1898-12-22 — Page 1

PRESENT:—

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22ND DECEMBER, 1898.

The report (No. 8) of the Finance Committee was

His EXCELLENCY Major-General Black, C.B., Officer Commanding the Troops.

Hon. T. SERCOMBE SMITH (Acting Colonial Secretary).

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. WEI YUK.

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

On taking the chair in the absence through indisposition of His Excellency the Governor (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.),

His EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL BLACK remarked—Good afternoon, gentlemen. This is really the final appearance.

MINUTES.

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

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

His EXCELLENCY — The following standing committees are apopinted in the ensuing order:— Finance. — The Hon. the Colonial Secretary (chairman), and the whole of the rest of the Council, with the exception of the Governor (members). Law.—The Hon. Attorney-General (chairman), the Hon. J. J. Bell-Irving, the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, and Hon. Wei A Yuk (members).

Public Works.—The Hon. Director of Public Works (chairman), the Hon. Colonial Treasurer, the Hon. C. P. Chater, and the Hon. T. H. Whitehead (members).

THE RECENT EPIDEMIC OF BUBONIC PLAGUE. The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table a report on the recent epidemic of bubonic plague in Hongkong.

FINANCIAL.

Financial minute No. 23 was submitted, and on the motion of the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, the same was referred to the Finance Committee.

submitted, and on the motion of the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, the same was adopted.

AMENDING THE WATERWORKS ORDINANCE. The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—In the absence of the Hon. Attorney-General I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entiled an Ordinance to amend the Waterworks Ordinance, 1890 to 1897.

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS seconded, and the motion was carried.

NATURALIZATION.

On the motion of the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, the first reading of a Bill entited an Ordinance for the naturalization of Wong Shu Tong alias Wong Ka Yau alais Wong Wing Kwan was passed.

HIS EXCELLENCY—A meeting of the Finance Committee will now take place. I wish you every success in your labours.

The Council then adjourned.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

THE EXPENSES OF THE POST OFFICE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee then took place, the Acting Colonial Secretary presiding. The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY—The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of $29,150 to meet the expenses of the Post Office for 1898. I will enter upon detail a little in regard to the various items included in this vote. The first item is personal emoluments paid for branch offices $1,110. Second, incidental assistances in Hongkong —two extra sorters from military—$208. Incidental expenses at Hongkong—cost of altering branch post offices, cost of altering registration office, rent for branch offices, ferry tickets—$1,900. Incidental expenses at agencies $200. Coals for launch $200. Repairs to launch $232 in excess, the amount in the estimates this year being $600. Transit charges $23,000. Share of mail subsidy $3,500, this amount being under-estimated. Cost of stamps $2,000. This gives a total of $32,350, estimated saving $3,200, in other items, making the total amount required $29,150.

The vote was agreed to.

This ended the business.