1901-09-26 — Page 1

PRESENT:─

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26TH SEPTEMBER, 1901.

Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative Council─ As

His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir HENRY BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).

Hon. Col. L. F. BROWN, R.E. (Commanding the Troops).

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

Hon. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C. (Acting Attorney General).

Hon. Commander R. M. RUMSEY, R.N. (Harbour Master).

Hon. C. McI. MESSER (Acting Colonial Treasurer).

Hon. W. CHATHAM (Acting Director of Public Works).

Hon. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. C. P. CHATER, C.M.G.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD.

Hon. J. THURBURN.

Hon. J. J. BELL-IRVING.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI.

Hon. WEI A YUK.

Mr. C. CLEMENTI (Acting Clerk of Councils). NEW MEMBER.

Mr. A. W. BREWIN took the oath and his seat vice the Hon. F. H. May, C.M.G., on leave.

THE ESTIMATES.

H. E. the GOVERNOR said:─

is usual when laying the Estimates before you, it is well to take some account of the incidents of the past year affecting the Colony, to consider our position generally, and to render to you as far as can be done in a short statement an account of our stewardship. It is needless to say that the sad event that touched all our hearts most deeply was the death of our great and dearly loved Queen, for whom all the world has mourned, and to whose memory a great memorial, worthy I hope of the greatest among the great, is projected in London. Towards the cost of that memorial all the Colonies are contributing. Our people of Hongkong have with their usual liberality sub-scribed $77,860, to which sum I propose that this Council shall add $50,000─a proposal that I am certain will meet the approval of every member of the Council.

The war in South Africa, waged under circumstances of exceptional difficulty, and extending over an area nearly as large as the whole of South China east of Yunnan, has cost us many thousands of the flower of our people, who have laid down their lives in the most sacred of all duties─that of upholding the honour of their country. But their sacrifice has not been in vain, for the war, with all its tedious and trying incidents, has shown that the qualities of high courage and patient determination that have built up our Empire are as strong and dominant as at any period of our history, and it has demonstrated that the British Empire is not, as some have thought, a conglomeration of loosely bound protected countries, of Colonies restless under a centralised Government, and of subject natiosn yielding a sullen submission; but that wherever our flag floats, when the tocsin of war had sounded, the swords of free peoples leaped from their scabbards and the British Empire stood forth solid and compact with the fervour of patriotism throbbing as strongly at the extremities as in the heart of England.

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The serious troubles in the North of China have affected this Colony less than might have been expected. These troubles are yet too recent to enable us to form a fair estimate of their cause, and it may be that history will show that there have been grave faults and mistakes on both sides, but happily in the South we have been spared the horrors that have deluged some of the Northern provinces with blood, and I am glad to say that the relations of this Colony with Canton have never been more cordial.

During the past year the amount of shipping entering and clearing from the port was greater than at any period of its history, and the returns show that the financial position of the Colony is satisfactory. A grave local misfortune was experienced on the 9th November, when the Colony was visited by a typhoon, the disastrous result of which must be fresh in your memory. In that terrible night 10 launches and over junks were sunk in the harbour, and it is calculated that between Hongkong and Tai O over two hundred lives were lost. I wish to express here my admiration of the ready and abundant charity with which the inhabitants of every nationality relieved the distress of the sufferers.

I regret deeply that, notwithstanding the precautions taken in the early part of this year, plague re-appeared in the spring in epidemic form and raged with great violence during the summer months. The Medical Officer of Health and the Sanitary staff spared no exertions to check its ravages, but so far I fear that we cannot claim to have discovered either the prevention or the cure. It is, however, our plain duty to leave nothing untried that science can suggest to save the Colony from the recurring visitations of this disease, and I have no doubt that you will cheerfully grant the necessary funds to carry out any recommendations that may be made after examination by responsible experts. I have approached the Secretary of State for the Colonies on this subject, and have received an intimation that Mr. Osbert Chadwick, an eminent Sanitary Engineer, will come out at the end of the year to examine and report upon the sanitary condition of the Colony. I have no doubt that this will be agreeable to the people of Hongkong, who are naturally in a state of great anxiety on the subject of sanitation. It has also been intimated to me that a medical man with experience of the plague epidemic elsewhere will be sent to consult with the Medical Officers of the Colony. I hope most earnestly that the result of these visits may throw some light upon the causes of this annual visitation of plague and enable us to combat its attack with a greater measure of success. The telegrams that have passed on this subject will be laid on the table to-day. Outside the plague mortality, the death-rate of the Colony compares favourably with that of any Colony in the East, or any port in China. During the continuance of the epidemic the business of the port was seriously interfered with by the withdrawal from the

