1914-12-03 — Page 1

144 HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 3RD DECEMBER, 1914.

PRESENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR F. H. MAY, K.C.M.G.

HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL F. H. KELLY, C.B. (General Officer Commanding Troops).

HON. MR. CLAUD SEVERN (Colonial Secretary).

HON. MR. J. H. KEMP (Attorney-General).

HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE (Colonial Treasurer).

HON. MR. A. F. CHURCHILL (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER (Captain Superintendent of Police).

HON. MR. WEI YUK, C.M.G.

HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.

HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT, C.M.G.

HON. MR. LAU CHU PAK.

HON. MR. E. SHELLIM.

HON. MR. D. LANDALE.

MR. M. J. BREEN (Clerk of Councils). Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

Paper

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee held on the 5th November.

Financial Minutes

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor laid on the table Financial Minutes Nos. 73 to 80, and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and this was agreed to.

War Gifts from the Colonies

HIS EXCELLENCY―Before we proceed with the business, I would like to read the following telegram which I have received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies:―

"I am about to lay before Parliament further correspondence regarding the munificent gifts which have so far been offered from the various parts of the Empire, and before doing so I desire on behalf of His Majesty's Government again to express their deep gratitude to all who have so generously and in such diverse ways both publicly and privately contributed to the requirements of His Majesty's Government and their Allies for purposes of alleviating the distress caused by the war and bringing it to a successful issue.― HARCOURT."

I might say that I telegraphed the Secretary of State informing him of the progress of the Prince of Wales' Fund.

Alien Enemies (Winding up)

Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Alien Enemies (winding up) Ordinance, 1914, and to provide for the protection of public officers in certain cases."

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to enable the Bill to pass through its remaining stages at this meeting.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and this was agreed to.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL then moved the second reading of the Bill, and in doing so said: ― When the principal

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Ordinance was introduced it was intimated that owing to the circumstance under which it was drafted and introduced, supplementary legislation would probably be necessary very shortly. And this Bill is intended to deal with certain points which have emerged in connection with the working of the principal Ordinance, and which seem to require to be dealt with without any further delay. Some of the amendments are not amendments of substance, but are merely intended either to clear up the intention of the principal Ordinance or else to carry out its main intention and spirit more fully. An alteration has been made in the definition of "alien enemy," which is not one, I think, of any great substance. A clause provides expressly that it shall be unlawful to pay any money, or part with any property, or deal with any property, to or for the benefit of an alien enemy, whether such alien enemy be within or without the Colony. This is probably the effect of the principal Ordinance as it stands, but this clause makes it quite clear at any rate that the prohibition exists, and draws attention to the point. The prohibition, of course, is that money must not be paid to an alien enemy without permission; it is not an absolute prohibition. The Bill also provides that the property which the liquidator shall be able to control shall include property in the Colony which may have been employed in connection with a branch of an alien enemy trading outside the Colony. For example, there might be goods in the Colony which were the subject of dealings with the firm's branch in Canton. Here again it is possible that the principal Ordinance might have been sufficient as it stood. However, this clause makes it quite clear that the liquidator would be able to make use of these goods, and deal with them as assets of the alien enemy, as, of course, they are. It is also expressly provided, for greater security, that the appointment of a liquidator shall not affect in any way the obligations which have been incurred by the compradore of the alien enemy's business immediately before and up to the time of the appointment of the liquidator, and that the appointment of the liquidator shall not in any way release the sureties of the compradore in respect of any obligations which have been incurred before the commencement of the winding-up. The Bill also provides that, as the principal Ordinance contemplates a winding-up in case of insolvency as well as a winding-up of solvent firms, the bankruptcy law shall be excluded from the winding-up of these firms. It would be obviously inconvenient to have two sets of provisions applying to the same winding-up. The present amending Bill therefore provides expressly that

