1915-03-11 — Page 1

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 15 11TH MARCH, 1915.

PRESENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FRANCIS HENRY 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. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer).

HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. S. B. C. ROSS (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. D. LANDALE.

HON. MR. E. SHELLIM.

HON. MR. LAU CHU PAK.

MR. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils).

Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed.

Financial Minutes

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minute No. 4, and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

Papers

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee held on the 4th March, and the report of the proceedings of the Public Works Committee, held on 24th February, and moved that they be adopted.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

Declaration of Cargoes

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled, "An Ordinance to provide for declarations of ultimate destination in respect of goods, wares and merchandise to be exported to certain places, and for the furnishing of export manifests."

The "Objects and Reasons" state that the object of the Bill is to prevent the exportation to ostensible destinations in neutral countries in Europe of goods intended to be forwarded to enemy territory.

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

Alien Enemies (Winding-Up)

Ordinance, 1914

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― It is not proposed to proceed with the Committee stage of the Bill dealing with the amendment of the Alien Enemies (Winding-up) Ordinance to day.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― Council stands adjourned until this day week.

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FINANCE COMMITTEE.

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A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the COLONIAL SECRETARY presiding.

Public Works, Etc.

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of $400 in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, New Territories, Miscellaneous, Compensation for Resumption of Lands.

THE CHAIRMAN―No money is required really, as this money was paid last year as an advance account. There was no proper sub head to which it could be transferred, and so it has been necessary to come to the Council to have a formal vote for the amount. It is compensation for some property which was in the way of a battery at the eastern entrance to the harbour.