1933-02-16 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 9

16th February, 1933.

PRESENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR WILLIAM PEEL, K.C.M.G., K.B.E.).

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

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. W. T. SOUTHORN, C.M.G.).

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, K.C., O.B.E.).

THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. E. R. HALLIFAX. C.M.G., C.B.E.). THE COLONIAL TREASURER (HON. MR. E. TAYLOR).

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. MR. R. M. HENDERSON, (Director of Public Works).

HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, KT., K.C.

HON. SIR WILLIAM SHENTON, KT.

HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.

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

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

HON. MR. J. J. PATERSON.

HON. MR. T. N. CHAU.

MR. R. A. C. NORTH (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT:―

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

10 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

MINUTES.

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

PAPERS.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H. E. The Governor, laid upon the table the following papers:―

Amendments of and Additions to the Dairies By-laws under section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903.

Rule under section 16 of the Gunpowder and Fireworks Ordinance, 1901. QUESTIONS.

HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA:―I rise, Sir, to ask the questions standing in my name.

1.―Is the Honourable the Inspector General of Police aware that cabarets and "dancing academies" so-called are being regarded as a growing social evil in the Colony and are a cause of very real anxiety and dissatisfaction among parents because of the dangers to which they expose young and inexperienced people?

2.―Will the same Honourable Member kindly compile, for the information of this Council, a return showing, respectively, for Hong Kong and Kowloon:―

(a) the number of cabarets, or "dancing academies" so-called, now carrying on business with the knowledge and permission of the Police authorities;

(b) the premises within which the cabaret business is conducted;

(c) between what hours they are permitted to remain open to the public; and

(d) the periods for which these places of entertainment are allowed to continue their business?

3.―Are any regulations extant permitting of the licensing of cabarets in the Colony? If not, is it contemplated to regulate the business of cabarets by law?

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 11

4.―If the reply to the preceding question is in the negative, will the Government consider the expediency of the early framing of regulations for licensing cabarets and similar establishments in Hong Kong?

5.―Are cabarets in the Colony restricted as to number; if so, what is the maximum number for Hong Kong and Kowloon, respectively?

6.―Does the Inspector General of Police consider that such numbers have been attained, and if not will he limit the number and so discourage the opening of any more establishments devoted to commercialised dancing?

The INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE:―

1.―The Inspector General of Police is aware that such institutions exist in the Colony and that the number is increasing. The Inspector General of Police has reason to believe that certain sections of the community do not regard cabarets and dancing academies with approval, though he has received no representations on the subject.

2.― (a) The number of cabarets or dancing academies carrying on business with the knowledge of the Police is:―Hong Kong, seven; Kowloon, two.

(b) A list has been prepared and will be circulated to Honourable Members.

(c) There is no restriction on the hours they are permitted to remain open to the public.

(d) There is no limit to the periods for which dancing academies are allowed to continue business.

3.―There are no regulations extant. A proposal to require dancing academies to be licensed, and to frame suitable regulations is under consideration at the present time.

4.―Does not arise.

5.―No.

6.―The Inspector General of Police has at present no power to limit the number of cabarets or similar establishments.

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. 1, dated 2nd February, 1933, and moved that it be adopted.

12 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded and this was agreed to.

MOTIONS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.―I rise to move "That the order dated the 6th Day of February, 1931, made by the Chief Justice under section 115 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance, 1931, be approved." He said.―Sir, the approval of this Council is required for the amendment to the scale of fees and percentages allowed where the employment of an accountant has been duly sanctioned and no special arrangement has been made by him with the Official Receiver or trustee in Bankruptcy for the payment of a smaller amount. In the scale prescribed by the Chief Justice and approved by this Council on the 10th November, Chartered Accountants and other principals were assigned a daily fee of $75 to $100. The amendment prescribes a like fee for Incorporated Accountants.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the resolution was agreed to. CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1933.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend further the Code of Civil Procedure." he said.―With regard to what is stated at the end of paragraph one of the objects and reasons for this Bill, I should add that the convention with Italy has now been extended to the Colony and a notification to that effect was published in last week's Gazette.

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

Upon Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment, and moved the third reading.

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

ARMS AND AMMUNITION ORDINANCE, 1933.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the law relating to Arms and Ammunition."

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 13

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.―In Clause 4, in the marginal note at the top of page 3 the letter i has dropped out in the middle of the word "prohibition" and I ask that this be inserted.

This was agreed to.

Upon Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee with an immaterial amendment and moved the third reading.

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

PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS AMENDMENT

ORDINANCE, 1927.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend further the Printers and Publishers Ordinance, 1927."

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

Upon Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.

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

SUPREME COURT (VACATIONS) AMENDMENT

ORDINANCE, 1933.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Supreme Court (Vacations) Ordinance, 1898."

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

14 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

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

Upon Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Bill had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the third reading.

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

H.E. THE GOVERNOR.―Council stands adjourned sine die.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

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

Votes totalling $99,812, contained in Message No. 2 from H.E. The Governor, were considered.

Item No. 7:―Public Works Extraordinary.―Hong Kong Water Works, free connexion in Rider Main Area, $30,000.

HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK.―I would like to ask with regard to No. 7, whether all those who are entitled to apply for meters in the rider main area have applied for meters?

THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.―We have not got the exact number of houses in the rider main areas, but the number of applications we actually have are greater than the number of houses we thought were in the rider main area, so that there are very few who have not applied.

All the votes were approved.