1899-10-11 — Page 1

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

11TH OCTOBER, 1899.

PRESENT:―

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

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

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

The Hon J. H. STEWART LOCKHART C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary).

Hon. H. E. POLLOCK (Acting Attorney-General). Hon. R. MURRAY RUMSEY (Harbour Master).

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

Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer.)

Hon. R. D. ORMSBY (Director of Public Works.) Hon. C. P. CHATER, C.M.G.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI.

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

Hon. WEI A YUK.

Hon. J. J. KESWICK.

Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of Councils.) FINANCIAL.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table financial returns accompanying the draft Estimates for and also financial minutes Nos. 16 to 18 and moved that the financial minutes be referred to the Finance Committee.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was carried.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee No. 5 and moved its adoption.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Hon. C. P. CHATER―Your Excellency, in the absence of my honourable friend Mr. Whitehead, I beg on his behalf to ask the questions one to four, and to substitute for Nos. 5 and 6 the following:―

(5.)―Will the honourable the Harbour Master inform the Council of the circumstances under which the Government refused clearance to the steamship Tarter on 15th September last and granted clearance to the said steamship on 14th idem without her having added in any way in Hongkong to her life-saving appliances.

(6)―How was it that the Government was not sooner informed of the presence in and around Taipohu of two to there thousand armed Chinese with guns entrenched and in position; and what precautions, if any, were taken to find out the actual condition of the Chinese on the borders of and in the New Territory between Mirs Bay and Deep Bay hefore ordering luncheon for a large number of invited guests. effecting insurance on the steamer Hankow for the trip to Mirs Bay which did not take place, and making elaborate arrangements for the opening ceremony at which it was proposed to hoist the British flag at Taipohu on 17th April last. all which arrangements, after considerable expenditure was incurred thereon, had at the last moment to be abandoned.

The following are the questions one to four:―

(1.)―With reference to the Honourable The Colonial Secretary's reprort, dated 8th October, 1898, on the extension of the Colony, which under Expenditure reads:―"The cost of administering the New Territory is estimated at $125,000. The chief items are:―Police $33,223, Surveyors $14,400, Miscellaneous $24,6 7, total $72,28). When the work of survey has been completed such a large staff of surveyors will be unnecessary, but it is important, as has been pointed out, that the land under cultivation should be surveyed as quickly as possible. Miscellaneous expenditure has been estimated at a high figure, as unforeseen expenses are sure to be large when the territory is first taken over," will the Honourable Member inform the Council how and upon what basis the said estimate was arrived at, and state whether the Honourable The Captain Superintendent of Police was satisfied that the said estimate of $33,223 per annum would be adequate to efficiently police the New Territory, seeing that in the statement of expenditure in connection with the New Territory for 1898 laid upon the table to-day

the grand total of expenditure amounts to no less than $346,629.17, of which the police expenditure, actual and estimated, for April to December, 1898, is $88,972.10?

(2.)―Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary lay upon the table a statement showing the expenditure incurred by the Colonial Government in consequence of the rebellious disturbances and the armed Chinese opposition to British occupation of the Territory leased by by the Imperial Chinese Government per the June Convention of last year?

(3.)―With reference to Financial Minute No. 12 in which the Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of $91,500 to cover the cost of three steam launches required by the Police in the waters of the New Territory, will the Honourable The Harbour Master inform the Council:―(1.)―Whether tenders for the construction of the launches have been invited from the various shipbuilding institutions in the Colony? (2.)―If so, has any tender been accepted and if accepted what will be the cost of the respective launches? (3.)―What are the sizes of the hulls and the engines? (4.)―Will they be composite built or will the frames be of hard wood? (5.)―If of the latter will the curved frames be natural or cut from straight timber? (6.) ―Whether launches with frames of wood are more costly than those with steel frames?

(4.)―Will His Excellency the Governor appoint a day for the election, by such Ratepayers as are included in the Special and Common Jury Lists and also by such Ratepayers as are exempted from serving on Juries on account of their professional avocations, of two Members to fill the vacancies in the Sanitary Board in accordance with Sections 4 and 5 of the Public Health Ordinance No. 24 of 1887, and will His Excellency the Governor appoint one European and two Chinese Members to the Sanitary Board in accordance with section 4 of the Public Health Ordinance No. 24 of 1887?