the Bankruptcy Ordinance shall be excluded. The principal Ordinance was defective in one respect― it failed to provide for the remuneration to be paid to the liquidators in case of solvency. Of course, the only point that seemed to be of importance at the moment was what might be done in the case of insolvency, but clearly the Ordinance ought to provide for the remuneration in the case of solvent firms, and that omission is now rectified. It is also provided―and this is perhaps a rather important amendment, although it does not go beyond, I think, the spirit of the principal Ordinance―that in the winding up of branches in Hongkong of alien enemy firms the liabilities to be discharged by the liquidator shall only be the liabilities of the Hongkong branch, and he will not be liable, or entitled, to pay any liabilities which would, in the ordinary course of the business of the firm, have been discharged by some branch outside the Colony. If that were not clear, of course, the liquidator might be inundated by claims from persons outside the Colony, possibly in Europe, who were unable to obtain satisfaction of their claims against the firm at the other places, and these claims might be a very large amount indeed. That same provision has been adopted in the case of branches in London of German banks. These branches are allowed to carry on business for the purpose of winding up their affairs and discharging charging liabilities incurred in that particular branch in London, and not outside the United Kingdom. Power is also given to you, Sir, to award higher remuneration in any special case where the usual remuneration of 2 12 per cent. shall appear to you to be inadequate, but that provision does not affect in any way the position of secured creditors. Perhaps the most important change effected by this Bill, Sir, is in the priority of payments. It is clearly essential that the first place should be given to the expenses and the remuneration of the liquidators, because if their expenses and remuneration were not paid no-one would be found

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to undertake the duty, and it is now provided in this Bill that these expenses and remunerations shall take precedence over all other payments; and if the clear assets of the firm, after payment of secured creditors, is insufficient to pay these charges, then the secured creditors will be liable to pay a proportionate part towards the amount required to pay the liquidators. Provision is also made for the auditing of the liquidators' accounts. It is possible that attempts may be made to obstruct the liquidator in taking possession of the business or property of an alien enemy, and the Bill makes it an offence to do so. It also contains provision for the protection of public officers in carrying out their duties in connection with the Ordinance. The amendments to this Bill have been made retrospective, and are to be deemed to have taken effect immediately on the coming into operation of the principal Ordinance. In conclusion, I wish to acknowledge the various suggestions which have been made with respect to this Bill and the amendment of the principal Ordinance. Some of them were adopted, some abandoned mutually after discussion, and even some of those which have been not adopted have proved of considerable assistance.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. HON. MR. HEWETT―I think I am in order, Sir, to make a few remarks before the Bill goes into Committee. The point I would like to mention ― and one which possibly the Attorney-General might explain―is that in the course of my business it has come to my notice that a large number of the firms now in liquidation under the existing laws of Hongkong have a considerable amount of personal property. Many of these people have left the Colony, or have gone into the concentration camp at very short notice, and left considerable personal property. It seems to me in this connection that we ought to know exactly where we stand. I have spoken with two or three liquidators with whom I have business relations in connection with some of these firms now being liquidated, and I find―I am subject to correction― that there is a considerable amount of doubt as to how they are to deal with the personal property of people in the concentration camp, or who have been compulsorily obliged to leave the Colony, and I think that point ought to be made clear. I

think I am right in saying that in the event of a liquidator finding the business of the firm he is liquidating to be insolvent, then he has the right to seize any personal property which the individual partners of that firm may have left. Now we know that these people left the Colony at very short notice, and a very considerable amount of valuable property, in the way of house property, furniture and so forth, is now in a nebulous condition. I myself have a house which I let to a German, which is full of very valuable furniture, and I do not know who is in charge. If the firm is proved to be insolvent, I assume that that would be secured by the liquidator. In the interests of our unfortunate friends, who, through the war, have been driven from the Colony, I think these things should be protected as well as the interests of possible creditors; that their private property should be looked after. As far as I can understand that point has not been considered by the Government, and I think it is a very important one, because this individual property represents, in many cases, a large amount of money, and it seems to me that some definite rule should be laid down by the Government to the liquidators that they are to take charge of this property in the interests of all concerned. I think I am right in saying that the point has not been made clear, and, as I say, I know many houses in which there is a very large amount of valuable property which might possibly fall into the wrong hands or might possibly be not properly dealt with. I merely put this forward. I do not wish to make any comment on the Bill when it is in Committee, but I put this forward for your consideration when you come to consider the Bill.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―In reply to the hon. member, I might say that the point has been dealt with by the Government in every case where the circumstances were known to the Government. The Bill contemplates the winding up of trades, and also the winding-up of personal affairs, and in every case where it has been brought to the notice of the Government that an alien enemy had left personal property which required protection, or which it was desirable should be applied to the discharging of liabilities, the liquidators to the trade have been appointed liquidators to the personal property, or other liquidators have been appointed. In every case where

