1885-05-08 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL NO. 23.

FRIDAY, 8TH MAY, 1885.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

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

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

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

,, the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER.)

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

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

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, THOMAS JACKSON.

,, FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON.

,, WONG SHING.

ABSENT:

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

The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, (on leave).

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

Minutes read and confirmed.

VOTES OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―Read the following Minutes by His Excellency the Governor:―

G. F. BOWEN.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the following sums:―

C.S.O.

3119 of 1884. Increase to the salary of the Chinese Clerk and Shroff of the Supreme Court, from $40 to $50 per month, from 1st April to 30th November, 1885,............. $ 80.00 C.S.O.

1014 of 1885. Allowance to a Seaman Gunnery Instructor for the Hongkong Auxiliary Flotilla, @ £50 per annum ($272.72), from 1st April to 30th November, 1885,.......... $ 181.80 Government House, Hongkong, 6th May, 1885.

The Colonial Secretary said that as these Minutes had already, by His Excellency's permission, been referred to the Finance Committee, there was no necessity for any further action being taken in the matter. VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―The Colonial Secretary moved the following votes passed by the Finance Committee:―

(Finance Committee, 7th May, 1885.)

ESTABLISHMENTS.

Cadets.

C.S.O.

927 of 1885. Honorarium, sanctioned by the Secretary of State, to Mr. HILLIER, Acting Chinese Secretary at the British Legation, for Superintending Chinese Studies of two Cadets in Peking,

..........................................................................................................................£100 @ 3/8= $ 545.45

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Judicial.

C.S.O.

3119 of 1884. Increase to the Salary of Chinese Clerk and Shroff of Supreme Court, from $40 to $50 per month, from 1st April to 30th November, 1885,...................................................................... $ 80.00 Police.

C.S.O.

541 of 1885. Arrears of pay for 1884 due to Inspector LINDSAY who has just returned from leave, and accepted the increase of pay under the new regulations,.......................................................... $ 81.28 C.S.O.

930 of 1885.Arrears of pay for 1884 due to four Police Constables who have accepted the increase of pay

under the new regulations,........................................................................................................... 240.00 $ 321.28

SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Government Gardens and Plantations.

C.S.O.

864 of 1885.Supplementary vote for Afforestation being amount required to carry out certain contracts to which the Government is already pledged for this year, ........................................................ $ 3,000.00 Police.

C.S.O.

888 of 1885. For the supply of 300,510 rounds of MARTINI-HENRY Ammunition required for the use of the Police and Volunteers,............................................................................................................... $ 6,998.11 Roads, Streets and Bridges.

C.S.O.

688 of 1885. New Roads near the old Mahomedan Cemetery, 2nd instalment,............................................... $ 2,500.00 Miscellaneous Services.

C.S.O.

849 of 1885. Cost of apparatus for testing of Coal-Gas,..................................................................................... $ 500.00

Colonial Defences.

C.S.O.

941 of 1885. Approximate cost of fitting for torpedoes, four Steam-launches,..........................£220 @ 3/8= $ 1,200.00 C.S.O.

1014 of 1885. Allowance to a Seaman Gunnery Instructor for the Hongkong Auxiliary Flotilla, @ £50 per annum ($272.72), from 1st April to 30th November,........................................................... $ 181.80 $ 1,381.80

Seconded by the Colonial Treasurer.

Question―put and passed.

DIRECT TELEGRAPH LINE TO SINGAPORE.―His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council as follows:― HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,―Before proceeding to the order of the day I desire to inform you that I have now received a reply to my telegrams respecting that part of your resolution of the 1st April ultimo which advocated a direct telegraphic cable between Hongkong and Singapore. Lord DERBY'S telegram states as follows:―

"Her Majesty's Government consider that there would be no advantage gained by a direct submarine cable, in the present emergency, commensurate with the heavy expenditure of the annual payment required."

However, I have submitted for favourable consideration a suggestion on this subject by a high military authority, which, if feasible, and if approved, would secure the desired object at a comparatively small cost.

BILL TO AMEND THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE.―On the motion of the Attorney General, the Council went into Committee on this Bill.

The Bill was reported without amendment.

On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the Bill was read a third time. Question put―that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

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BILL ENTITLED THE MARRIED WOMEN'S DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY ORDINANCE, 1885.―On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a third time.

Question put―that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

BILL TO AMEND ORDINANCE 16 OF 1873, (TRADE MARKS).―On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a third time.

Question put―that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

BILL FOR THE PREVENTION OF ABUSES CONNECTED WITH CHILD ADOPTION AND DOMESTIC SERVICE. ―On the motion of the Attorney General, the order for the second reading of this Bill was discharged.

BILL ENTITLED THE FRENCH MAIL STEAMERS ORDINANCE CONTINUATION ORDINANCE, 1885. The Attorney General moved the first reading of this Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question―put and passed.

Bill read a first time.

The Council adjourned until Friday, the 15th instant, at 4 P.M.

G. F. BOWEN,

Governor.

Read and confirmed, this 15th day of May, 1885.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.