633
+
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-(Cont.)
Sir Richard, despite his firmness, was a fair administrator and was anxious that the Ordinance should contain no anomalies. A commission was appointed, evidence taken, and a few amendments made to the original measure.
Then slowly, the community began to realise that the Stamp Ordinance was not such a bad thing after all. Objections died away and the measure proved to be one of the most important sources of revenue, without having any ill-effect on the prosperity of the Colony.
When Sir Arthur Kennedy succeeded Sir R. MacDonnell as Governor of Hongkong, there was talk of still further privileges for members of the Legislative Council, but no alteration in the Constitution was made. From 1872 to 1875 the Unofficial element in the Council was represented by the Hon. Ph. Ryrie, R. Rowett, W. Keswick, H. Lowcock, J. Greig, and J. Whittall, of whom, however, no more than three officiated at any one time.
The Governor amended the standing orders and rules for the guidance of the Council which had not been revised since 1858. An important rule was made in connection with a protest which the Hon. Ph. Ryrie had made in August, 1873, complaining of the short time allowed members of the Council to consider the Estimates before they were discussed in Council. The Secretary of State conceded that the protest was reasonable and an extension of time was allowed.
Among the new ordinances passed during this period, the following deserve special mention, as dealing with Relief for Trustees (7 of 1873), Dangerous Goods (8 of 1873), Emigration (5 of 1874 and 5 of 1876), Steam Launches (8 of 1875), Rates (12 of 1875), Magistrates (16 of 1875), Contagious Diseases (2 of 1876), Gambling (9 of 1876), Post Office (10 of 1876) and River Steamers (11 of 1876).
The final article of the series dealing with the work of the early Legislators in Hongkong will appear to-morrow.
The following article, covering the administrations of Sir Arthur Kennedy and Sir John Pope Hennessy is the last of the series dealing with the early Government of Hongkong. Quiet legislative activity featured the period during which Sir Arthur was Governor. Though in a hopeless minority, the unofficials took an active share in all efforts to improve the Colony. In June, 1873, the unofficial members of the Council addressed a request to the Governor that the power of appointing persons to preside at the Supreme Court should be taken out of the hands of the Chief Justice, and vested in the Governor. This was accordingly done in connexion with the reconstitution of the Supreme Court, which was then under consideration.
On August 19, 1873, the Hon. R. Rowett moved that for the convenience and in the interest of the public, it was desirable that all Barristers admitted to practise as advocates of the Supreme Court, should be permitted to take business from clients personally, without the intervention of attorneys, in all cases except those in which litigation had actually commenced in the Supreme Court.
The effect of this motion was to re-introduce the old Amalgamation Ordinance, which was repealed in 1862 (See 7/4/34). The officials opposed the motion, but the sponsors were able to force a compromise which slightly modified the existing practice but did not go far enough to satisfy the community.
In April, 1876, a Bill to allow the China Traders' Insurance Company to subdivide its shares was under consideration. Three unofficial members strongly objected to the principle of the Bill, but it was passed and all they could do was to lodge a formal protest against the confirmation of this Ordinance.
The result was that the Secretary of State disallowed the Ordinance on the ground that it would be better that any measure dealing with the question of sub-division of shares should have a general application.
633
+
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-(Cont.)
Sir Richard, despite his firmness, was a fair administrator and was
A commission was anxious that the Ordinance should contain no anomolies. appointed, evidence taken, and a few amendments made to the original
measure.
Then slowly, the community began to realise that the Stamp Ordinance was not such a bad thing after all. Objections died away and the measure proved to be one of the most important sources of revenue, without having any ill-effect on the propserity of the Colony.
When Sir Arthur Kennedy succeeded Sir R. MacDonnell as Governor of Hongkong, there was talk of still further privileges for members of the Legislative Council, but no alteration in the Constitution was made. From 1872 to 1875 the Unofficial element in the Council was represented by the Hon. Ph. Ryrie. R.Rowett, W. Keswick, H. Lowcock, J. Greig, and J.Whittall, of whom, however, no more than three officiated at any one time.
The Governor amended the standing orders and rules for the guidance of the Council which had not been revised since 1858. An important rule was made in connection with a protest which the Hon. Ph.Ryrie had made in August, 1873, complaining of the short time allowed members of the Council to consider the Estimates before they were discussed in Council. The Secretary of State conceded that the protest was reasonable and an extension of time was allowed.
Among the new ordinances passed during this period, the following deserve special mention, as dealing with Relief for Trustees (7 of 1873). Dangerous Goods (8 of 1873), Emigration (5 of 1874 and 5 of 1876), Steam Launches (8 of 1875), Rates (12 of 1875), Magistrates (16 of 1875), Contagious Diseases (2 of 1876), Gambling (9 of 1876), Post Office (10 of 1876) and River Steamers (11 of 1876).
The final article of the series dealing with the work of the early Legislators in Hongkong will appear to-morrow.
The following article, covering the administrations of Sir Arthur Kennedy and Sir John Pope Hennessy is the last of the series dealing with the early Government of Hongkong. Quiet legislative activity featured the period during which Sir Arthur was Governor. Though in a hopeless minority, the unofficials
took an active share in all efforts to improve the Colony. In June, 1873,
the unofficial members of the Council, addressed to the Governor a request that the power of appointing persons to preside at the Supreme Court should be taken cut of the hands of the Chief Justice, and vested in the Governor. This was accordingly done in connexion with the reconstitution of the Supreme Court, which was then under consideration.
On August 19, 1873, the Hon. R. Rowett moved that for the convenience and in the interest of the public, it was desirable that all Earristers
Daw, admitted to practise as advocates of the Supreme Court, should be permitted to take business from clients personally, without the intervention of attorneys, in all cases except those in which litigation had actually commenced in the Supreme Court.
The effect of this motion was to re-introduce the old Amalgamation Ordinance, which was repealed in 1862 (See 7/4/34). The officials opposed the motion, but the sponsors were able to force a compromise which slightly modified the existing practice but did not go far enough to satisfy the community.
In April, 1876, a Bill to allow the China Traders' Insurance Company subdivide its shares was under consideration. Three unofficial members Mongly objected to the principle of the Bill, but it was passed and all they cuid do was to lodge a formal protest against the confirmation of this rdinance.
The result was that the Secretary of State disallowed the Ordinance the ground that it would be better that any measure dealing with the question Cub-division of shares should have a general application.
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