Colony of many thousands of Chinese who feared that in the event of their contracting the disease they could not, if they so desired, return to their homes. Representations were made on the subject by the Chamber of Commerce and by the inhabitants generally─representations to which I gave my strongest support ─but His Majesty's Government did not feel justified in assenting to any regulation under which plague patients could return to their homes. I hope, however, to be able to come to an arrangement with the Viceroy of the two Kwangs that will admit of the transfer under proper precautions of Chinese suffering from the disease who may desire to proceed to Canton for treatment, and thus relieve the anxiety that impelled so many of the Chinese to abandon for a time their occupations in this Colony.

Next to plague our most dangerous disease is malarial fever, which observation proves to be the result of inoculation by the anopheles mosquito. I have determined to enter upon the heavy task of training the nullahs flowing into the City of Victoria, and there have been for several months about 200 coolies employed in cutting the bush and filling the pools that harbour mosquitoes in the western nullahs.

The expenses of the New Territory are still very heavy, and so far the revenue has not nearly come up to the estimate. The reason of this is that the land revenue cannot be satisfactorily collected until the cadastral survey has been made and the lands demarcated. The difficulty will then disappear. The expenditure has been for the construction of the Taipo Road now approaching completion to Taipo Hu, for police stations, for police launches to patrol the two hundred miles of coast, for the survey, and for the Land Court, in whose hands the settlement of land claims is placed. These expenses could not have been avoided, and when the country begins to develop the expenses will be amply repaid.

The present financial position of the Colony is satisfactory. On the 31st December, 1900, the assets of the Colony showed a balance over liabilities of $1,100,785.69, which does not include the value of silver at the Mint, amounting to $40,415.82. This balance it is anticipated will be still further increased by $358,295.94, the estimated balance of revenue over expenditure in 1901, which will thus increase the assets to $1,499,497.45.

The loan account of £341,799.15.1, to be paid off in 1943, had £16,485.13.2 to the credit of the Sinking Fund

The revenue for 1900 was $4,202,587.40, and the expenditure was $3,628,447.13. Taking the revenue of five years ago at $2,609,878,94 and the expenditure exclusive of the interest

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and Sinking Fund of the Loan at , these figures show that in five years the revenue has increased by 61 per cent. and the expenditure by 565/8 per cent.

Turning to the Estimates now placed before you, it will be seen that the estimated revenue amounts to $4,605,965, and the estimated expenditure, including Public Works Extraordinary, to $4,560,505.26. The memorandum accompanying the Estimates for 1902 explains in detail the reasons for the anticipated increases and decreases in the various items of Revenue. 1/111/2 has been taken as the rate of exchange for sterling payments.

The Land Revenue of the New Territory is estimated at $30,000. It is expected that this sum will be realised, but, as I have already explained, the true revenue of that portion of the Colony cannot be hoped for until the survey has been completed and the land claims decided. As to the details of expenditure, every department shows an increase on its establishment. This is due to the increase in the pay of subordinate officers of the Service as recommended by the Committee appointed last year, and to additions to the staff of certain departments. There seems to be a general impression that certain departments─the Public Works, the Post Office, the Medical Department, and the Sanitary Department─are being unduly curtailed as regards funds, or personnel, or both. It may therefore be interesting to contrast the annual expenditure on these departments in 1896, in 1900, and in present Estimates.

during which time he has devoted himself to inquiry into the working of the department in England, and he will, I am certain, be ably seconded by Mr. Lewis, who has discharged the duties of Acting Postmaster-General very satisfactorily during the absence of Commander Hastings.