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 147

the facts have been knwon to the Government a liquidator has been appointed, and in any future case which may become known the same course will be followed.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―In the case of houses held on lease which have been left hurriedly by the occupants, wherever it has been possible, arrangements have been made to re-let the house with the furniture and property of the former lessee intact, on condition that the incoming lessee shall look after it. This has been done in several cases.

HON. MR. HEWETT―That may be so, but I know cases where nobody seems to have any idea as to what ought to be done and the property seems to be left to look after itself.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―We have dealt with all known cases.

HON. MR. HEWETT―But there are some which do not seem to be known by the liquidators.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Those cases have been constantly dealt with.

HON. MR. HEWETT―It has been done to some, but not to others.

Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

On Clause 5,

THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL proposed that the following clause be substituted. Sub-section (8) of section 5 of the Principal Ordinance is amended as follows:―

(a) by the insertion of a comma after the word "proceedings" and by the insertion of the words "except proceedings in bankruptcy against an alien enemy" between the word "proceedings" and the word "which" in the first line thereof;

(b) by the insertion of the words "by or against such alien enemy" between the word "brought" and the word "in" in the second line thereof.

On Clause 9,

THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL proposed that the following clause be substituted. Section 6 of the Principal Ordinance is amended as follow:―

(a) by the substitution of the word "formerly" for the word "previously" in the third line

of sub-section (1);

(b) by the repeal of sub-section (3) and by the substitution therefor of the following sub section:―

(3) If any person acts in any way for any former principal of such alien enemy, or corresponds or deals with any person with whom such alien enemy formerly had trade relations, he shall be presumed to be carrying on the trade formerly carried on by such alien enemy, unless he shall prove to the satisfaction of the Magistrate or the court or the jury as the case may be (a) that such trade was bonâ fide assigned or parted with or abandoned by such alien enemy before the 5th August, 1914, or (b) that he has bonâ fide established new trade relations with such principal or person without the intervention or assistance of such alien enemy and that he is not trading in any way on account of or for the benefit of any alien enemy.

On Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL said that the Bill had passed through all its stages, with slight amendment, and he moved its third reading.

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

The "Objects and Reasons" state:―

The object of this Bill is to fill up certain lacunae in the express provisions of the Principal Ordinance in order the better to carry out its spirit and general intention, and to make the law clearer on certain points on which the construction of the Principal Ordinance might possibly give rise to some question. The main provisions of the Bill are as follows:―

It is expressly prohibited to pay any money, or part with any property, to or for the benefit of an alien enemy, or in any way to deal with any property for the benefit of an alien enemy.

It is expressly provided that the property over which the liquidator will have control shall include any property within the Colony which may have been employed in or in connection with any branch of the alien enemy's trade outside the Colony, e.g., goods belonging to the Canton branch of a firm established at Canton as well as in the Colony.

It is expressly provided that the appointment of a liquidator shall not affect any

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liability of a compradore or his sureties as existing immediately before such appointment.

It is provided that where a liquidator has been appointed no proceedings in bankruptcy may be brought against the alien enemy in question, and that no alien enemy shall be entitled to present a bankruptcy petition against himself.

The Principal Ordinance provided for the payment of the liquidators' expenses and remuneration in case of the insolvency of the alien enemy's trade or personal estate, but failed to provide for such payment in case of solvency. This omission is now rectified.

