1887-03-11 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 19.

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FRIDAY, 11TH MARCH, 1887.

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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.)

,, HENRY GEORGE THOMSETT, R.N.

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, WONG SHING.

,, JOHN BELL-IRVING, (vice the Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK, on leave).

,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN, (vice the Honourable THOMAS JACKSON, on leave). ,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, (vice the Honourable FREDERICK DAVID SASSOON, on leave). The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 4th instant, are read and confirmed.

VOTES OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―Read the following Minute by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:―

W. H. MARSH.

C.S.O.

410 of 1887. In November, 1885, during the Cattle Epidemic, it was found necessary to provide for the inspection of all cattle arriving in the Colony. For this purpose one of the Inspectors of Nuisances (Inspector RAE) was transferred from the Sanitary Department, and a temporary Inspector of Nuisances was appointed in his place. This temporary Inspector of Nuisances will be required, until the appointment of a Veterinary Surgeon enables Inspector RAE to return to his proper duties.

The Officer Administering the Government therefore recommends the Council to vote the following sums:―

Salary, for 12 months, at $60 per month, ............................................. $720.00

Allowance for Rent at $15 per month, ................................................. 180.00

Allowance for Chair in Summer, at $12 per month, for 5 months, ... 60.00

$ 960.00

No provision was made for this service in the Estimates for 1887, as the Veterinary Surgeon has not been appointed, and his salary has not yet been ascertained.

Government House, Hongkong, 10th March, 1887.

The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that this vote be referred to the Finance Committee. The Treasurer seconded.

Question―put and passed.

VOTES OF MONEY PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the Report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee, dated the 4th instant, (No. 6), and moved that the following sums referred to therein be voted, viz.:―

(1.) Stipulated increment to the salary of the Assistant Warder in the Gaol Hospital, ....... $ 60.00 (2.) Extension of Cattle Market at Kennedy Town, .............................................................. 660.00 $ 720.00

The Treasurer seconded.

Question―put and passed.

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BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR SECURING THE STATUS OF THE FRENCH MAIL STEAMERS WITHIN THE PORTS OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR SECURING THE STATUS OF THE GERMAN MAIL STEAMERS WITHIN THE PORTS OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE EMPOWERING THE COURTS TO AWARD WHIPPING AS A FURTHER PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN CRIMES.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and stated the objects and reasons of it.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

In connection with this Bill, His Excellency informed the Council that at the time the Gaol Commission who recommended this measure sat, the number of prisoners in Gaol was 710, and that last week the number was only 559.

Mr. MACEWEN enquired whether the Secretary of State's Despatch on the Report of the Commission would be published.

His Excellency said he was unable to answer the question now, as he did not know whether he was at liberty to lay the Despatch upon the table, but that he would see about it before next meeting.

Question―put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF YOUNG GIRLS.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council resumed consideration, in Committee, of this Bill.

Bill reported with several amendments.

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

Mr. MACEWEN suggested that, in view of the extensive alterations made in Committee in the Bill, it be published in the Gazette before proceeding to its third reading.

The Acting Attorney General offering no objection, it was ordered that the Bill, as amended, be published in the next issue of the Gazette.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE MORE EFFECTUAL PREVENTION OF CRIME.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council went into Committee on this Bill. Bill reported with some verbal amendments, certain clauses being reserved for further consideration. BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE TRIAD AND OTHER UNLAWFUL SOCIETIES AND FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a third time.

Question put―that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance No. 8 of 1887.

ABOLITION OF CORONER'S JURIES IN CERTAIN CASES.―The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the following resolution:―

Whereas the circumstances of this Colony do not require the enquiry into cases of sudden or violent death by a Coroner's Jury, and whereas no adrantage is found to arise from such enquiries, be it resolved that it is expedient to introduce an Ordinance abolishing the Office of Coroner and providing for an enquiry into cases of sudden or violent death by a Police Magistrate without a Jury, and for the holding of Inquests by a Police Magistrate with a Jury on the bodies of persons who die in Gaol.

ADJOURNMENT.―The Council then adjourned until Friday, the 18th instant, at 4 P.M.

W. H. MARSH,

Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 18th day of March, 1887.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils