1884-03-05 — Page 1

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 3.

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WEDNESDAY, 5TH MARCH, 1884.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(SIR GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, G.C.M.G.)

His Honour the Chief Justice, (SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt.)

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G.)

,, the Attorney General, (EDWARD LOUGHLIN O'MALLEY.)

,, the Surveyor General, (JOHN MACNEILE PRICE.)

,, the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER.)

,, the Registrar General, (FREDERICK STEWART, LL.D.)

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, FRANCIS BULKELEY JOHNSON.

,, THOMAS JACKSON.

,, FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON.

,, WONG SHING.

The Council met in pursuance of adjournment.

Minutes read and confirmed.

VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The Colonial Secretary moved the following votes passed by the Finance Committee.

(Finance Committee, 18th December, 1883.)

ESTABLISHMENTS .

Colonial Secretary.

C.S.O.

2880 of 1883. Amount disbursed by Mr. MAY for travelling expenses, &c., to Peking, ................ $ 140.25 Passage from Hongkong to Shanghai, ...................................................................... 40.00 —————————

$ 180.25

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SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Education.

C.O. Desp.

233 of 1883. Building-Grant to Asile de la Sainte Enfance, ............................................................ $ 1,000.00 ——

(Finance Committee, 28th December, 1883.)

SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Miscellaneous Services.

3053 of 1883. Gratuity to the widow of Mr. GEO. HAYWARD, late Acting Superintendent of

C.S.O.

Victoria Gaol, ....................................................................................................... $ 946.00 3079 of 1883. Passage to England for the two children of the late Police Constable COOKSON, and

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gratuity to the Stewardess for taking charge of them on board, ....................... 180.00 —————————

$ 1,126.00

(Finance Committee, 15th January, 1884.)

SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Postmaster General.

C.S.O.

3096 of 1883. Conveyance of Mails:—Gratuities to Ship Masters for carrying Mails,—excess, . $ 671.00

(Finance Committee, 15th January, 1884.)

ESTABLISHMENTS .

Colonial Treasurer.

C.S.O.

2639 of 1883. Salary to Extra Chinese Writer, per annum, ................................................................ $ 180.00 Surveyor General.

1994 of 1883. Salary to Acting Interpreter attached to Inspector of Buildings at $15 per month,

C.S.O.

per annum, ............................................................................................................ $ 180.00 Postmaster General.

C.S.O.

3097 of 1883. One Messenger, per annum, ......................................................................................... $ 72.00 Observatory.

C.S.O.

39 of 1884. Salaries:—2 Coolies at $72 each, ................................................................................ $ 144.00 Medical.

2148 of 1883. Remuneration to Dr. A. WHARRY for his services in the Civil Hospital during the

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illness of the Superintendent, Dr. C. J. WHARRY, at the rate of $6 per day, 13

days, ......................................................................................................................$ 78.00 Magistracy.

C.S.O.

424 of 1883. Allowance to 2nd Chinese Interpreter for Chin-chiu Teacher, per annum, .............. $ 60.00 Police.

70 of 1884. Detective Inspector QUINCEY:—Difference between his salary, and other

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allowances as Sergeant, and the pay of Detective Inspector at $720 per

annum, .................................................................................................................. $ 36.00 Fire Brigade.

C.S.O.

2560 of 1883. Salary of a Watchman for Hollywood Road Engine House, at $5 per month, ........ $ 60.00

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SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Treasury.

2291 of 1883. Extra expenditure on account of the appointment of an Assessor with technical

C.S.O.

qualifications, for valuation of house property and assessing Municipal

Rates, ..................................................................................................................... $ 1,324.00

Education.

C.S.O.

1903 of 1883. Rent to Teacher of Sháu-ki Wán School, .................................................................... 36.00

Police.

C.S.O.

35 of 1884. Rent of Police Quarters at Áp-li Chau, additional $4.50 per month, ........................ $ 54.00

Fire Brigade.

C.S.O.

2560 of 1883. Rent of Engine House in Hollywood Road, at $10 per month, .............................. $ 120.00 Works and Buildings.

C.S.O.

50 of 1884.

