1930-08-14 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 137

14th August, 1930.

PRESENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR WILLIAM PEEL, K.B.E., C.M.G.). THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX, C.M.G., C.B.E.). THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, K.C., O.B.E.).

THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. A. E. WOOD).

THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. C. MCI. MESSER, O.B.E.).

HON. MR. H. T. CREASY, C.B.E. (Director of Public Works.).

HON. MR. E. D. C. WOLFE, C.M.G. (Inspector General of Police).

HON. COMMANDER G. F. HOLE, R.N. (Retired) (Harbour Master).

HON. DR. A. R. WELLINGTON (Director of Medical and Sanitary Services). HON. SIR SHOU-SON CHOW, KT.

HON. MR. J. OWEN HUGHES.

HON. MR. C. G. S. MACKIE.

HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL, C.M.G., LL.D.

HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.

HON. MR. S. W. TS'O, O.B.E., LL.D.

HON. MR. J. J. PATERSON.

HON. MR. PAUL LAUDER.

MR. N. L. SMITH, (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS (MAJOR-GENERAL J. W. SANDILANDS, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O.).

138 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MINUTES.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Council were confirmed.

PAPER.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid on the table the following paper:―

Regulation under section 3 (1) (b) of the Tobacco Ordinance, 1916, on 6th August, 1930. QUESTIONS.

HON. MR. R. H. KOTEWALL asked:―

With reference to the Report of the Playing Fields Committee dated the 20th January, 1930, which was published as Sessional Paper No. 2 of 1930 and laid before this Council on the 19th June, 1930, will the Government state what decision, if any, it has come to in regard to Caroline Hill, the proposed sale of which was not concurred in by four members of that Committee?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:―

The recommendations of the Playing Fields Committee, including the question of the disposal of the Caroline Hill area, are still under consideration and no decisions have yet been made.

FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H.E. the Governor, laid upon the table the report of the Finance Committee, No. 10, of 7th. August, 1930, and moved that it be adopted.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and this was agreed to.

FIRE BRIGADE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1930.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Fire Brigade Ordinance, 1923." He said: This is a very short amending Ordinance of three Sections, and the reason for it is fully explained in a short memorandum attached to the Bill already in the hands of honourable members. I beg to move the first reading.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time: TELEPHONE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1930.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Telephone Ordinance, 1925."

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 139

He said: After this Bill has passed the second reading and the Council goes into Committee, I propose to move that the clause as printed on the Agenda Paper as Clause 5 be substituted for the Clause 5 in the Bill. This clause has been under discussion between the Government and the Company during the last week or so, and in the form in which it appears on the Agenda Paper it has been agreed to by the Company and the Government. I beg to move the second reading.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a second time. Council went into Committee to consider the Bill Clause by Clause.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved that Clause 5 be deleted and the following Clause be substituted therefor:

"5. The following new section is inserted immediately after section 33 of the principal Ordinance:―

33a. Whenever any system of wireless telephony is established in the Colony, the company shall, if so requested by the Government, permit its system of telephony to be connected therewith on such terms as the Governor in Council, after discussion with the company, shall consider reasonable."

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Council agreed.

Upon Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee with one material amendment, and, in accordance with Standing Order No. 28, moved the suspension of the Standing Orders in order that the Bill might pass through its remaining stages that day.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―I am of opinion that the amendment referred to is material and ask you to agree to the suspension of the Standing Orders in order to enable us to proceed with the third reading.

This was agreed to.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the third reading.

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

140 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

ADJOURNMENT.

H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Council will adjourn sine die.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

Following the Council, a meeting of the Finance Committee was held, the Colonial Secretary presiding.

A vote of $240, contained in Message No. 11 from H.E. the Governor, was considered and approved.