1898-08-29 — Page 1

PRESENT:―

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29TH AUGUST, 1898

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the north by a straight line passing through a point on the Victoria and Shaukiwan Road 500 feet north wards of

His EXCELLENCY the ACTING GOVERNOR, Major-General BLACK, C.B. (Officer Commanding the troops). Hon. T. SERCOMBE SMITH (Acting Colonial Secretary). Hon. W. M. GOODMAN (Attorney-General).

Hon. R. MURRAY RUMSEY (Harbour Master).

Hon. F. H. MAY, C.M.G. (Captain Superintendent of Police).

Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Acting Colonial Treasurer). Hon. R. D. ORMSBY (Director of Public Works). Hon. C. P. CHATER, C.M.G.

Hon. HO KAI.

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.

Hon. J. J. BELL-IRVING.

Hon. WEI A YUK.

Mr. J. G. T. BUCKLE (Clerk of Councils).

MINUTES.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and adopted as a correct record.

FINANCIAL MINUTES.

The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table financial minutes Nos. 12 and 13, and on his motion, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, they were referred to the Finance Committee.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and on his motion, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, the same was adopted.

WATER RATES AT SHAUKIWAN.

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said―I rise to propose the following resolution:― "Be it resolved by the Legislative Council that the percentages on the valuations of tenements, payable as rates, within the area bounded on

where the northern boundary of Shaukiwan marine lot No. 1 crosses the said road, thence drawn in an easterly direction through a point on the Shaukiwan and Akung Ngam Road 500 feet northwards of the northwest corner of the Shaukiwan Police Station, and extended in each direction to meet the eastern and western boundaries; on the west, south, and east by a line 500 feet inland from the centre of the present Victoria and Shaukiwan Road and the present main street of Shaukiwan, where not already so altered be altered from 7 to 9 per cent." This resolution has been rendered necessary owing to the extension lately of the water mains at Shaukiwan and the consequent increase in the area which is supplied with water. At present part of the area included in the boundaries I have indicated pays nine per cent.―seven per cent. on the ordinary assessment and two per cent. for water. The resolution I propose will render it possible to recover water rate from all the area now supplied with water.

The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.

Carried.

THE NATURALISATION OF ALIENS.

On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance authorizing the imposition of fees for the naturalization of aliens naturalized as British subjects within the limits of Hongkong was passed.

THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE, 1890.

On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to further amend the Magistrates Ordinance, 1890, was passed.

NATURALISATION ORDINANCES.

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The minutes of the previous meeting were read and

On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the first reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance for the naturalization of LO CHUNG PAK, alias LO YUEN POON, alias LO SHAU-U, was passed.

On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance for the naturalization of CHAN LI CHOY, alias CHAN CHUN CHUEN, was passed.

The Bill passed through Committee and was read a third time.

On the motion of the ATTORNEY GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance for the Naturalization of Leung Luk, alias Leung Cheung Soy, was passed.

The Bill passed through committee.

On the motion of the ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Li Chung, alias Li Chau Shing, was passed.

The Bill passed through committee.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL said―I do not propose that this Bill be read a third time to-day. Dr. Ho Kai thinks further enquiries should be made before the Bill is passed. Under these circumstances I propose that the third reading of this Bill and of the previous Bill be deferred pending the result of the enquiry. I do not think there will be any difficulty.

ADJOURNMENT.

The Council then adjourned until the 12th of September. ———

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.

adopted as a correct record.

The following recommendation of H. E. the Acting Governor was submitted:―"To vote a sum of two thousand dollars ($2,000) in aid of the following votes in the Police Department:― (1) coal, oil, &c., for launches, $1,300.00; (2) purchase and repair of boats, $700.00; total, $2,000.00."

The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY―With regard to the first item, the increase there is on account of the extra use of a launch for quarantine duty by day and night and of an extra launch on plague duty by day to remove the dead and sick to Kowloon and on account of the price of coal. Item 2 follows on the first, the heavier work of the launch necessitating more repairs.

The sum was voted.

The following recommendation of H. E. the Acting Governor was submitted:―"To vote a sum of six thousand dollars ($6,000) in aid of the following votes:―(1) maintenance of waterworks, city of Victoria and hill district, $3,000; (2) road from Plantation Road to Magazine Gap, $3,000; total, $6,000."

The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY said― In regard to these two items, the first is required on account of the increased consumption of water in the hill district and the enhanced price of coal required to pump it, and also in consequence of the making of new filter beds on Bowen road and on account of an extraordinary leakage repair made to the Pokfulam service reservoir. The second item is required on account of the retaining wall constructed east of Plantation road station, it having been found necessary to use cement rather than lime mortar.

The vote was agreed to.

The proceedings then terminated.

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