1939-12-28 — Page 1

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 253

28th December, 1939.

PRESENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING THE TROOPS, (MAJOR GENERAL A. E. GRASETT, D.S.O., M.C.).

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. N. L. SMITH, C.M.G.).

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER, O.B.E., K.C.). THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS (HON. MR. R. A. C. NORTH). THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY (HON. MR. H. R. BUTTERS, Acting).

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

HON. MR. T. H. KING (Commissioner of Police).

HON. DR. P. S. SELWYN-CLARKE, M.C., (Director of Medical Services). HON. MR. A. B. PURVES (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. S. H. DODWELL.

HON. MR. LO MAN-KAM.

HON. MR. LEO D'ALMADA E CASTRO, JNR.

HON. MR. A. L. SHIELDS.

HON. MR. T. E. PEARCE.

HON. MR. LI TSE-FONG.

HON. MR. W. N. T. TAM.

MR. C. B. BURGESS (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT:―

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (SIR G. A. S. NORTHCOTE, K.C.M.G.). HON. SIR HENRY POLLOCK, KT., K.C., LL.D.

254 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY presided.

THE PRESIDENT.―I have received the written appointment of His Excellency the Governor, as laid down in Article XXI of the Royal Instructions, to preside at to-day's meeting of the Legislative Council.

MINUTES.

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

PAPERS.

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

Regulations made by the Governor in Council under section 8 (1) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Ordinance, 1935, Ordinance No. 44 of 1935, as amended by section 2 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment Ordinance, 1939, Ordinance No. 16 of 1939, dated 9th December, 1939.

Resolution made and passed by the Legislative Council under section 3 of the Public Officers (Changes of Style) Ordinance, 1937, Ordinance No. 25 of 1937, on the 14th December, 1939.

Trading with the Enemy (Specified Persons) (Amendment) Order, 1939, made by the Governor, with the prior approval of the Secretary of State, under section 3 (2) of the Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, 1914, Ordinance No. 25 of 1914, as amended by regulation 2 of the Trading with the Enemy Ordinance, 1914 Amendment Regulations, 1939, dated 9th December, 1939.

Proclamation No. 17.―Revocation of Proclamation No. 6 of 14th July, 1939. MOTIONS.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved:―

That the by-laws made by the Urban Council under sections 5 and 6 of the Public Health (Food) Ordinance, 1935, on the 5th day of December, 1939, amending the by-laws in the Schedule to that Ordinance under the heading "Sale of Milk generally and Dairies and Milk Shops," be approved.

He said: The effect of these new by-laws is to set a standard for the pasteurization of milk and cream before and after pasteurization.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was approved.

HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. 255

REGISTRATION OF DENTISTS BILL, 1939.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to provide for the Registration of Dentists." He said: This Bill requires all dentists to register, those at present in practice will be allowed to register forthwith but all new comers will be required to have certain qualifications.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time. Objects and Reasons.

The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows:―

1. The object of this Bill is to repeal the Dentistry Ordinance, 1914, and enactments amending that Ordinance, and to introduce in its stead a comprehensive enactment, based on existing legislation in the Straits Settlements, regulating and controlling the practice of dentistry.

2. The effect of the Bill is to limit the practice of dentistry, other than tooth extraction, to persons who have been admitted to the register of dentists; clause 7 defines the persons who are entitled to registration and clause 8 prescribes the procedure for admission to the register.

3. Provision is made in clauses 11 and 12 for issuing annual practising certificates to registered dentists and for publication at the beginning of each year of a list of persons to whom such certificates have been issued.

4. Penalties are prescribed for practising dentistry without being registered and for falsely taking the name or title of dentist.

5. Power is given to the Governor in Council to make regulations for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Bill.

WATERWORKS AMENDMENT BILL, 1940.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Waterworks Ordinance, 1938." He said: In the memorandum and agenda the date is given as 1939. It should be 1938, as there is no Waterworks Ordinance of 1939. If members do not object, I ask that the date be read as 1938.

THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a first time. Objects and Reasons.

The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows:―

1. Paragraph (a) of section 5 of the principal Ordinance provides for payment for water charges quarterly, on at such lesser periods as

256 HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

the Water Authority may in any case determine, and for the payment of meter rent annually.

2. It is considered preferable to fix water rents at quarterly instead of annual rates and collect them quarterly.

3. This Bill provides accordingly for the repeal of the words in section 5 (a) which made meter rentals an annual charge.

4. It is intended to bring the new scheme into force on the 1st January, 1940.

5. Certain other adjustments will be necessary in the Regulations in the Schedule to the principal Ordinance, but these adjustments will be effected by amending Regulations made under section 29 of that Ordinance.

ADJOURNMENT.

THE PRESIDENT.―Council stands adjourned sine die.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

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

Votes totalling $44,161, contained in Message No. 11 from H.E. The Governor, were considered.

All the votes were approved.