Sessional_Paper_1906 — Page 19

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 5.

THURSDAY, 7TH JUNE, 1906.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(Sir MATTHEW NATHAN, K.C.M.G.).

His Excellency the General Officer Commanding the Troops, (Major-General VILLIERS

HATTON, C.B.).

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (THOMAS SERCOMBE SMITH).

the Attorney General, (Sir HENRY SPENCER BERKELEY, Kt.).

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the Colonial Treasurer, (ALEXANder MacDonald THOMSON).

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the Registrar General, (ARTHUR WINBOLT BREWIN).

the Director of Public Works, (WILLIAM CHATHAM).

the Harbour Master, (Captain LIONEL AUBREY WALTER BARNES-LAWRENCE,

R.N.).

Dr. Ho KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G.

Mr. WEI YUK.

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Mr. EDWARD OSBORNE.

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Mr. EDBERT ANSGAR HEWETT.

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Mr. WILLIAM JARDINE GRESSON.

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ABSENT:

The Honourable Mr. HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK, K.C.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 31st May, 1906, were read and con- firmed.

NEW MEMBER.-Mr. WILLIAM JARDINE GRESSON took the Oath and assumed his seat as a Member of the Council.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 31st May, 1906, and moved its adoption.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

QUESTIONS.- Mr. OSBORNE, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions :-

1. Will the Government take steps to improve the Ricksha service by :

(a.) Requiring them to be more strongly built and provided with better

springs.

(b.) Instituting a monthly inspection.

(c.) Making it a condition of the licence that every Ricksha be provided with

a clean white cover to the back and to the seat.

(d.) Introducing first class Rickshas (both for Victoria and Kowloon)

similar to those at Saigon.

2. Will the Government make provision in the forthcoming Estimates for :—

(a.) A market at Tsim-tsat-sui.

(b.) 4 refuse burner.

3. Will the Government take steps to enquire what practical means can be adopted for re-establishing and maintaining the value of British subsidiary coinage on a par with the dollar.

The Colonial Secretary, the Director of Public Works, and the Colonial Treasurer replied.

His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council.

The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to pro- vide for the establishment of Asylums for the Custody and Care of persons of unsound mind, and others.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.