1890-05-09 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 12.

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FRIDAY, 9TH MAY, 1890.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (The Honourable FRANCIS FLEMING, C.M.G.)

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (WALTER MEREDITH DEANE).

,, the Attorney General, (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN).

,, the Surveyor General, (SAMUEL BROWN).

,, the Acting Registrar General, (NORMAN GILBERT MITCHELL-INNES).

,, PHINEAS RYRIE.

,, ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN.

,, CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

,, JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.

,, HO KAI, M.B., C.M.

ABSENT:

The Honourable the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER), on account of sickness.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 5th instant, were read and confirmed.

NEW MEMBER.—His Excellency addressed the Council respecting the appointment of Mr. J. J. KESWICK as a Member of the Council in the place of Mr. JOHN BELL-IRVING who has resigned his seat. Mr. J. J. KESWICK was then duly sworn in and took his seat as a Member of the Council.

REPORTS.—The Acting Colonial Secretary laid on the table the following reports:—Return of Superior and Subordinate Courts for 1889, and Annual Report of the Head Master of the Victoria College for 1889. Read the following Minutes under the hand of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:— (1.)

F. FLEMING.

C.S.O.

2959 of 1889. The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of Six thousand Dollars, ($6,000) for the improvement of the piece of land known as the "Chinese Recreation Ground," Possession Point, viz.:—

For the clearing, levelling and surfacing of the ground, and constructing stalls and side channels.

Government House, Hongkong, 1st May, 1890.

(2.)

F. FLEMING.

C. O. Desp.

5 of 1890. The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of Three hundred Dollars, ($300), to provide for furniture and fittings for the Local delivery branch of the General Post Office.

Government House, Hongkong, 8th May, 1890.

(3.)

F. FLEMING.

C.S.O.

2935 of 1889. The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of Three thousand Six hundred and Seventy Dollars, ($3,670) for relaying of the lead roof over the Central Hall, and the two staircases of Victoria College, which was found in a very bad state, and constantly leaking in several places.

Government House, Hongkong, 8th May, 1890.

(4.)

F. FLEMING.

C.S.O.

589 of 1890. The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote the sum of Two thousand Three hundred and Thirty-four Dollars and One Cent, ($2,334.01), as an additional sum to the vote of $12,000 passed by the Council on the 12th March, last, to meet expenses connected with the visit to the Colony of Their Royal Highnesses THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT.

Government House, Hongkong, 9th May, 1890.

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The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that these Minutes, with the exception of the Minute recommending that an additional sum be voted in connection with the visit of Their Royal Highnesses THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT, which was allowed to stand over for further consideration, be referred to the Finance Committee. The Attorney General seconded.

His Excellency addressed the Council in connection with the votes for improvement of the Chinese Recreation Ground, and for the new lead roof over the Central Hall of the Victoria College. Question—put and agreed to.

VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.—The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 29th ultimo, (No. 7), and moved that the following Votes referred to therein be passed, viz.:—

C.S.O.

628 of 1890. Additional Clerk and Interpreter of Indian and Malay languages, at the Harbour Department, from 1st May next, at a salary of $25 per month, ..................................................................... $ 200.00 C.S.O.

649 of 1890. Refund of the overcharged Municipal Rates at the erroneous valuation on two Tenements, Nos. 69 and 70, in the Village of Hok-Ün, in the Kaulung Peninsula, .................................... $ 21.70 C.S.O.

878 of 1890. Salary of a Shroff in the Money Order Office, from 1st of May, at $20 per month, ..................... $ 160.00 C.S.O.

654 of 1890. Gratuity to the Children of the late SOOPPRAMANI SOONDERAM, in consideration of his 25 years' service as Police Officer, Clerk and Interpreter in the Harbour Office, ................................... $ 228.00 C.S.O.

969 of 1890. New Mooring of the Bokhara Buoy, to be supplied from the stores of the Royal Naval Yard, (£205@3/1), ................................................................................................................................. $ 1,329.73

The Attorney General seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCE No. 32 OF 1889 AND AMEND ORDINANCE No. 14 OF 1862, ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR GRANTING PATENTS FOR INVENTIONS WITHIN THIS COLONY.—The Attorney General moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAW WITH REFERENCE TO THE FALSIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS.—The Attorney General moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND "THE HONGKONG CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE."—The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment.

Council resumed.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO INFANT VACCINATION AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF PERSONS VACCINATED IN THE COLONY.—The Attorney General moved that the Bill be read a third time. The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put—that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

BILL ENTITLED THE MAGISTRATES' ORDINANCE, 1890.—Council in Committee on the Bill.

Progress reported.

Council resumed.

ADJOURNMENT.—The Council then adjourned till Monday, the 12th instant, at 2 P.M.

F. FLEMING,

Officer Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 16th day of May, 1890.

F. A. HAZELAND,

Acting Clerk of Councils.