I have also considered the state of the Medical Department, and have decided to increase the staff at once by making provision in the Estimates for two Assistant Surgeons, one of whom will be employed as Second Health Officer of the Port in accordance with the recommendation of the Chamber of Commerce. Should it be found that any further addition to the Sanitary staff is necessary, I shall appeal to you with confidence for the necessary funds. Apart from the staff, it is not improbable that very large sums will have to be expended in the near future in the Sanitary improvement of the City─sums that will absorb our balance and probably involve increased taxation. Happily the taxation of the Colony is comparatively light, and in a matter of such moment I feel that I can depend upon you to supply the necessary funds. The estimate for Public Works Extraordinary amounts to the large sum of $802,316.68; of this sum $146,000 is for waterworks and $82,000 for extension of markets, while $79,000 is for the improved accommodation for the Police, which will tend to improve the comfort and efficiency of the Force.

BILLS.

The following Bills will be submitted to you:─

Public Works.

Post

Office.

Medical. Sanitary.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding three million seven hundred and thirty

1896.... $85,694.1 0

$188,201.1 7

$109,763. 19

$94,818.4 5

nine thousand three hundred and twelve dollars and twenty-six cents to the Public Service of the year

1900.... 123,306.0 0

1901.... 138,701.0 0

269,480.00 130,134.0 0

285,294.00 146,666.0 0

152,993.0 0

190,083.0 0

1902.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend An Ordinance entitled the Weights and Measures Ordinance, 1885 (No. 8 of 1885).

As regards the Public Works Department, the Acting Director of Public Works reports that the staff is not sufficiently strong to carry out the various works and duties entrusted to it. Provision has therefore been made in the Estimates for two additional engineers. It is my intention to appoint a Commission to report upon the staff and working of the Public Works Department, which is the chief spending department of the Colony.

With respect to the Post Office, every effort is being made to render that institution worthy of the Colony. It must be evident that here there are exceptional difficulties to contend against, but it is hoped that the comparatively few complaints received of late may be an indication that matters are working more smoothly. The Postmaster-General, Commander Hastings, has just returned from leave,

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the New Territories Land Court Ordinance, 1900 (No. 18 of 1900).

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Public Health Ordinance, 1901 (No. 13 of 1901).

A Bill entitled An Ordinance relating to Copyright in Works of the Fine Arts, and for repressing the commission of fraud in the production and sale of such works.

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 15 of 1887, and to remove any doubts as to the validity of any matters done under it.

From my experience I know that these and all

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other measures laid before you will receive conscientious and careful consideration.

PAPERS.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table a report by the Medical Officer of Health on the epidemic of bubonic fever (plague) during the half-year ending 30th June, 1901, and a report as to the professional supervision of building works, which was discussed at a meeting held on the 5th inst. of civil engineers, architects, and surveyors representing the

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firms in the Colony which have been in practice for the longest period. The following papers were also laid on the table:─Financial Statement for 1900; Report by the Registrar-General on the Census of the Colony for 1901; and Telegrams regarding the Appointment of Sanitary Experts.

FINANCIAL.

On the motion of the COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, Financial Minutes Nos. 57 to 59 were referred to the Finance Committee.

On the motion of the COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER, the report of the Finance Committee (No. 9) was adopted.

QUEEN VICTORIA MEMORIAL FUND.

COLONIAL SECRETARY─Sir, I beg to move that this Council vote a sum of $50,000 in aid of the memorial to Her late Majesty Queen Victoria. No words of mine are necessary to commend this vote to hon. members. Hongkong was founded and flourished during the glorious reign of the late Queen, and it is therefore only natural, sir, that this Colony should desire to contribute towards a memorial intended to perpetuate the memory of one of the greatest Queens in British history, Victoria the Great and Good. (Applause.)