The COLONIAL SECRETARY―The answer to the first question is that the estimate was based on the assumption that the territory to be taken over was peaceable and law abiding, and that village constables, as pointed out in my report, would aid in the policing of the extended area. Events since this territory has been taken over show that a larger regular force is necessary. The estimate was made by me, and the Captain Superintendent of Police is not responsible for it. In answer to the second question I beg to refer the honourable member to the statement of expenditure an account of the New Territory which was laid on the table at the last meeting of Council.

The HARBOUR MASTER―In reply to the third question I beg to state as follows:― (1.) Yes. Tenders were invited from three local Firms. (2.) Yes. The total cost of the three vessels will be $91,100. In the interests of the contractors it is not proposed to give the respective cost of each vessel. (3.) The sizes of the hulls and engines are as follows:―(1.)

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Hull 120 ft. x 20 ft. x 10 ft. Engines of sufficient size to obtain the guaranteed speed. (2.) Hull 83ft. x 14ft. x 9ft. Engines: Cylinders 11 in. and 22 in., Stroke 14 in. (3) Hull. 75 ft. x 13 ft. x 8 ft. Engines: Cylinders 11 in. and 22 in. Stroke 12 in. (4.) The frames will be hard wood. (5.) The frames will be cut partly from natural crooks and partly from straight timber. (6.) As the Government does not intend building composite vessels it is not in possession of the information necessary for replying to the question.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY―The answer to the fourth question is. Not at present, His Excellency the Governor is considering the matter.

The HARBOUR MASTER―In reply to the fifth question I beg to state as follows:―The passenger certificate allowed for 741 passengers and the number given as being on board was in excess of this. The Harbour Master was, therefore, obliged by law to refuse clearance. When he was informed later that the necessary life-saving apparatus for the larger number was on board, he at once granted clearance.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY―The answer to the sixth question is―The answer to the first part of the question is because they were not there before the 15th. The answer to the latter part is that the precaution was taken of observing the attitude of the inhabitants towards workmen at Taipohu and survey parties, which was apparently quite friendly, in addition to which nine elders of the district waited upon the Governor on the 12th April and expressed on behalf of the people in general their regret for what had occurred on the 1st April and declared that the false reports having been refuted the people had become more settled.

WORK IN THE NEW TERRITORY.

The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ― With your permission, sir, I beg to move that the following proposed works be referred to the Public Works Committee for report:―(1) Extension of telephone to Pingshan and Un Loong; (2) Police Station (permanent) at Starling Inlet; (3) Police Station at Saikung; (4) Police Station at Tsinwan; (5) Police Station at Shatin.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

THE ESTIMATES―SPEECH BY

THE GOVERNOR.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR―I have the honour to submit for your consideration the Estimates for the coming year, and in doing so I venture after the usual custom to make a few observations on the position of the colony. But first, I take this earliest public opportunity that has presented itself to express my acknowledgments

