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of one of the busiest shipping pors in the world.

The proposal to establish a meteorolo- gical bentch of the observatory, under skilled management and supplied with the best modern apparatus, commands ap- proval for two reasons. In the first place as Dr. De La Rae has indicated such an institution will furnish the science with valuable and much needed dain, from n locality well suited for the observation and collection of Inets appertaining to certain phenomena of special interest. Secondly,

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH-THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1st, 1881.

COUNCIL.

it cannot fail to have a direct and practical | MEETING OF THE LEGISLATIVE the senior unofficial member expressal value, as being the means of affording se- curity, by its predictions and weather warnings, to life and property. in seas navigated by vast numbers of native and foreign vessels, but subject during four or five months of the year to rotatory -atorins, of appalling violong and danger."

Its operations, like its purpose, will be two-fold. There will be, to begin with. the systematic observation and record of the ordinary phenomena of pressare, tem- perature, humidity, rain, sunshine, wind, and hydrometeors, such as are usual in observatories of the first order; together also with observations of atmospheric elec- tricity.

Referring to Terrestrial Magnetism, Major Palmier observes that although the character of the rocks and soil of Hong- kong and Kan-lung is not the most favour able that could be chosen for inagnetic research, yet the position of the Colony on the magnetic chart, and with respect to other places where observatorics are already established, leaves no room to doubt that well-conducted observations of this class will be of great value to the science. These will comprise observations. for determining the Absolute Values of the elements of the Earth's magnetie force, namely, its Declination, Inclina- tion; and Intensity-as well as those for ascertaining the periodic, secular and irregular Variation's which the elements undergo, and the laws of which still await complete theoretical explanation. The former class of determinations-namely, those of Absolute Values-are pretty certain to be more or less prejudicially affected by local attraction proceeding from the granitic rocks and soil: but the Variations, which form by far the more be important object of research, can deduced just as well in the presence as in the absence of local attraction.

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need long felt in this part of the world, a Agreeing with the necessity for a mo- gratification that his estimate of such stor Government, Captain Deano want which we think might have ad-

derate expenditure on water works, Mr. services had been approved of by the taking or the Colonial Secretaryship, vantageously been supplied long ago. Ryrie stated that he had boon opposed unofficial members, His Excellency following in the footsteps of those ancient from the first to the very large expon resumed his soat amid great applauso.

whilst arrangempats would be made for the apppointment of an officer to and persevering pioneers of sciench, tho Jesuit Fathers, whoso Observatoriés it

diture proposed by the Surveyor-Go- The Bill was then read a second time, act as Colonial Treasurer. Mr. Bolilios Manila and Si-ca-wei, near Shanghai, re-neral, but addod that he was very anxi and Council went into Committee. | asked if His Excellency could do any flect the greatest credit on their energy

ous to have fire tanks made for the The Acting Chief Justice asked His Ex-thing in Peking with Sir Thomas and enterprise in the cause of progress, protection of property, and agreed with cellency if we were to have a Reforma- Wado likely to lead to a solution of we establish for our colony a well-deserved | Mr. Johnson that there were available tory for youthful offendors, and dwelt the Blockade difficulty. His Excellency fame which will live for ages.

means on this side of the island for

upon the necessity for snch an institu- replied-My lion, friend is well aware storing water. Distinctly in favour of tion. His Excellency replied that he of my carnost desire to get these neigh- invite the attention of the Committee a separate system in gaol management, was prepared at the proper time to bouring Customs Stations removed, but may tell my hon. friend with regard himself in favour of a new gaol being to this item, as there could be no doubt to the six wooks' vacution I am now built on a site on this island, if such that we wanted a Reformatory on a about to take on my visit to Peking, could be obtained, in preference to the larger and more practical scale than that I have already writton to Sir Stonecutter's Island proposal. With the oue, established by Sir Hercules Thomas Wade, who has been good reference to the Polico Forec, Mr. Ryrie Robinson and entrusted to the charge enough to invite me to bo his guest, said:"Thero is ono subject that I of the Christian Brothers. On the asking him to inform the Chinese would bog you to allow me to make a question being put that the Bill Authorities that I am travelling simply few remarks opon, and that is, tho polic should be road a third tino, Mr. as a privato individual and not as tho of this Colony. I think your Exceltoney