Hon. C. P. CHATER─Your Excellency, I have much pleasure in seconding the resolution just proposed, that the Colony should contribute out of its revenue the sum of $50,000 toward the erection of the proposed memorial in London to the late Queen Victoria. I do so with the more satsfaction because I was unfortunately prevented by indisposition from being present at the meeting held here on the 14th ult., and seconding the resolution in reference to the starting of the public subscription, which I am glad to see has reached such a creditable sum. As has already been remarked, it is most fitting that Hongkong, the first Colony acquired during the long and glorious reign of Queen Victoria of illustrious memory, should be worthily represented in any memorial of that reign. This city, if I mistake not, was the first to be named after Her late Majesty, and it is right that it should respond most liberally to the invitation extended to it. We have prospered much and grown into commercial greatness during the sixty odd years of Queen Victoria's beneficent rule, and I am sure we are only too happy to be permitted the opportunity of giving some, if inadequate, expression to that feeling of gratitude and veneration for a great and good Sovereign which is now afforded to us. I trust, sir, that the monument about to be erected will in every way be worthy of the late Queen. I see that it has been placed in good hands. The subject, however, is one of unusual difficulty,

but we hope that the sculptors and designers will rise to the unique occasion and create a marvel of beauty that shall impress coming generations and show them how this great Empire loved and honoured a wise ruler and noble Queen.

The vote was unanimously agreed to.

REPORT OF PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.

COLONIAL SECRETARY─I beg to lay upon the table the Report of the Public Works Committee (No. 5). With reference to the matters dealt with in that Report and in the communication from the civil engineers and architects, which I have already laid on the table, I have to inform the Council that they are under the consideration of the Government, and it is the intention of the Government to introduce shortly legislation dealing with those matters.

NEW SANITARY BYE-LAWS.

The ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ─Sir, I beg to move that the additional bye-laws for the prevention of epidemic, endemic, or contagious disease, made by the Sanitary Board under Section 13 of the Public Health Ordinance, No. 13 of 1901, be approved. These bye-laws, as will be remembered by hon. members, were before the Council at last meeting, and, as I then explained, the necessity for them arises in great measure from the practice that exists of dumping dead bodies in the streets, which renders it impossible for the Board at present to carry out the process of disinfection in the case of a house where such cases have occurred These bye-laws will enable the Board to carry out a general disinfection. There is at present no means of knowing the houses where the bodies come from, and the result is that these houses escape disinfection. With general disinfection that difficulty will be overcome, and it should tend to enable us to be in a more fit state to meet another epidemic of plague. I beg to move that the bye-laws be approved.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded.

COLONIAL SECRETARY─It may tend to shorten any discussion that may arise with regard to these bye laws if I inform hon. members, on behalf of the Government, that the question of compensation which arose at last meeting of Council has been very carefully considered, but it has been found impossible to fix any hard and fast rule. With regard to the amount of compensation to be granted, it has been decided by the Government that each claim for compensation as it arises shall be decided on its merits.

Hon. Dr. HO KAI─Do I understand that the Government, in the case of damage being done to furniture, will entertain any application for compensation, and as long as the application is fair

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and just compensation will be paid?

COLONIAL SECRETARY─In reply to the hon. member, I may state that the Government is prepared to consider each case on its merits, and if the case shows that compensation should be paid, such amount as is due will be paid.

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I trust this explanation will be considered satisfactory.

The motion was then put to the Council and carried.

FURTHER ADDITIONAL BYE-LAWS.

The ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS moved that the additional bye-laws for the disinfection of infected premises made by the Sanitary Board under Section 13 of the Public Health Ordinance, No. 13 of 1901, be approved. He said─No. 8 of the existing bye-laws is repealed and a new clause substituted, with a trifling variation in the wording, which, however, will have no serious effect on the clause. It was considered advisable by the Crown Solicitor, in going into the matter, to make some slight modification and, in one place where it states─"If the premises so visited or any part thereof shall be found in a dirty or insanitary condition, in the opinion of any such officer, he shall report the same

(5.) The number of prosecutions, if any, instituted as the result of the said enquiries; and

(6.) The causes, so far as ascertained, which have contributed to the tumbling down in each case, and, if the collapse of any or all of the buildings in question have resulted from defective construction, will the honourable member inform the Council:

(1.) What precautions, if any, have been taken to prevent the erection of such buildings in the future? and

(2.) What precautions, if any, have been taken to prevent a recurrence of a like calamity attended with such heavy loss of life as that which occurred in Cochrane Street on 14th instant in connection with buildings already in existence?

The ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ─I beg to

to the Medical Officer of Health or to any such other officer as may be appointed for that purpose by the Board with the approval of the Governor, who shall inspect such premises, and if he considers them or any part thereof to be in a dirty or insanitary condition he may forthwith take steps to have the said premises thoroughly cleansed and disinfected by persons acting under his instructions, and may, if he thinks fit, have all furniture and goods removed therefrom during such cleansing and disinfection," the words "if he thinks fit" have been added to the clause. Bye-law No. 9 is a new bye-law, and its object is to prevent the removal of infected articles from one district undergoing disinfection to another district. It confers upon officers of the Sanitary Board power to prevent that being done, thus avoiding the possibility of the spread of infection while the process of disinfection is going on.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded the motion, which was carried.

QUESTIONS.

Notice had previously been given of the following questions:─

1.─COLLAPSED BUILDINGS IN THE COLONY.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD─Will the Honourable the Director of Public Works lay upon the Council table a statement showing:─

(1.) The number of buildings in the Colony which have fallen down, from 1st January, 1895, to 16th instant (August);

(2.) The names of the owners of the said buildings;

(3.) The number of deaths caused thereby;

(4.) The number of Coroner's enquiries held in connection with such deaths;

lay upon the table a statement which contains answers to Nos. 1 to 6 inclusive of the hon. member's question. With regard to Nos. 1 and 2, which form the second portion of the question, the matters therein referred to are under the consideration of the Government.

2.─CORAL AND SHELL FISHERMEN. Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD─Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council of the approximate number of fishermen employed in taking coral and shell from the seaadjoining the New Territory, and the names of the places where and about the extent of ground over which such fishing is carried on?

COLONIAL SECRETARY─In reply to question No. 2, I beg to lay on the table a report prepared by the Acting Captain Superintendent of Police, which I trust the hon. member will find contains the information for which he has asked.

The return showed that the total number of men employed is 1,952, distributed over the following localities:─Tsün Wan─approximate area. 11/4 square miles; Ni Ku Chau and Ping Chau─3 square miles; Deep Bay─4 square miles; Rocky Harbour, Port Shelter, and Hebe Haven─ 7 square miles; Ping Chau (in Mirs Bay), Knob Reef, Flat Reef (both in Tolo Channel), and Centre Island (in Tolo Harbour)─approximate area not given. The approximate number of boats is 304 and of junks 90, making a total of 394.

3.─COCHRANE STREET

COLLAPSE─DEPOSITIONS AT FIRST ENQUIRY.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD─Will the Honourable the Attorney-General lay upon the table a copy of the depositions taken by the Magistrate at the enquiry, held at the Magistracy on 30th August last under

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Ordinance No. 7 of 1889, into the death of forty three persons consequent upon the collapse or tumbling down of houses Nos. 32 and 34, Cochrane Street, on the night of 14th idem, together with a copy of the Magistrate's decision or finding thereon.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL─I beg to lay upon the table a copy of the depositions.

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PUBLIC SERVICE OF YEAR 1902.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the

The COLONIAL SECRETARY─I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Three million seven hundred and forty thousand four hundred and one dollars and sixty-one cents to the Public Service of the year 1902. In connection with this Ordinance, I beg to lay upon the table the papers which usually accompany the Supply Bill when it comes before the Council for consideration. I would suggest that hon. members be afforded time to consider this Bill, so that when it comes up again they may be in a position to deal with it in a thorough and satisfactory manner.

The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the bill was read a first time.

OTHER FIRST READINGS.

On the motion of the ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, seconded by the COLONIAL SECRETARY, the following Bills were read a first time:─

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend An Ordinance entitled The Weights and Measures Ordinance, 1885 (No. 8 of of 1885).

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The New Territories Land Court Ordinance 1900 (No. 18 of 900).

A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Public Health Ordinance, 1901 (No. 13 of 1901). A Bill entitled An Ordinance relating to Copyright in Works of the Fine Arts, and for repressing the commission of fraud in the production and sale of such works.

TO AMEND AN ORDINANCE.

Hon. J. J. BELL-IRVING moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend Ordinance 15 of 1887, and to remove any doubts as to the validity of any matters done under it.

Hon. C. P. CHATER seconded, and the motion was carried.

JURY CONSOLIDATION.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to further amend the Jury Consolidation Ordinance, 1887. He said─The reasons for this measure are fully stated in the objects and reasons, which have been in the hands of hon. members for some time.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Council then went into committee on the Bill, and, there being no alterations, on the Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed.

