1877-03-02 — Page 1

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 2 OF 1877

FRIDAY, 2ND MARCH, 1877.

PRESENT:

His Excellency the Administrator (JOHN GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G.). The Honourable the Chief Justice (SIR JOHN SMALE).

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary (HENRY ERNEST WODEHOUE). The Honourable the Attorney General (GEORGE PHILLIPPO).

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Treasurer (CHARLES MAY).

The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE.

The Honourable HENRY LOWCOCK.

The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK.

The Honourable JOHN MACNEILE PRICE.

The Council meets this day at 2.30 P.M., by Special Summons.

Before commencing proceedings, His Honour the Chief Justice administers the Oath to the Honourable J. GARDINER AUSTIN, C.M.G., upon his assumption of the Government.

His Excellency the Administrator then administers the Official Oath to the Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, H. E.WODEHOUSE.

The Minutes of the last Meeting of Council held on 26th February, 1877, are read and confirmed.

His Honour the Chief Justice begs permission to inform Honourable Members of Council, that the Deputation which it had at the last Meeting of Council been arranged should wait upon Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY, for the purpose of presenting him with a Copy of the Resolution which had been passed, had waited on His Excellency accordingly on the afternoon of the 27th February, and that Sir ARTHUR KENNEDY in accepting a Copy of the Resolution, had expressed himself highly gratified at the honour which had been paid him.

His Excellency the Administrator then moves for a vote of $200,000 to be taken from the Special Fund, for the purpose of reconstructing the Praya Wall, and explains that this course has been sanctioned by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the money being regarded as a loan to be paid back by a sinking fund of 4 per cent per annum chargeable upon the general Revenue of the Colony.

This vote having been already approved by Honourable Members, by whom it had been previously considered, is passed pro forma, and, at the instance of His Excellency the Administrator, it is resolved that a sum of $50,000 be appropriated forthwith from the Special Fund for the reconstruction in question.

The Acting Colonial Secretary informs Honourable Members, that at a Meeting of the Finance Committee held on the 8th January, 1877, the following votes were

taken :—

PAYMENTS AUTHORISED IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES OF 1876, REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.

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Registrar General's Establishment.

Increase of Salary to 1st Clerk, to act as Deputy Registrar of Marriages, £50 per annum, and Personal Allowance, £50 per annum , from 1st March, 1876,……………………………………………………………. $ 360.00

Educational Establishment.

Additional Temporary Salary to the Acting 4th Master, from 9th August, at $40 per month,……………………………………………………….. $ 149.68

Gaol Establishment.

Salary to Clerk, from 22nd July, at $50 per month,………………..……… $ 216.13

Fire Brigade Establishment.

Engine House at Aberdeen,………………………………………………… $ 286.02

Charitable Allowances.

Cost of 150 Grey Blankets supplied to Charitable Institutions,…………… $ 213.76 Works and Buildings.

Rain Storm Damages of July, 1876, ………………………………………. $ 5,438.00 Erection of Tsim-tsa-sui Wharf, ………………………………..……….… 400.00 New Central School. Difference between the amount for the Site,

($52,249.16), and the amount in Colonial Estimates, 1876, ($25,000),……………………………………………………………… 27,249.16 $ 33,087.16

Roads, Streets, and Bridges.

Repairs to Praya Wall, …………………………………………………..... $ 2,000.00 Roads in Yau-ma Ti and Belcher's Bay, ………………………………...... 6,000.00 $ 8,000.00

Miscellaneous Services.

Grant to Mrs. L. D' ALMADA E CASTRO, being difference between the amount paid by her husband for Superannuation Fund, and the amount of £400 already granted to her,……………………………………….... $ 1,342.26

Gratuity to the Widow of the late Mr. THOMAS O'BRIEN, Inspector of Nuisances,……………………………………………………………… 180.00 Gratuity to the Widow of the late Mr. J. M. BARRADAS, Marine Sorter,…………………………………………………………………… 360.00 $ 1,882.26

PAYMENTS AUTHORISED IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES OF 1877, REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.

—————

Colonial Secretary's Establishment.

Increase of Salary to 2nd Clerk,………………………………………….… $ 240.00

Surveyor General's Establishment.

Personal Allowance to Mr, PRICE,…………………………………………. $ 960.00 Educational Establishment.

Additional Temporary Salary to the Acting 4th Master, (1

months),...……………………………………………………………… $ 60.00

Gaol Establishment.

Salary to Clerk, $50 per month, …………………………………………... $ 600.00

Miscellaneous Services.

Gratuity to the Children of the late Mr. DOUGLAS, Superintendent of the Gaol,…...…………………………………………..…………………… $ 1,920.00 Gratuity to the Widow of the late Mr. ALEXANDER, Registrar, Supreme Court,….………………………………………………………………… 1,920.00 $ 3,840.00

His Excellency the Administrator adjourns the Council sine die at 3.30 P.M.

J. POPE HENNESSY,

Lieut.-Governor.

Read and confirmed, this 23rd day of April, 1877.

H. E. WODEHOUSE,

Clerk of Councils.