Sessional_Paper_1887-1888 — Page 77

No. 23.

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

FINANCE COMMITTEE,

AT A MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, HONGKONG,

On the 7th May, 1888.

77

C.S.O.

1045 of 1888.

PRESENT:

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary (FREDERICK STEWART), Chairman.

His Honour the Acting Chief Justice (JAMES RUSSELL, C.M.G.), vice His Honour SIR

GEORGE PHILLIPPO, Knt., on leave.

The Honourable the Attorney General, (EDWARD LOUGHLIN O'MALLEY).

the Colonial Treasurer, (ALFRED LISTER).

the Surveyor General, (JOHN MACNEILE PRICE).

the Captain Superintendent of Police, (WALTER MEREDITH DEANE). PHINEAS RYRIE.

WONG SHING.

12

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JOHN BELL-IRVING.

*

53

ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN.

CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

The Committee meet at the request of the Colonial Secretary.

The Report of the proceedings of the last Meeting, held on the 27th ultimo, having been taken as read, is confirmed.

Read the following Minute by His Excellency the Governor :-

G. WILLIAM DES VEUX.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote the sum of Two thousand Five hundred and $2,595,60. Ninety-five Dollars, and Sixty Cents for the Members of the Fire Brigade, in order to provide

for each Member an amount equal to 30 per cent, of his yearly salary.

Experience has shown that the salaries of the Fire Brigade have become insufficient, in view of the increased size of the Town, and the greater frequency of fires; and in the absence of some increase to the remuneration, it will probably be impossible to maintain an effective force.

On the other hand, the supply of water under high pressure, which may shortly be expected from the Tytam Water-Works, will very possibly lessen greatly the labours of the Brigade; and this contingency renders it inexpedient at the present time to make any permanent addition to the salaries.

Until the new water-supply has been available for a sufficient time to enable the extent of Fire Brigade service required under the new conditions to be fully ascertained, the Governor proposes therefore that the question of extra-remuneration each year shall be considered with reference to the work actually done; and he recommends the above sum as a bonus for the past year in consideration of the exceptionally severe work which has been required in consequence of the unusually large number of fires.

The addition of a fixed proportion to the salary of each Member of the Brigade has, no doubt, the disadvantage that some Members will, relatively to the service rendered, be remu- nerated better than others. This plan has however been recommended, after much considera- tion, as on the whole less objectionable than any other which has been devised.

Government House, Hongkong, 7th May, 1888.

After explanation by the Colonial Secretary, the Committee recommend that the amount be voted.