for the cordial manner in which Lady Blake and I have been received by the community of this important colony. The ten months that have elapsed since my assumption of the government have been months fraught with exceptional anxiety and responsibility. Under the Convention between Her Majesty the Queen and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China. the area of twenty-nine square miles that has hitherto been the extent of the colony was increased by a lease for ninety-nine years of an area of four hundred square miles. with an estimated population of 100,000. It was assumed that the knowledge of the just treatment of the Chinese inhabitants of Hongkong and British Kowloon would induce the population of the leased area to accept the jurisdiction of Great Britain with equanimity, if not with pleasure. Had it been possible to take over the possession immediately this assumption might have been verified. But there were unavoidable delays. The question of delimitation had to be settled, and when a tentative arrangement had been arrived at it was found that there was an unfortunate misconception on the part of the Chinese Government as to the effect of the Convention upon the position of the Chinese Imperial Customs anthorities who had hitherto exercised jurisdiction within the leased area. At the earnest request of Her Majesty's Minister in Peking I deferred the taking over of the Territory until the 17th April, completing in the meantime the necessary arrangements for the carrying out of executive functions. Unhappily, the interval was taken advantage of by agitators who disturbed the minds of the people by statements that their lands would be forcibly taken from them and their most cherished customs forbidden. The first symptoms of hostility were shown on the 31st March when the building of a mat-shed at Taipohu was prevented, and the men engaged in erecting boundary posts were stopped from working. I saw the Viceroy on the 2nd April at Canton and pointed out that if protection was not afforded to working parties and surveying parties I could not adhere to my undertaking not to take over the Territory until the 17th. The necessary protection was promised, and surveying parties were not molested, nor was the rebuilding of the mat-shed prevented. What took place on the 15th of April and following days has already been laid before you. The resistance having been overcome I have endeavoured to satisfy the people that they may safely depend upon British justice, and that no man's property will be confiscated, and I have no doubt that the people will soon recognize this. Apart from the question of resistance to our occupation, it was found that the inhabitants suffered from frequent attacks by armed bands of robbers against whom the village watchmen were powerless, and there was a general indication of lawlessness not uncommon in South

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China. This necessitated a reconsideration of the Police Force necessary to secure that protection that we are bound to afford. The original estimate has been largely increased, and stations have been established at important points of sufficient strength to repel armed attack and furnish the necessary patrols. I am glad to say that the efforts of the Police have so far shewn satisfactory results, for of the twenty-seven cases of armed robbery reported from the New Territory twenty-two persons have been convicted and are suffering long terms of imprisonment. I hope to see a salutary change of conditions within a short time and to be in a position to reduce the strength of the various police stations.

Simultaneously with the troubles that developed in the New Territory there arose a much more serious danger. In the beginning of April. the plague was again upon us, and notwithstanding the unwearied exertions of the Sanitary Board and its staff, it increased in intensity and virulence all through the summer, and has only ceased its ravages with the beginning of the present month. This year there have been 1,471 cases of which 1,413 have proved fatal. the percentage of deaths being the highest on record. Feeling the overwhelming importance to the community of eradicating this scourge if possible, I have watched the operations of the sanitary staff with the keenest anxiety. Before the disease appeared, as it was assumed that plague was primarily propagated by rats, a Committee was appointed consisting of the Captain Superintendent of Police. the Medical Officer of Health, and the Government Analyst to wage war upon the rats by poison or traps. or both, and the necessary funds were placed at their dispo al. They appealed to the Chinese for assistance and made every effort to destroy the rats, but I believe they were not very successful. When the epidemic was at its height I satisfied myself by frequent personal inspection that the scavengers and the sanitary staff were doing their duty. The streets and lanes were perfectly clean, and whole streets filled furniture while the houses were being limewashed and disinfected bore evidence to the activity of the sanitary staff. Yet nothing seemed to stay the onward progress of the plague, until at last it has died out in the usual course, having lingered here rather longer than in other cities of South China where no such precautions were taken. An Insabitary Dwellings Bill had already been presented to you. During the summer it has been carefully reconsidered, and in its amended form it will be again presented to you to-day. A return has been made of all the cases of plague during the present year with all the information available that possibly may throw light upon the causes of the disease. It we can decide upon the causes, no expenditure within the reach of the colony would be too great to

secure the blessing of freedom from such a scourge; but in considering the Bill it is well that you should be in possession of facts on which to form an opinion rather than be guided by assumptions that, however strougly held. afford no sound basis upon which measures should be adopted involving probably very large expense to the colony.

I am happy to be able to congratulate you upon the general state of the commerce of the colony. I have it on most excellent authority that business was never in a sounder condition and the commercial energy of the community was never more apparent. At the same time trade has suffered and is suffering from the disturbed state of the Southern provinces and the prevalence of piracy on the West River. The attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the great injury done to the trade of this Colony, and His Excellency the Admiral Commanding on this Station has despatched a gunboat up the West River to protect British interests, but I am convinced that the best protection to the interests of the commerce of this Colony would be the faithful carrying out by the Chinese Government of the Agreement made with Her Majesty's Minister at Peking for the opening of the West River under the Inland Steam Navigation Regulations as first proposed and agreed upon. I have had great pleasure in forwarding the letters of the Chamber of Commerce on this most important subject to the Secretary of the State for the Colonies. Notwithstanding the disabilities under which trade is hampered on the West River, the returns show a satisfactory increase both in foreign and junk-borne traffic, the number of foreign built vessels entering and clearing being 7,982 with 10,155.993 tons as compared with 8,831 ships with 9,948.242 tons in 1898, and of 55,882 junks with 3,373.210 tons as conpared with 49,517 junks with 2,933,714 tons in 1898.

