Sessional_Paper_1885-1886 — Page 84

81

No. 2.

ADDRESS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG IN REPLY TO THE

SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AT THE OPENING

OF THE SESSION ON THE 7TH OF OCTOBER, 1885.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,

1. We, the Members of the Legislative Council of Hongkong. in Council assembled, desire to thank your Excellency for the Speech with which you have opened the present Session.

2. We repeat that we agree with your Excellency in the opinion that, in justice to the present generation of tax-payers in Hongkong, a moderate loan should be raised on the exhaustion of the existing assets, to defray a portion of the cost of those Sanitary and other Public Works, which are recognised as of permanent importance for the security of the general health and well-being of our population.

3. Agreeing in the principle, we shall give our careful consideration to the details of the proposed Loan Bill and of the proposed Bill to establish a Spirit Farm, the produce of which will be devoted to pay the interest and Sinking Fund

of the Loan.

4. We thank your Excellency for the intention to submit to this Council the Municipal as well as the general taxation of the Colony.

5. We agree with your Excellency that it would be practically impossible, under the circumstances of this Colony, to create here an elective Municipal Council, in which an alien element would be predominant.

6. We concur with the views stated by your Excellency on the above subjects. 7. We are glad to learn that the Military Authorities are steadily prosecuting the system of Defence Works undertaken upon your Excellency's representation of the previously unprotected state of this Port and Colony. We also learn with pleasure that your Excellency's application for a flotilla of Torpedo Boats has been granted. We desire to express our thanks for the constant exertions of your Excellency to secure the defence of this Port and Colony by sea and land.

8. We think direct telegraphic communication between Hongkong and Singa- pore of great practical importance to both Imperial and Colonial interests; and we hope that your Excellency's renewed application to the Home Government on this subject will prove successful.

9. We shall give due attention to the Legislative measures which will be submitted to us; and we are glad to learn that the Commission for the revision of the Laws is now making satisfactory progress.

10. We are glad that the action taken by your Excellency during the crisis of the Franco-Chinese complications has met, on every point, with the approval of Her Majesty's Government.

11. We concur with your Excellency as to the importance of opening to commerce the great South-western Provinces of China; and we trust that the efforts made in this direction will be crowned with success.

12. We trust with your Excellency that the Commission appointed for the purpose will secure an adequate representation of Hongkong at the approaching Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London.

13. We shall examine with care the reports to be laid before us on the condition of the Public Departments, and on the state of the Taitam Water-Works and of the Sanitary and other Public Works in progress.

14. In conclusion, we beg to assure your Excellency that you may always rely on our loyal co-operation with the Representative of our QUEEN in all matters tending to further the public interests; and that we share your hope that the progressive development of our commerce; rigid economy in our finances; and constant firmness and justice to all races and classes in our population, will, under the Divine blessing, promote the general well-being and contentment of this entire community.