1887-04-29 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL No. 27.

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FRIDAY, 29TH APRIL, 1887.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM GORDON CAMERON, C.B., Administering the Government in the absence of His Excellency SIR GEORGE FERGUSON BOWEN, G.C.M.G. His Honour the Acting Chief Justice (JAMES RUSSELL), vice His Honour SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt., on leave.

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 notice.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 22nd instant, were read and confirmed.

PAPERS.―The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the following papers:―

(a.) Report of the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department for 1886. (No. 2387 ). (b.) Educational Report for 1886. (No. 2487 ).

(c.) Returns of Superior and Subordinate Courts for 1886. (No. 2587 ).

(d.) The Harbour Master's Report for 1886. (No. 2687 ).

QUESTIONS.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions:―

What progress has been made with the Fortifications now under construction at the expense of the Colony?

What amount of money has been expended and paid?

How much is still due for work actually completed?

How much more is required to complete the works according to the original plans?

What is the latest information received from War Office in re new guns?

The Officer Administering the Government replied, and laid upon the table a Return containing the details asked for, together with a confidential Memorandum by the Commanding Royal Engineers, dated the 28th March, 1887, which would be shewn by the Acting Colonial Secretary to any Honourable Member who wished to peruse it.

His Excellency also quoted certain information from War Office Letter of 4th December, 1886. BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE THE BUILDING OF CHINESE HOUSES IN THE CITY OF VICTORIA.―The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and addressed the Council on the objects and reasons of it.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Mr. CHATER moved that the second reading of this Bill be postponed till next Session, and addressed the Council.

Mr. BELL-IRVING seconded.

Mr. RYRIE and Mr. MACEWEN, respectively, addressed the Council.

The Acting Attorney General offered no objections.

Question―put and passed.

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BILL ENTITLED THE CATTLE DISEASES, SLAUGHTER-HOUSES, AND MARKETS ORDINANCE, 1887.― 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 amendments.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE AUTHORISING THE HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION TO CONTINUE INCORPORATED FOR THE FURTHER TERM OF TWENTY-ONE YEARS.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by Mr. MACEWEN, this Bill was read a third time.

Question put―that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance No. 15 of 1887.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE EMPOWERING THE COURTS TO AWARD WHIPPING AS A FURTHER PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN CRIMES.―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. 16 of 1887.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR AMENDING THE LAWS RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.―The Acting Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the first reading of this Bill.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE OTHER ORDERS OF THE DAY.―On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the other Orders of the Day were postponed.

ADJOURNMENT.―The Council then adjourned sine die.

W. G. CAMERON, Major-General,

Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 6th day of May, 1887.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.