I regret to say that the Police statistics show a considerable increase in the number of serious crimes, the total number from the 1st January to the 31st August being 2,110 as against 1,920 for the same period last year. The returns show an especially large proportionate increase in the serious crimes of robbery and house-breaking, the increase in the former being due to the cases in the New Territory to which I have already alluded. The Captain Superintendent of Police attributes the general increase of crime te the number of vacancies in the Police Force and the disturbed condition of the neighbouring provinces of China, On the other hand, there has been an entire absence of the gang robberies so frequent in the past in the City of Victoria. Every effort is being made to obtain recruits from home for the Police Force.

The revenue for 1900 is estimated at $3,325,479 and the expenditure at $3,219,859, leaving an estimated balance of $105,620. In estimating the

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expenditure the dollar has been taken at 1/11. The Estimates have been prepared with caution, and with a rigid regard for economy. The various items of increased expend ture will be fully explained in Committee. The estimate of Public Works Extraordinary amounts to $331,100, or $163,000 less than the approved Estimate of last year, but it still remains $96,000 more than the amount actually expended in 1898. The works estimated for are those that I consider most pressing, and the amounts are as large as can prudently be placed upon an estimate of expenditure based upon the revenue as shown in these Estimates; but, as the financial statement accompanying the Estimates will show. I hope to have at the end of the current year, including a balance, in round figures, of $90,000 brought forward from last year, a surplus of about $400,000 over the actual expenditure, which will justify me in submitting to you votes for further expenditure upon those works that appear in the Estimates, or for such other pressing works as have been approved by the Public Works Committee. The most pressing public work at the present moment is the building for the New Law Courts, which blocks the way for the improvement of the Post Office, a building entirely insufficient and unsuited for the postal requirements of the Colony. The plans for the Law Courts were returned on January 21st to London with some suggestions for improvements. I have written urging that they shall be sent out with the least possible delay. The question of the construction of the Jubilee Road round Mount Davis has been referred to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and as His Excellency Major-General Gascoigne has somewhat modified his views as to the military inexpediency of the road in deference to strong public feeling in its favour, I think it probable that the construction of that section may be authorized, as the objection that prevented my authority being given was entirely military. If those new and important works be undertaken it appears to me that the Public Works Department will have as much work on its hands as can be satisfactorily managed without considerable additions to the present staff.

The only other item that calls for especial notice is the increase of the vote for the expense of the Volunteers from $12,000 to $30,000. This increase is due mainly to an increase in the number of the Corps from 185 to 304. The Corps now forms a valuable addition to the effective armed forces of the colony. In April last the regiment gave timely and valuable assistance, and its patriotic spirit has lately been shown by an offer to the Imperial Government of two officers and fifty men for active service in South Africa should unhappily hostilities be forced upon us. While the military authorities have not been able to accept their services I have been requested to convey to

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the Hongkong Volunteers the high appreciation by Her Majesty's Government of the loyal patriotism that prompted the

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I beg to move the first

offer―an appreciation that will, I feel certain, be shared by every member of the community. (Applause.)

