Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 142

SPEECH OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE

GOVERNMENT AT THE OPENING OF THE SESSION OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG,

5TH NOVEMBER, 1886.

139

HONOURABLE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

As I shall in all probability be soon relieved of the responsible duties of administering the Government of this Colony, it would obviously be imprudent for me to make any statements, which might pledge the Governor, regarding the business that will be transacted during the ensuing session.

2. There are, however, some public measures either already under consideration, or in regard to which recommendations have been received from Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, which ought to be pushed on as soon as possible.

3. As regards the Financial position of the Colony, the Acting Colonial Secretary and Auditor General, in his report of 16th September last accompanying the Estimates for next year, stated that he anticipated that the Revenue of the present year, which had been estimated at $1,230,973, would reach $1,304,000. The actual receipts for the first three quarters of the year have been $1,031,380, or very nearly four-fifths of that amount. There is therefore every reason for believing that his anticipations will be realized.

4. It is, however, very necessary to continue to exercise strict supervision over the expenditure of the Colony, for the year 1888 will commence, (as will be seen at page 3 of next year's Estimates) with a probable balance in hand of only

Add to this the balance of the Loan, say

there will consequently be only

$115,000

$230,000

$345,000

applicable to the extraordinary works already commenced, for the completion of which during 1888, the following sums will be required :

K

Tytam Water Works about,

Victoria College,

Police Buildings,

Military Defences,

$12,000

55,000

70,000

.170,000

$307,000

Nothing, it will be observed, has been set down for Sanitary Works during 1888. Means must be devised, when the Estimates for that year are prepared, for providing funds for this important object.

5. Amongst the measures to which I have referred in para. 2 is a Bill dealing with the Triad and other Secret Societies, as also another regulating the carrying and possession of arms, both which have already been drafted and submitted to the Colonial Office. These Bills were recommended by a Commission which I appointed some time ago to inquire into representations made to me by the Captain Super- intendent of Police and also by the Superintendent of the Gaol, respecting the growing power of the Triad Society. The proceedings of this Commission were necessarily confidential, and it was only on this understanding that much of the evidence was obtained. The Secretary of State has already approved of the pro- posal to pass a new Bill dealing with Triads.

6. Another important measure which will be introduced early in the Session is a Bill for the prevention of abuses connected with the so-called adoption of female children, and domestic service by female children. The necessity of some