a. faw obsorvations Governor of Hongkong. When I was is to be congratulated on the present endorsing what the Governor had in Japan two years ago I had to make efficiency of that force. It is a subject sail as to the way the estimates had some remarks at the Chamber of Com- which your Excellency knows I havo been put to the Concil.. The days of moree and I thon took the opportunity takon considerable interest in. I am squabbling and discontent had gone by, of publicly stating I was there simply perfectly convinced now that the forco is in a very efficient, state, and that this

and it was gratifying to be able to say in my private capacity and not as Go- that there had been nothing but good vernor of Hongkong. While therefore is due to the efforts of the Commandant humour and good feeling in passing perhaps I may in some small way be and officorsof that force (hear, hear) →→ the estimates sings His Excolloney of servico to you in this complicated and in a secondary way I would say it canic hore offering the fullest informa- question, it will be only to this extent is due to curtain facts which came out tion, and inviting the amplest disens-that my host, Sir Thomas Wade, and before the commission your Excellency sion. The Bill was then pussel. Some myself will no doubt have a good deal appointed on Polico and Grim. Sug-rathor important references were made of private conversation on the subject gostions were uïule at that commission to the Tramway Bill by Mr. Johnson, referred to, but beyond that I shall not by a mach lamental oflizer of this 3r. Belilios, the Attorney-General, and have any opportunity of assisting you. Colony, who is now demisel, Mr Char- II.E, the Governor, which shall receive The Council then adjourned. los My-(Hoar, her.) I think the adoption of several of his suggestious on that commission has a good deal to do with our present security. A ques. tion has come up lately as to the ro muneration of the force. I think that

A's previously announced, a meeting of the Legislative Council was held at the Government Offices, on Monday afternoon. There were present II. E. the Governor, Mr. F. Snowden, Acting Chief Justice; Mr. M. S. Tonuochy, Acting Colonial Secretary; Mr. H. L. O'Malley, Attorney General; Mr. W. 3. Deano, Acting Colonial Treasurer, and Messrs. P. Ryrie, Ng Chuy, · F. Bulkeley Johnson, and B. R. Belilios. Mr. Ng Choy presented a petition in favor of the Tramway Billsgned by some Chinese and European gentlemen largely interested in property in the colony," and Mr. F. B. Johnson fabled a similar document from the Parsee community.

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The Appropriation Bill for 1882, which stood first on the orders of the day, was taken charge of by the Acting Colonial Secretary, who briefly pro- posed that it should be real a second time. Mr. E. Blkeley Jolusou spoke at great length on the whole subject of the Colonial Estimates, complimenting the department which has the respon- sibility of preparing the acconuts on the very lacul statement which had it would be well for us to do all in one been presented; and eulogising the power to make them contented with Governor on the considerate and sym- their prosent position so that we may pathising policy which His Excellency lose as few of them as we can when and always displayed in his relations the time at which they may retire on with the Chinese, to which, he (Mr. pansin arrives. The arrangement, Johnson) attributed our satisfactory which was also an outcome of that 'com financial position, and the great increase mission, and which was suggested by of trade and general prosperity. Remy hou, friend opposite, whom I am The following remarks on Tidal obser- ferring to the large surplus in hand, much pleased to see in this Council- vation are especially worthy of attention:" the honorable gentlemen strongly ad- my hon. friend Captain Denne-of the There is one instrument which, though|vocated a reduction of taxation, consi- police forco being confined to its own referred to in lis Excellency the Govt dering that the present accumulation duties specially, and not being put in nor's despatch already quoted from, has

is now ample, and that the tax-payers charge of various buildings and various not yet been mentioned in this report, and

have a claim to some relief. which might with advantage be added to

Mr. places which do not come within the the outfit, namely, a Tide-gauge, for the Johnson very sensibly remarked that, duties of a police officer at all-that purpose of determining the laws of the if any public works on a large scale the police should have as nearly as tides at Hongkong, certain phenomena of