The following Bills will be submitted to you: ―An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Two million Six hundred and Eighty-one thousand Six hundred and Fifty-one dollars to the Public Service of the year 1900. An Ordinance to make further provision for the sanitation of the colony and to repeal certain enactments of the Closed Houses and Insanitary Dwellings ordinance, 1894. An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Sin Hip Pan, alias Sin Shü Fan, alias Sin Shiu Kin, alias Sin Ping Kim. An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Kwok Yung Kam alias Kwok Tò Kai alias Kwok Yung. An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Ho Shun Tò alias Ho Kwan Yuk, alias Ho Ping Un, alias Ho Tsoi. An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Hu Choo, alias Hu Shun Ts'un, alias Hu Ping Fong, alias Hu Nai Kwai. An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Lò Kún Ting, alias Lò Fo, alias Lò Ching Chiu, alias Lò Tiu Fui. An Ordinance to amend the Vagrancy Ordinance, 1897. An Ordinance to amend the Rating Ordinance, 1888. An Ordinance to amend the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1889. An Ordinance to amend "The Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1897." I commend them to your most careful consideration. Again, I congratulate you on the abounding prosperity of the Colony, and I earnestly hope that your deliberations may tend to the welfare and progress of the community.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR―It is my duty to appoint the following committees.―

Finance―The Hon the Colonial Secretary (chairman) and the whole of the rest of the Council with the exception of the Governor.

Law―The Hon Attorney-General (chairman) and the Hon. J. J. Keswick, the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, the Hon. E. R. Belilios, and the Hon. Wei A Yuk.

PUBLIC WORKS―The Hon. Director of Public Works (chairman), the Hon. Colonial Treasurer, the Hon, C. P. Chater, the Hon. E, R. Belilios, and the Hon. T. H. Whitehead.

THE APPROPRIATION BILL.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY―I have the honour to move the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Two million Six hundred and Eighty-one thousand Six hundred and Fifty-one Dollars to the Public Service of the year 1900. In moving this first reading, I beg to lay on the table the papers which usually accompany this Bill.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and the motion was carried.

THE INSANITARY PROPERTIES BILL.

reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to make further provision for the Sanitation of the Colony and to repeal certain enactments of the Closed Houses and Insanitary Dwellings Ordinance, 1894. I may mention, sir, that this Bill takes the places of a Bill which was read a first time in November last year, and that it is not proposed to proceed further with that Bill.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was carried.

NATURALIZATION.

The following Bills passed their second reading and went into Committee and were read a third time and passed:―

Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Sin Hip Pan, alias Sin Shu Fan, alias Sin Shiu Kin, alias Sin Ping Kim.

Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Kwok Yung Kam alias Kwok To Kai alias Kwok Ying.

Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Ho Shun T'o, alias Ho Kwan Yuk, alias Ho Ping Un, alias Ho Tsoi.

Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Hu Choo, alias Hu Shun Ts'un, alias Hu Ping Fong, alias Hu Nai Kwai.

Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Lo Kun Ting, alias Lo Fo, alias Lo Ching Chiu, alias Lo Tin Fui.

THE VAGRANCY ORDINANCE.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I beg to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Vagrancy Ordinance, 1897. As honourable members will see from the "objects and reasons" attached to the Bill, this Bill has been framed in accordance with instructions which have been received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies in consequence of certain representations which were made to him by the Board of Trade. Clause 2 of this Bill effects rather an important amendment to Ordinance 25 of 1897 by substituting a new clause for clause C of section 21 of that Bill. As clause C of that Bill stands the shipmaster would be liable for the costs and charges as a vagrant of any sailor other than a Chinese who is discharged from a ship in this colony if such person becomes a vagrant within a period of six months from the date of his arrival in the colony, altogether irrespective of the fact whether the shipmaster had properly discharged that sailor with the sanction of the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office or his Deputy, and also altogether irrespective of the fact whether the shipmaster had made reasonable provision for the subsistence of that sailor who was discharged from his ship. I think it was not unreasonably considered by shipowners that that is rather a hardship upon the masters of ships and accordingly the

Board of Trade approached the Secretary of State in this matter with the result that it is proposed now, with the sanction of the Secretary of State, to introduce a new clause C to section 21, the new clause being clause 2 of this Bill. Honourable members will see that an amendment is made in the term "sailor," "seaman" being subst tuted. The object of that is to include any person employed or engaged in any capacity on board ship (except masters, pilots, and apprentices) and not merely persons engaged in the navigation of the ship. The first amendment made by clause 3 of the Bill is explained in the statement of objects and reasons and I do not think I need trouble the Council with any remarks upon it. The second amendment made by clause 3 is of some importance, because it fees the shipmaster from his present responsibility for the solvency of any person other than a Chinese whom he lands during a period of six months after he has landed them. As section 22 of Ordinance 25 of 1897 now stands it holds the shipmaster responsible for a period of six months, and that period has been struck out. With these observations, sir, I beg to move the second reading of the Bill.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Bill having been considered clause by clause in Committee it was read a third time and passed.