It is provided that where the trade which is being wound up is a branch of a trade carried on also outside the Colony, the liabilities to be discharged by the liquidator shall be confined to liabilities arising out of the transactions entered into by or on behalf of the Hongkong branch.

Power is given to the Governor to award a higher remuneration in any special case where the usual remuneration of 2 12 per cent. shall appear to him inadequate. This, however, will not affect the position of secured creditors.

It is made clear that the expenses of the liquidator shall include money advanced by him for the purpose of the winding up.

As it is essential for any winding up to be undertaken that the payment of the expenses and remuneration of the liquidator shall be certain, those payments are placed in case of insolvency in priority over the payment of secured creditors, and it is provided that secured creditors shall be liable to contribute to such expenses and remuneration in proportion to the value of their respective securities.

Express provision is made for the auditing of liquidators' accounts.

It is declared to be an offence against the Ordinance to refuse to hand over to a liquidator on demand any keys, account books, etc., relating to the trade or personal affairs of the alien enemy whose trade or personal affairs the liquidator has been appointed to wind up.

It is provided that the prohibition against carrying on the trade of an alien enemy shall apply in the case of every trade, or part of a trade, carried on by any alien enemy at any time after the 31st December, 1913, unless the person carrying on such trade shall prove that it was assigned, parted with, or abandoned, by the alien enemy before the 5th August, 1914.

All the amendments are made retrospectively.

Provision is made for protecting public-officers from actions in respect of permissions bonâ-fide given or refused in execution of their powers under the Principal Ordinance or the amending Ordinance.

Defences (Sketching Prevention)

Ordinance, 1895

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Defences (Sketching Prevention) Ordinance, 1895."

The Objects and Reasons were given as follows: ―

The object of this Bill is to supplement and render more effective the Defences (Sketching Prevention) Ordinance, 1895.

In order to avoid any question as to the meaning of the word photograph, the definition of the word sketch is amended so as to include the negative of a photograph.

Attempts to make sketches are made criminal.

The application of the Principal Ordinance is somewhat limited and does not include, for example, any naval anchorage, nor does it apply to His Majesty's ships. The Bill enlarges the scope of the Principal Ordinance in these two respects.

Recreation Grounds

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Recreation Grounds Ordinance, 1909."

The Objects and Reasons attached to the Bill are as follows:―

The Chinese Recreation Ground, which is situated at Possession Point near the western end of Hollywood Road and which has been set apart as an open space for the benefit of Chinese of the poorer class for over 30 years, is managed by a Committee consisting of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and the two Chinese members of the Legislative Council. The powers of this Committee are vague and ill-defined, and the tenure of the ground and its appropriation as an open space are not on a satisfactory basis. The object of this Bill is to provide that this open space shall be declared to be an open space for the purpose of public recreation within the meaning of the Recreation Grounds Ordinance, 1909, and to regularize and regulate the management of the ground by the Committee.

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Medical Registration Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Medical Registration Ordinance, 1884." He said―The object of this Bill, Sir, is to assimilate, as far as possible, the qualifications for registration in Hongkong to those which obtain in the United Kingdom and other Crown Colonies. At present, under the existing Registration Ordinance, the matter is left somewhat vague, and the rather invidious duty is thrown on the Medical Board of saying whether the particular applicant's course of study has been of such a nature as to justify his registration here. That, of course, is a difficult duty for the Medical Board, which consists in part at least of medical practitioners already in practice in the Colony, to discharge, and though, of course, their duties would be discharged with perfect fairness, they might perhaps be inclined to interpret the clause with less strictness than they ought to, thinking their own interests involved and that they ought to strain it in favour of the applicant. The present Bill provides that the persons entitled to registration here as medical practitioners shall be such persons as are entitled to registration in the United Kingdom by the General Medical Council, persons holding a degree of the University of Hongkong in medicine and surgery, and persons holding any degree in medicine and surgery granted in Europe, the United States, or Japan, provided these degrees are recognised as entitling to registration by the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. Practically, the Bill provides that the qualifications for registration here shall be those required by the General Medical Council in England. It also safeguards the rights of the existing practitioners now on the register and the right of the licentiates of the Hongkong College of Medicine, and I think that no one entitled to practice in the Colony is adversely affected by the Bill. The Bill also defines what the word "practice" means. This definition was the subject of considerable discussion and amendment before it reached its final shape. In the present form, I think it is not open to any serious objection. The difficulty felt was that laboratory assistants doing bacteriological work might be found to be hit by the Bill if the clause were not carefully drafted to enable them to carry on their purely laboratory work, provided they do not carry on the practice of medicine and surgery. That clause guards these people, so that they will not be committing an offence under the Bill when they carry on their purely laboratory work under a registered