TO AMEND PROBATES ORDINANCE. The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Probates Ordinance, 1897 (No. 3 of 1897). He said─The reasons for this measure are fully explained in the objects and reasons attached to the Bill.

motion was carried.

The Council then went into committee on the Bill, and on resuming, there being no alterations, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

THE MERCHANT SHIPPING CONSOLIDATION

ORDINANCE.

The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Merchant Shipping Consolidation Ordinance, 1899 (Ordinance 36 of 1899). He said─I think, sir, the reasons for the various amendments to this Ordinance will be found in the objects and reasons attached to the Bill. As hon. members will have noticed, when the Council goes into committee on this Bill I intend to move two amendments, with reference to which a memorandum was circulated to hon. members together with the orders of the day. Of these two amendments, one is with regard to clause 2 of the Bill and the other with regard to section 8. I beg to move the second reading of this Bill, and I shall be very pleased to answer any questions in committee to the best of my ability. Perhaps I might mention with regard to this memorandum, dealing with the amendment to clause 8, that the clause which I propose to insert is founded upon legislation now in force in the Straits Settlements, and is taken almost verbatim from the section in the Straits Ordinance.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed and the COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded that the Council go into Committee on the Bill, but after discussion their motion was withdrawn, so as to afford the Chamber of Commerce, in accordance with the suggestion of Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD, an opportunity of considering the measure before it finally becomes law.

MANUFACTURE OF GUNPOWDER AND FIREWORKS.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the law relating to the manufacture of gunpowder and of fireworks, and to regulate the sale and conveyance of gunpowder. He said─As hon. members will see from the statement of objects and reasons, most of the provisions of this Bill are adapted from those of the English Explosives Act, 1875. I think, sir. this Bill provides a very necessary amendment in the law of this Colony, because the present Gunpowder Bill has been in force since 1848, and is a very primitive Ordinance indeed, although in the early years of this Colony it was amply sufficient. I have gone very carefully into this matter, and I have had the opinion of the Captain Superintendent

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of Police, the Hon. F. H. May, upon the various points involved. I have also taken the opinion of the

H. E. the GOVERNOR─The Council stands

Government Analyst upon one or two points. I think, sir, this Bill will effect a great improvement in the law, and I beg to move that it be read a second time.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Council then went into Committee on the Bill, and on resuming, there being no alterations, the Bill was read a third time and passed.

TO VALIDATE CROWN LEASES.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to validate Crown leases heretofore made of foreshore and submerged lands within the territorial waters of the Colony for reclamation and other purposes and to legalise and facilitate the making of such leases hereafter.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.

Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD─Sir, I beg to move as an amendment that this Bill be read this day six months. I am still of opinion that this enactment is a distinct violation of the expressed provisions of the agreement between the Imperial Government of China and the Government of Great Britain with regard to the acquisition of the New Territory. That being so, I wish to record my vote against the measure.

The motion of the Acting Attorney-General was put to the Council and carried, Mr. Whitehead being the only dissentient.

STAMPS AND STAMP DUTY.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend and consolidate the Laws relating to Stamps and

adjourned to this day week. Hon. members will understand that the Estimates will not be taken this day week.

MEETING OF FINANCE

COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council, the COLONIAL SECRETARY in the chair.

In the first minute the Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $600 to cover the half salary of a second assistant marine surveyor for six months from the 17th August, 1901, at $100 per month.

The vote was agreed to.

In the next minute the Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $500 in aid of the vote of $500 for "Medicine supplied to the New Territory."

COLONIAL SECRETARY─A large quantity of quinine was used in the New Territory, and if the experiments in this line are to continue it will be necessary to vote the money.

The vote was agreed to.

In the next minute the Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $26,500 in aid of the following votes:─

PUBLIC WORKS, ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.

1. Maintenance of Buildings..................... $9,000.00 2. Miscellaneous Services........................ 2,500.00 PUBLIC WORKS, EXTRAORDINARY. 3. Survey of New Territory 15,000.00

Stamp Duty in the Colony of Hongkong.

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

Total,

....................................

The vote was agreed to.

This was all the business.

$26,500.0 0