THE RATING ORDINANCE.

The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL―I beg, sir, to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Rating Ordinance, 1888.

The COLONIAL TREASURER, in seconding, said―The Bill was introduced at my suggestion on account of a recent decision of the Pnisne Judge in the Supreme Court with regard to lifts. The Puisne Judge held that a lift was machinery within the meaning of the Ordinance, and that as such it was not ratable, nor were the improvements arising from the use of that lift. We thought it was rather hard that a building should be rated for very much less than its proper value, and that is the object of the Bill.

Carried.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL―(who having looked through the Bill thought the wording required further consideration)―I propose we go into committee on this Bill at the next meeting of the Council.

CROWN LANDS RESUMPTION ORDINANCE.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I beg to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1889. Honourable members will see from the "objects and reasons" attached to the Bill that the object of clause 2 of this Bill is to amend the preamble to Ordinance 23 of 1889 in such a way as to make it clear that the acquisition or resumption of land or buildings may be effected for any "public purpose" as define I by clause 3 of this Bill. The

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object of the amendment introduced by sub-section (i.) of clause 3 of this Bill is to make it clear that the expression "land" includes buildings, and also to clear up any possible ambiguity as to Ordinance 23 of 1889 being capable of application to the New Territories. The object of sub section (ii.) of clause 3 of this Bill is―(a.) to make it clear that resumption includes acquisition, and (b.) to define what is meant by a "public purpose." Clause 4 of the Bill introduces a small amendment in the language of section 3 of Ordinance 23 of 1889 which is required for the purpose of bringing the wording of that section into line with section 14. Clause 5 of the Bill introduces a small amendment in section 14 of Ordinance 23 of 1889 with the object of bringing that section into line with the definition contained in clause 3 of this Bill.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Bill having been considered in committee clause by clause was read a third time and passed.

THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL―Your Excellency, since the last meeting of the Council the Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1897, has been reprinted with all the amendments made in Committee and circulated to honourable members. Unless it is the desire of any honourable member that the Bill should be further considered, I propose to move the third reading as it stands. I beg to propose the third reading of the Bill.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was carried and the Bill read a third time and passed.

THE ADJOURNMENT.

His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR―I adjourn the Council until this day fortnight so that members will have an opportunity of considering the Estimates in the meantime. If at the end of that time honourable members require any further time for consideration I shall be very glad to meet their views. But I hope that by the end of that time you will have had time to consider the Estimates.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding. The following recommendations of His Excellency the Governor were agreed to:―

To vote a sum of one thousand and three hundred dollars in aid of the vote "Steam-launches, other charges."

The CHAIRMAN explained that the Harbour Master reported an increased expenditure of

coal this year necessitating an increase in the vote.

To vote a sum of one hundred and fifty-five thousand five hundred and twenty-nine dollars to cover expenses incurred in the New Territory for the current year.

The CHAIRMAN explained that honourable members would remember that at the last meet-of the Council but one, a statement of expenditure actual and estimated for the year 1899 in connection with the new Territory was laid on the table, and that such estimate amounted to $346,629,17. Of that sum $ for general expenditure and $91,100 for launches making a total of 191,100 had already been voted by

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the Council and the object of the the vote of to-day was to supply the balance.

To vote a sum of two thousand dollars in aid of the vote "Maintenance of Sewers."

The CHAIRMAN observed that the engineer in charge of sewers stated that the extension of sewers in all parts of the city had rapidly gone ahead, and that in the early part of the year 159 broken gulley traps were replaced by new ones at a cost of $1,000. There had also been a great deal of trouble owing to the roots of trees going into the sewers, and particular attention had been given to the sewers during the epidemic of plague.

This was all the business.