1886-12-03 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 8.

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FRIDAY, 3RD DECEMBER, 1886.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY WILLIAM HENRY MARSH, C.M.G.,

Administering the Government in the absence of His Excellency SIR GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, G.C.M.G. His Honour the Chief Justice, (SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt.)

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (FREDERICK STEWART.)

,, the Acting Attorney General, (EDWARD JAMES ACKROYD.)

,, the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER.)

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

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, WONG SHING.

,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN, (vice the Honourable THOMAS JACKSON, on leave). ,, JOHN BELL-IRVING, (vice the Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, on leave).

ABSENT:

The Honourable HENRY GEORGE THOMSETT, R.N., by leave.

,, FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON, on leave.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 26th ultimo, were read and confirmed.

OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE CANTON RIVER.―His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government read the following telegram from Her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking (Sir JOHN WALSHAM, C.B.) on this subject:―

Subject referred to in your telegram of the 29th has been receiving constant attention, and I made a further personal representation to the Yamen the day before I received your message.

WALSHAM.

THE MORTALITY IN THE CONVENTS.―The Acting Colonial Secretary stated that the Returns called for by Mr. MACEWEN were not yet ready, but that he hoped to lay them upon the table this day week.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE 8 OF 1879.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the second reading of this Bill.

BILL ENTITLED THE POST OFFICE ORDINANCE, 1886.―On the motion of the Treasurer, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

The Treasurer gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the second reading of this Bill.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE, 1865 TO 1886.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, stating the objects and reasons of it.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

The Chief Justice addressed the Council.

Question―put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move that the Council go into Committee on this Bill.

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BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR PRESERVING AN AUTHENTIC RECORD OF THE ORDINANCES OF THE COLONY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, stating the objects and reasons of it.

The Acting Colonial Secretary, seconded.

Question―put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move that the Council go into Committee on this Bill.

BILLS READ A THIRD TIME AND PASSED.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the following Bills were read a third time:―

(a.) The Legislative Council Witnesses Ordinance, 1886.

(b.) The Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886.

(c.) An Ordinance to amend the Laws relating to Wills.

(d.) An Ordinance relating to Bills of Lading.

Question put―that these Bills do pass.

Bills passed, and numbered respectively as Ordinances Nos. 26, 27, 28, and 29 of 1886.

NOTICE OF QUESTION.―Mr. WONG SHING gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would ask:―

Is it still the practice for the Magistrates to send all destitute Chinese found in the Colony by the Police, to the Commandant at Kowloon?

If the practice has ceased, why did it cease, and the reason for it?

VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―The Acting Colonial Secretary laid on the table the Report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee, held on the 26th ultimo (No. 22), in connexion with the following votes, and moved that it be taken as read:―

Transfer vote from the Registrar General's Department to the Treasury, for expenses in connexion with the collection of Municipal Rates at the Villages, ............................. $ 253.00 Expenses incurred in making good Storm Damages caused by the rain-storm of 15th July, 1886, to Roads, Streets, Bridges, and Sewers, ..................................................... 12,176.00 $12,429.00

Question―put and passed.

The Acting Colonial Secretary then moved that these votes be passed.

The Treasurer seconded.

Question―put and passed.

ADJOURNMENT.―The Council then adjourned to Friday, the 10th instant.

W. H. MARSH,

Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 10th day of December, 1886.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.