1898-12-30 — Page 1

PRESENT:—

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30TH DECEMBER, 1898.

The objects and reasons of the Bill are thus stated:—

His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.).

His EXCELLENCY Major-General GASCOIGNE, C.M.G. (Officer Commanding the Troops).

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

Hon. H. E. POLLOCK (Acting Attorney-General). 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 A YUK.

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

MAJOR-GENERAL GASCOIGNE TAKES THE OATH.

His Excellency Major-General Gascoigne having taken the oath. His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR observed to him—I am glad to have you as a member of the Legislative Council, and have pleasure in welcoming you.

MINUTES.

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

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The report of the Finance Committee (No. 9) was laid on the table and adopted, on the motion of the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER.

AMENDING THE WATERWORKS ORDINANCE. The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL—I rise to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Waterworks Ordinances, 1890 to 1897. As honourable members will see from the Bill, it is purely an amending Ordinance, and the objects and reasons for the passing of this Ordinance are stated at the foot of the Bill, which has been circulated among honourable members. If there is any question which any member would like to ask in committee I shall be pleased to answer it. This Ordinance has been brought forward by me in consequence of certain points which were raised by the Honourable the Director of Public Works. The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Council then went into committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. No alterations were made in committee, and on Council resuming, the Bill was read a third time and passed on the motion of the ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

The reason for section 2 of this Bill arises under the following circumstances. It sometimes happens that there is good cause for stopping the supply to one or two houses in a terrace comprising, say ten houses in all, all of which are supplied through one connection with the main, a branch being led into each house from what may be termed a subsidiary main laid along the terrace. The only means of stopping the supply without entering on private property would be by shutting the valve or stop cock which controls the supply to the whole terrace of houses. Hence arises the necessity for empowering the Water Authority to enter upon private property for the purpose of disconnecting or otherwise dealing with the service of water to the particular house or houses in question. Section 3 of this Bill is intended to remove a doubt which had been suggested as to whether a water service to a garden not used for purposes of pecuniary profit would come strictly under the heading of non domestic supply. Sections 4 and 5 of the Bill are intended to remove doubts as to the power to charge for connecting a water-service supply with the water-works or for fixing meters. Section 6 is intended to legalize, if and so far as they require legalizing, any payments made under the various sections of the Waterworks Ordinances which are amended by sections 3 to 5, inclusive, of this Ordinance.

NATURALISATION.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL—I beg to move the second reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance for the Naturalisation of Wong Shu Tong, alias Wong Ka Yau, alias Wong Wing Kwan. As honourable members will see from the recitals in the Bill, the gentleman whom it is proposed to naturalise is now employed as comparadore to the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company at Victoria, in this Colony, and is a partner in the I SHANG firm, carrying on business as coal merchants at No. 68, Praya Central at Victoria aforesaid, and owns considerable landed property in this colony. He has resided in this colony for the last forty years, and has declared his intention of residing here permanently, and has petitioned to be naturalized as a British subject, within the limits of this colony.

The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Bill, having been considered in committee and no amendments having been made in committee, was read a third time and passed.

ADJOURNMENT.

The Council then adjourned sine die. His Excellency the GOVERNOR wishing all present a very happy new year.