Governor's

Desp. No. 16 of 18th Jan., 1884.

Mis. Doc.

Purchase of a Patent Destructor, Multitubular Steam Boiler, and a Steam Disinfecting Apparatus, at a cost of £2,000, at 3/8,== .................................... $ 10,909.09

Miscellaneous Services.

895 of 1883. Scavenging Hung-hom, Sháu-ki Wán, Aberdeen, and Áp-li Chau, ...................... 612.00 Do. Stanley, ........................................................................................................ 216.00 —————

$ 828.00

(Finance Committee, 15th January, 1884.)

ESTABLISHMENTS .

Colonial Secretary.

2768 of 1883. Allowance to 4th Clerk for Chinese Teacher, 1st December, 1883, to 30th

C.S.O.

November, 1884, at $10 per month, ................................................................. $ 120.00

Surveyor General.

C.S.O.

1955 of 1883. Allowance to Land Surveyor for Chinese Teacher, ................................................. 120.00 C.S.O.

1805 of 1883. Allowance to 2nd Clerk of Works for Chair Coolies, .............................................. 144.00 —————

$ 264.00

Government Gardens.

C.S.O.

1611 of 1883. Allowance to Head Gardener for Chinese Teacher, ................................................. $ 120.00

Judicial.

C.S.O.

1644 of 1883. Allowance to Librarian of Supreme Court for Chinese Teacher, ............................ $ 120.00 Gaol.

C.S.O.

2907 of 1883. Increase to salary of Assistant Turnkey E. ROCHA, at $5 per month, ....................... $ 60.00

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SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Education.

2128 of 1883. Rent.—Difference between the usual allowance of $30 per month, and the

C.S.O.

allowance now granted to the Head Master, at $60 per month, ..................... $ 360.00

Miscellaneous Services.

Mis. Doc.

675 of 1883. Scavenging of the City of Victoria, ............................................................................ $ 19,680.00 Governor's

Desp. No. 292 of 5th Nov., 1883.

Do. Yau-ma Ti, ................................................................................................... 240.00

1937 of 1883. Remuneration to the Naval Officer who superintends the dropping of the Time

C.S.O.

Ball on board H.M.S. Victor Emanuel, at $30 per month, 6 months, ............ 180.00 —————

$ 20,100.00

Seconded by the Colonial Treasurer.

Question—put and passed.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.—The Colonial Secretary moved the appointment of the following Committees:—

1. Finance, to consist of the whole of the Members of the Legislative Council, with the Colonial Secretary as Chairman.

2. Law, to consist of the Honourable the Attorney General (Chairman); the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer; the Honourable P. RYRIE; the Honourable F. D. SASSOON; the Honourable WONG SHING.

3. Public Works, to consist of the Honourable the Surveyor General (Chairman); the Honourable the Colonial Secretary; the Honourable the Registrar General; the Honourable F. B. JOHNSON; the Honourable T. JACKSON;—

the Committees of Law and Public Works to be open to all Members of the Legislative Council. Seconded by the Colonial Treasurer.

Question—put and passed.

VOTES OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—Read the following Minutes by H. E. the Governor. The Governor recommends the Council to vote the following sums:—

C.S.O.

200 of 1884. (1). Revote of $5,280 unexpended balance of vote provided in 1883, required for the payment of construction of the Government Observatory.

C.S.O.

279 of 1884. (2). Vote of $100 to the Secretary of the Public Works enquiry Commission.

C.S.O.

310 of 1884. (3). Vote of $269.40 for printing the Report of the Smuggling Commission.

C.S.O.

272 of 1884. (4). Vote of increase of $240 per annum to the Salary of the Assistant Sheriff's Officer of the Supreme Court, whom it is proposed to appoint Assistant Bailiff.

C.S.O.

210 of 1884. (5). Vote of $224 a month for four months for Salary and Chair allowance of Civil Engineer to be temporarily employed in the Public Works Department.

C.S.O.

198 of 1884. (6). Revote of $3,530, unexpended balance of vote in 1883 for the New Lunatic Asylum. Do. (7). Supplementary vote of $1,800 required for completion of the Lunatic Asylum.

