1888-05-07 — Page 1

33

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, NO. 15.

MONDAY, 7TH MAY, 1888.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(SIR G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX, K.C.M.G.)

His Honour the Acting Chief Justice (JAMES RUSSELL, C.M.G.), vice His Honour SIR GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt., on leave.

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (FREDERICK STEWART).

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

,, the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER).

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

,, the Captain Superintendent of Police, (WALTER MEREDITH DEANE).

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, WONG SHING.

,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN.

,, JOHN BELL-IRVING.

,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

The Council met pursuant to notice.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 27th ultimo, were read and confirmed.

VOTE REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―Read the following Minute by His Excellency the Governor: ―

G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX.

C.S.O.

1045 of 1888. $2,595.60.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the sum of Two thousand Five hundred and Ninety-five Dollars, and Sixty Cents for the Members of the Fire Brigade, in order to provide for each Member an amount equal to 30 per cent. of his yearly salary.

Experience has shown that the salaries of the Fire Brigade have become insufficient, in view of the increased size of the Town, and the greater frequency of fires; and in the absence of some increase to the remuneration, it will probably be impossible to maintain an effective force.

On the other hand, the supply of water under high pressure, which may shortly be expected from the Tytam Water-Works, will very possibly lessen greatly the labours of the Brigade; and this contingency renders it inexpedient at the present time to make any permanent addition to the salaries.

Until the new water-supply has been available for a sufficient time to enable the extent of Fire Brigade service required under the new conditions to be fully ascertained, the Governor proposes therefore that the question of extra-remuneration each year shall be considered with reference to the work actually done; and he recommends the above sum as a bonus for the past year in consideration of the exceptionally severe work which has been required in consequence of the unusually large number of fires.

The addition of a fixed proportion to the salary of each Member of the Brigade has, no doubt, the disadvantage that some Members will, relatively to the service rendered, be remunerated better than others. This plan has however been recommended, after much consideration, as on the whole less objectionable than any other which has been devised.

Government House, Hongkong, 7th May, 1888.

VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.―The Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid upon the table the Report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee, (No. 22), held on the 27th ultimo, and moved that the following vote referred to therein be passed:―

SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS.

Roads, Streets and Bridges.

C.S.O.

$565.New Posts and Rails to Garrison Parade Ground,...................................................................$ 565.00

2530 of 1887,

As regards the vote for additional Clerks for the Post Office, the Colonial Secretary explained that it required further consideration by the Finance Committee.

The Treasurer seconded.

Question―put and passed.

34

CHINESE EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.―Mr. MACEWEN, by permission, addressed the Council on the subject of the policy adopted by the Australian Government in preventing the immigration of Chinese subjects into the Australian Colonies.

The Governor replied.

VICTORIA COLLEGE.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:―

The reason for the delay in the completion of Victoria College: whether the Surveyor General can name a fixed date when the Building will be ready for occupation. The Governor said that he was not prepared to answer this question to-day, but hoped to be able to do so at the next meeting.

TYTAM WATER SUPPLY.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked the following question:― Presuming that water will be supplied to the Town by next November, is there to be a new distribution for Fire extinguishing purposes, and, if so, by what date will it be completed? Is such distribution included in the present estimated cost of the Tytam Water Works? If not, what will the extra cost amount to?

The Surveyor General replied.

PUBLIC HEALTH ORDINANCE―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:―

What instructions the Government have received from the Colonial Office regarding the Public Health Bill which was passed by an official majority last session and suspended from operation pending the receipt of such instructions?

The Governor replied.

DESTITUTE WOMEN AND GIRLS.―Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:―

For a return of the number of destitute Women and Girls at present in the Colony under the protection of the Government, the return to show the number in charge of the Tung Wa Hospital Committee;

The Honourable Member also called attention to the unsatisfactory nature of the arrangements at present in force for keeping and maintaining rescued Women and Girls; and moved the following resolution on the subject,―

That the Government immediately take steps to build a home or shelter of refuge for these destitute women and girls in the Colony.

Mr. WONG SHING seconded.

The Colonial Secretary replied to the question.

The Governor said he would give the subject of the resolution his best consideration.

BILL ENTITLED THE CORONER'S ABOLITION ORDINANCE, 1888.―On the motion of the Attorney General, the Council resumed Committee on this Bill.

Bill reported with amendments.

BILL ENTITLED THE CHINESE FUGITIVE CRIMINALS EXTRADITION ORDINANCE, 1888.―The Attorney General moved the first reading of this Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question―put and passed.

Bill read a first time.

ADJOURNMENT.―The Council then adjourned to Thursday, the 17th instant, at 4 P.M.

G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX,

Governor.

Read and confirmed, this 4th day of June, 1888.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.