1890-05-16 — Page 1

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 13.

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FRIDAY, 16TH 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 9th instant, were read and confirmed.

The Acting Colonial Secretary laid on the table a copy of a letter from Her Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government in reply to a telegram sent by His Excellency expressing regret at the news of the death of the Marquis TSENG.

Read the following Minute under the hand of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government:— 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.

The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that this Minute be referred to the Finance Committee. The Attorney General seconded.

His Excellency addressed the Council.

Question—put and agreed to.

His Excellency informed the Council that he had given instructions that in future, except in cases of emergency, a copy of every financial minute should be supplied to all Members of Council three days previous to the vote being asked for in order that they may have a reasonable opportunity of knowing the circumstances under which they are asked to vote the money.

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 9th instant, (No. 8), and moved that the following Votes referred to therein be passed, viz.:— C.S.O.

2959 of 1889. 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, ...................................................................................... $ 6,000.00

C. O. Desp.

5 of 1890. Furniture and fittings for the Local delivery branch of the General Post Office, ........................ $ 300.00 C.S.O.

2935 of 1889. 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, ................... $ 3,670.00 C. O. Desp.

38 of 1890. Allowance for House Rent to the Compradore of the General Post Office, ............................... $ 120.00

The Attorney General seconded.

His Excellency addressed the Council in connection with the vote for the new lead roof over the Central Hall of the Victoria College.

Question—put and agreed to.

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The Honourable the Attorney General laid on the table the report of the Special Committee appointed to frame New Standing Rules and Orders, and gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would move the adoption of the report.

Honourable P. RYRIE gave notice that at the next meeting he would ask the following questions:— (1.) If the Executive will furnish the Council with any information in regard to the reported defalcation in the Money Order Department of the Colony.

(2.) If it is the intention of Government to take any steps in regard to the celebration of the Jubilee Day of the foundation of the Colony.

His Excellency stated, in reference to the question of the defalcation in the Money Order Office, that enquiries were being made and he hoped that by the next meeting he would be in possession of such facts as would enable him to answer the question which would then be put.

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 second reading of the Bill.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment.

Council resumed.

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

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question—put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment.

Council resumed.

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 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND "THE HONGKONG CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE."—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 Friday, the 23rd instant, at 3 P.M.

F. FLEMING,

Officer Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 30th day of May, 1890.

F. A. HAZELAND,

Acting Clerk of Councils.