1890-02-12 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 2.

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WEDNESDAY, 12TH FEBRUARY, 1890.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

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

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (FRANCIS FLEMING, C.M.G.).

,, the Acting Attorney General, (ANDREW JOHN LEACH).

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

,, the Surveyor General, (SAMUEL BROWN).

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, WONG SHING.

,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN.

,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

ABSENT:

The Honourable the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER).

,, .JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK, (vice the Honourable JOHN BELL-IRVING).

The Council met pursuant to notice.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 15th ultimo, were read and confirmed.

NEW MEMBER.—Mr. FRANCIS FLEMING, C.M.G., was sworn in and took his seat as Colonial Secretary. VOTES REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—Read the following Minutes by His Excellency the Governor:—

(1.)

G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX.

C.S.O.

2433 of 1889. $766.

C.S.O.

370 of 1890. $27,000.

C.O. Desp. General

25th Nov., 1889.

$12,000.

C.S.O.

2463 of 1889. $37,275.48.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the sum of Seven hundred and Sixty-six Dollars for general overhaul and repairs to Health Officer's Steam-launch Blanche, and additional repairs to boiler, and providing a launch while the repairs are being executed.

Government House, Hongkong, 3rd February, 1890.

(2.)

G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the sum of Twenty-seven thousand Dollars for supplying the Peak District with water, viz.:—Laying pipes, Steam engine, Hydraulic Motor and Pumps, Buildings, &c.

Government House, Hongkong, 12th February, 1890.

(3.)

G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the sum of Twelve thousand Dollars for illuminating the Public buildings, arranging for the visit to Canton, entertainment at Government House, and other incidental expenses connected with the visit to the Colony of Their Royal Highnesses THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT.

Government House, Hongkong, 12th February, 1890.

(4.)

G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the sum of Thirty-seven thousand Two hundred and Seventy-five Dollars, and Forty-eight cents for the purchase of twelve Maxim Nordenfeldt Guns, and Ammunition, for the Volunteers.

Government House, Hongkong, 12th February, 1890.

The Colonial Secretary moved that these Votes be referred to the Finance Committee. The Captain Superintendent of Police seconded.

Question—put and passed.

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VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 15th ultimo, (No. 1), and moved that the following Votes referred to therein be passed, viz.:—

C.S.O.

2987 of 1889. $2,187.

C.S.O.

500 of 1889. $500.

Balance remaining on the vote of 1889 for Roads in Kowloon, ............................................................ $ 2,187.00 To Mr. BRUCE SHEPHERD for compiling and printing Index to Streets, .................................................. $ 500.00

The Captain Superintendent of Police seconded.

The Governor addressed the Council on the additional sum of $250 suggested by the Finance Committee to be paid to Mr. BRUCE SHEPHERD.

Question—put and passed.

GAP ROCK LIGHTHOUSE.—Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:—

What progress is being made with the Gap Rock Lighthouse?

The Surveyor General replied.

NEW CENTRAL MARKET.—Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:—

When will the work connected with the New Central Market be commenced?

The Surveyor General replied.

The Governor addressed the Council.

EXTENSION OF THE RECREATION GROUND AT THE HAPPY VALLEY.—Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, moved the following resolution, and addressed the Council:—

That in view of the increased popularity of the Race Course for the purposes of recreation and the limited space that is available, the Government take into consideration the desirability of further extension, by removing the trees and turfing the piece of ground now known as the Public Gardens and lying immediately to the north of the road from the monument to the Gardeners' Cottage.

Mr. CHATER seconded, and addressed the Council.

Mr. RYRIE addressed the Council in support of the motion.

The Governor addressed the Council.

The Surveyor General addressed the Council.

Question—put and passed.

BILL ENTITLED THE MAGISTRATES' ORDINANCE, 1890.—The Acting Attorney General moved the first reading of this Bill.

The Captain Superintendent of Police seconded.

Question—put and passed.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE PROCUREUR GÉ)NÉRAL, IN HONGKONG, OF THE SOCIETY OF THE MISSIONS ETRANGÈRES.—The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill. The Captain Superintendent of Police seconded.

Question—put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

The Council then went into Committee on the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment.

The Acting Attorney General then moved the third reading of the Bill.

The Captain Superintendent of Police seconded.

Question—put and passed.

Bill read a third time.

Question put—that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance 2 of 1890.

APPROACHING DEPARTURE OF THE GOVERNOR.—Mr. RYRIE addressed the Governor at length on His Excellency's departure, expressing the extreme regret of the Un-official Members that His Excellency's health compels him to leave the Colony for a time.

His Excellency replied.

ADJOURNMENT.—The Governor then adjourned the Council sine die.

F. FLEMING,

Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 5th day of March, 1890.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.