See State ment to

C.S.O. 2,327 of 1883.

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(8). Supplementary vote of $1,560 for payment of Mr. MAY as Assistant Master, Central School; the Normal School having been closed, and the $3,568 provided in the Estimates of 1884 for that Establishment being consequently no longer available.

(9). Vote of $45 for three months' pay of Chinese Master of the late Normal School, now closed.

412 of 1884. (10). Revote of $1,610, being unexpended balance of sum voted in 1883 for Streets improvement at Shau-ki Wan.

The Governor invites the Council to consider the papers hereinafter referred to and to vote such sums as may after consideration appear to them necessary.

C.O. Desp. 183 of Augt. 28th, 1883.

C.S.O.

(1). Papers referring to the proposed increase in the pay of Constables, Sergeants, and Third Class Inspectors of Police in accordance with the principle sanctioned by the Finance Committee at its Meeting of 21st June last.

170 of 1884. (2). An application of the Coroner on the subject of his chair allowance.

C.S.O. 3,541 of 1883.

C.S.O.

(3). A Report of the Surveyor General on the subject of the Old Protestant Cemetery near the Kennedy Road.

520 of 1884. (4). Report of the Surveyor General requesting a vote of $2,500 to repair the Cape d'Aguilar Light House Road.

The Colonial Secretary moved that these papers be referred to the Finance Committee.

Seconded by the Colonial Treasurer.

Question—put and passed.

READING OF BILLS FOR THE FIRST TIME.—On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the following Bills were read a first time:—

A Bill entitled The Weights and Measures Ordinance, 1884.

" " The Opium Ordinance, 1884.

" " The Stamp Ordinance, 1884.

" " The Medical Registration Ordinance, 1884.

" " The Prison Ordinance, 1884.

" " The Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Amendment Ordinance, 1884.

READING OF PRIVATE BILL FOR THE FIRST TIME—On the motion of the Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, seconded by the Honourable the Surveyor General, the following Bill was read a first time:—

A Bill entitled An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to authorise CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, Esq. to construct piers and wharves in the harbour of Victoria, and to confer upon the said CATCHICK PAUL CHATER certain other powers and privileges.

The Attorney General moved that the above seven Bills be referred to the Law Committee. Seconded by the Colonial Secretary.

Question—put and passed.

THE STANDING ORDERS—REVISION OF.—The Attorney General moved that the existing Standing Orders be referred to the Law Committee of the Legislative Council.

Seconded by the Colonial Secretary.

Question—put and passed.

LIGHT DUES LEVIED ON SHIPPING.—The Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, pursuant to notice, moved:— "That in the opinion of this Council the Light Dues levied on shipping in any one year should not exceed in amount the estimated expenses of maintaining the Light-houses during that year."

The Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.

The Colonial Secretary moved as an amendment:—

That this matter be referred to the Finance Committee in order that the whole of the correspondence may be considered and looked into carefully.

Seconded by the Colonial Treasurer.

Debate ensued.

His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council.

Amendment carried nem. con.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY—CONDITIONS OF THE TENURE OF.—The Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, on the motion for adjournment, asked, pursuant to notice, the Surveyor General, what are the conditions of tenure on which the land set apart for the interment of Roman Catholics is held.

The Surveyor General replied:—

Upon receiving notice of the question of the Honourable member, I caused an investigation to be made as to the terms under which this lease was granted. In 1848 Governor Sir JOHN BOWRING conceded to the ecclesiastical authorities of the day a leasehold of this land for the term of 999 years. The concession was not accompanied by any conditions or restrictions. It is vested in the Propaganda Fide as represented by the authorities of the day. The actual holder of the lease is the Roman Catholic Bishop, and I have been able to find nothing that will in any way enable the Government to interfere, because it was not given in trust, but was an absolute gift in fee simple to the Roman Catholic authorities of that day.

The Honourable F. B. JOHNSON gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would move for the production of all the papers relating to this grant of land.

The Council adjourned until Wednesday, the 12th instant, at 4 P.M.

G. F. BOWEN,

Governor.

Read and confirmed, this 19th day of March, 1884.

J. H. STEWART-LOCKHART,

Acting Clerk of Councils.