practitioner. The Bill also takes the opportunity, Sir, to provide regular procedure for the granting of permission to sign death certificates, and for the making of regulations to be observed by persons who are entitled to issue such. It has been the practice to allow persons who are not fully qualified, under certain restrictions, to sign such certificates, and this Bill regularises that procedure, and gives power to make regulations to be observed by such persons.

The Objects and Reasons attached to the Bill are as follows:―

The main object of this Bill is to assimilate as far as possible the qualifications which entitle a medical practioner to registration in this Colony to the qualifications required in the United Kingdom and in other parts of His Majesty's Dominions.

It accordingly provides that only the following classes of persons shall be entitled to registration here:―

(a.) Persons registered in some other part of His Majesty's Dominions, whose qualification is accepted for registration by the General Council of Medical Education and Registration in the United Kingdom.

(b.) Persons holding a medical degree of the University of Hongkong.

(c.) Persons holding a degree, diploma or licence in medicine and surgery of any medical school in Europe, the United States of America or the Empire of Japan, the degrees, diplomas and licences of which are recognised as entitling to registration by the General Council of Medical Education and Registration of the United Kingdom.

Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.

On Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL stated that the Bill had passed through all its stages, and he moved its third reading.

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

HIS EXCELLENCY ― Council stands adjourned until this day fortnight.

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FINANCE COMMITTEE.

——

A meeting of the Finance Committee followed, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.

Harbour Master's Department

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $1,880 in aid of the following votes:―

Harbour Master's Department.

C.― Marine Surveyor's Office,

Charges, Launch:―Coal .. $ 280

D.― Steam Launches, Other

Charges, Coal ...................... 1,800

———

$1,880

THE CHAIRMAN―These two excesses on the votes are caused by the rise in the price of coal supplied to the steam launches of the Harbour Department, the Marine Surveyors, and the General Post Office. The supply of coal to the Harbour launches has increased by $1,600. As a matter of fact, it is not only the rise in the price of coal. There has been more work for them to do during the last three or four months, and, of course, more coal had to be consumed than was expected when the estimates were drawn up.

Treasury

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $5,100 in aid of the vote Treasury, A.―Treasurer's Office, Personal Emoluments.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER―This is due to the fact that the Treasurer, being on leave, availed himself of the new rule under which Government officers may go on commuted leave, and instead of taking half the amount due to them they take their full pay, and an additional sum has to be allowed to enable the acting officer to draw what would in the ordinary circumstances be the lapsing half pay. The remainder is due to difference in exchange owing to the fact that it was fixed at $1/10 and dropped below that amount.

Charitable Services

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $412 in aid of the vote Charitable Services, Education of certain members of the family of the late Sir Kai Ho Kai.

THE CHAIRMAN―This is provision for the education of three of the sons of the late Sir Kai Ho Kai at the University, and to the education of two sons at St. Stephen's College. The amount required up to the end of this year has been as certained to be, as near as possible, $412. Provision has been made in next year's estimate for the whole year.

Public Works

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $4,700 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Kowloon, Miscellaneous, Reclamation opposite K.M.L.'s 29-31, Yaumati.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ― Good progress has been made with this work. The estimated cost was $87,000, and the actual cost has been $81,000, so there is a saving on the estimate. The provision in this year's estimate was $16,000, but the actual expenditure $20,700. Therefore, a sum of $4,700 is required to complete the payments. More progress has been made this year than was anticipated; that is to say, the work has actually been completed this year, whereas it was supposed that it would not be completed until next year. Consequently in next year's estimate no provision for it has been made.

