means of living, without deriving the smallest benefit from the Fund. In another Colony, under similar circumstances the proceeds of the Fund had been set aside as a provision for the Widows and Children of Officers, and considering the destitute condition of the Widow and Daughter of Mr. D'ALMADA, the Honorable the Colonial Secretary considers that a monthly provision from the Colonial Revenue should be made for them. Their unfortunate position has not arisen from improvidence on the part of the late Mr. D'ALMADA, but from his investments having turned out badly. The Honorable Speaker therefore moves:─"That in consideration of the fidelity, zeal, and efficiency with which the late Mr. D'ALMADA E CASTRO performed the duties of his appointments under this Government during a period of more than 30 years, a Pension at the rate of $150 per month be granted to his Widow and Daughter during their natural lives, $100 thereof being payable to Mrs. D'ALMADA and $50 to her Daughter."
The Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE seconds the motion, corroborating the statements of previous Speakers as to Mr. D'ALMADA's estimable character both public and private.
The motion is put and carried unanimously.
Read a first time a Bill, To render personation with intent to deprive any person of any property felony.
Read a first time a Bill, To provide means for enforcing good order and discipline in the Police Force employed in the Royal Naval Yard.
The Honorable the Attorney General briefly explains the objects of and reasons for the Bill.
Read a first time a Bill, For the better protection of Chinese Women and Children, and for the repression of certain abuses in relation to Chinese Emigration.
The Honorable the Attorney General explains wherein the Ordinance No. 6 of 1873 is defective, and the extent of the amendment which the Bill effects.
The Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE then asks the following questions according to notice:─
1. Whether any reply or communication has been received from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies regarding a letter addressed to the Executive by a large number of the community complaining of the conduct of the Captain Superintendent of Police during the Typhoon of last September?
2. Whether any reply has been received from Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State to the Honorable Member's protest against His Excellency the Governor's answer to his complaint, that the Fire Brigade was not summoned or turned out on the occasion above referred to?
3. If replies or communications have been received, how are they worded?
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary states in reply, that he is to inform the Honorable Member that no instructions have been received to make any communication to him on the subject.
The Honorable Mr. RYRIE objects that his questions have not been answered.
A conversation ensues, in the course of which the Honorable the Colonial Secretary states that no despatch or communication on the subject of the Honorable Member's questions has been received.
The Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE states that he is satisfied.
The Council Chamber is cleared and the Council takes into consideration the draft Jury List for the year commencing March 1st, 1875, which being revised, amended, and the Special Jurors designated, is adopted.
The President adjourns the Council at 4.40 P.M. sine die.
J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
Administrator.
Read and confirmed, this 11th Day of March, 1875.
ALFRED LISTER,
Clerk of Councils.
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