Water Works

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $6,600 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Hongkong, Water Works, Miscellaneous, Water Works.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ―In the annual estimates a sum is provided for Miscellaneous Water Works. Against this vote is charged the cost of various water works which may become necessary during the year and for which no special provision has been made in the estimates. Several such items have occurred during this year. One was the diversion of the Peak pumping main, another the diversion of main in Bonham Road necessitated by an improvement in the road alignment; another the construction of a channel to convey water from the Wongneichong Reservoir to the Bowen Road Conduit; another the alteration and improvement of the old Peak pumping engine. During the year a new pumping station has been constructed, and an entirely new pumping plant has been put down: the old station had to be abandoned because it was now too small and its smoke was a nuisance to the University.

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The old engine has been converted, and used as a stand-by to the new engine. Previously there has been only one engine, and it has been a rather responsible job to keep that engine going, because if anything had gone wrong the Peak water supply would have ceased. The $6,000 was a supplementary vote to meet the additional cost of work which had been carried out.

Charitable Allowances

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $500 in aid of the vote Charitable Services, Other Charitable Allowances.

THE CHAIRMAN―This is in connection with certain German subjects, among them certain ladies connected with the Eyre Refuge.

THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS ―The lady Superintendent of the Eyre Diocesan Refuge was a German lady, who had to leave the Colony recently when the other Germans had to go. The Eyre Refuge, like all charities here, is run with a very fine financial margin, and they were not any better off because of the war. Thus, the Government thought it necessary to come to their assistance and also that of the lady Superintendent, by supplying two months of the Superintendent's salary, according to the rules under the agreement, and also provide sufficient to provide her passage home to Germany; according to such agreement again.

Colonial Secretary's Department

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $15,620 in aid of the following votes:―

Colonial Secretary's Department and Legislature.

Other Charges:―

Language Study Allowances

(Chinese) to Unpassed Cadets ... $600 Cost of Cabinets, etc. ..................... 20 Miscellaneous Services.

Telegraph Services:―

Telegrams sent and received by

Government ................................ 15,000 ———

Total ................ $15,620

THE CHAIRMAN―$600 of this item is due to there being more unpassed Cadets at present studying, and one passed Cadet who is taking up a second dialect and getting a language allowance. Provision

was only made for two Cadets, as it was thought that two of them would have completed their studies. That is not the case. We have four who have not completed their studies drawing $20 a month, and one drawing $15 a month. The total cost is $1,140, but provision was made for only $540, so that the sum of $600 is required on that account. The sum of $15,000 for telegraph service is a very outside figure, but it was thought better to ask for this amount. Owing to the war the cost of telegrams has been very greatly in excess of what was estimated, and this sum was thought to be ample to cover all expenses up to the end of the year.

Public Works Recurrent

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $7,500 in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent, Kowloon, Miscellaneous, Maintenance of Praya Walls and Piers.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ― When the arrangement was made with the Star Ferry Company to run their launches from their new pier, and the Government took over the old Star Ferry wharf, it was decided to alter that wharf so as to make it into a public pier. It required new steps, and various structural alterations, the estimated cost of which was about $8,500. The supplementary vote of $7,500 was necessary to complete the alteration.

THE CHAIRMAN―How are they getting on?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ― They will be finished this month, I hope.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of two thousand five hundred and fifty Dollars ($2,550) in aid of the vote Public Works, Recurrent, New Territories, Miscellaneous, Typhoon and Rainstorm Damages―Islands in Southern District.

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ― Two serious landslides occurred recently at Tai O, just below the Police Station. A landslide took place in the same neighbourhood two years ago, and it was necessary then to build a retaining wall to support the hill on which the Police Station stood. As the result of these subsequent slides it became necessary to extend the retaining wall to further protect the hill, and this vote is required to pay the cost of the extension.