were contemplated, it sumed only fair possible namerical force for police a which, such as the diurnal and other

that succceding generations of colonists purposes only-I think that Is had a inequalities, are peculiar, and, I believo,

for whose benefit they would be under-good deal to do with its present position. but little known or understood. An

taken, should bear part of the cost. I will conclude by saying the polico autographic tide-gauge might be set up in a chamber constructed for the purpose Evidently a non-believer in the io expenditure is not one that we should nour the Tsim-shi-tsui Police Station, and that the day is not far distant when gridge, and even if it were necessary attended to each day by man in charge of the Chinese will have the whole of the to incroase it further it is money well the Time-Ball and Weather-Signals. Such trade of this colony in their own hands, spent in ncology like this"-(Applause.) a gauge, of Sir W. Thomson's pattern, the speaker prophesied that as soon as His Excellency the Governorexpress- would cost about £95.

Admiral Ryder sarrested, in 1877, that people of western race give place to ed his thanks to the hon. members for Chinese, our trade would first become the extremely gratifying way in which an automatic Tile-gauge should be set up at Cape D'Aguilar, and placed in charge stationary, and then languish and decay, they had referred to the financial mea of the lighthouse-keeper there. This is confidently asserting that we owe our

sures of the Government, aud review- most desirable, as a means of establishing increase in commercial prosperity eil at length the various suggestions the direction and rate of the tides, and mainly to the energy, enterprise, and brought forward. Agresing that the I recommend that it be carried out unless vigorous initiative of the western reserve fund, which might be roughly the engineering difficulties prove too serious, element in our population. Mr. Johnson estimated at botwocu four and five in which case a suitable spot might perhaps then referred in turn to the desirability hundred thousand dollars, had about be found on one of the headlands nearer to Stanley. A less expensive gauge, of of our roads being put in through order, reveled its normal and proper limit, Newman's pattern, and costing about the educational question and the Central His Excellency promised to choer- £50, would serve for this station."

School, and the proposed improvements fully consider the question of reducing Major Palmer approves in general terms in our gaol system. Congratulating taxation at no distant date, stating at of the site selecteil for the Observatory His Excellency on the satisfactory the same time that he maintained that buildings, as it is probably the best place gol returns, and on the efficiency of the taxation, and especially to tho available, although in some respects it is

the Police Force to which, he added, foreign merchant, was lighter in Hong. not altogether suitable. Mount Elgin is that elevated plateau

a short distance to

we are mainly indebted for the coin- kong than in any other colony he was the north of the Psim-isa-tsoi Police sta-parativo immunity from serious crime acquainted with Referring to the re- tion, and was originally levelled and laid we enjoy, the honorable member venue derived from the Opin Farın, out by a former Governor, Sir Richard expressed his emphatic conviction the Governor again strongly urged McDonnell, we think, as a summer resi- that it was advisable that no time that a portion of the powers given to dence, this plan afterwards being abandon-

should be lost in enlarging the the Opium furner in Singapore should ed in favour of Mountain Lodge. The whole of the instruments required for the gaol so as to extend the separate sys- be conceded to our Farmer, expressing efficient working of the various depart- tem among the prisoners, which, he his belief that this concession would ments connected with the Observatory are

observed, is so obviously necessary not increase the annual revenue from minutely detailed, and the approximate only to the maintenance of morality $206,000 to $190,000 a year. As this. cost of the same carefully estimated. The within the walls, but to have a detorquestion is one of vital importance to particulars of the working, with practical rent effect upon crime without. Mr. the tax-payers, we intend dealing with recommendations as to the formation of a

Johnson concludel one of the most it specially at an early opportunity. qualified staff, together with a workman-

liboral and enlightened orations over His Excellency repented his former like plan of the necessary buildings are

heard in the Concil Chamber by call-opinions regarding the equal rights of laid down in a business like manner which cannot fail to commend itself to the gooding the attention of the Governor to Chineso with foreigners to occupy graces of all mercantile men, and which the wretched state of the road roundhouses and other property in all parts of bears convincing proof of the Major's well-Mount Kellot and by condemning Mr. the colony, and again spoke in favor.

Price's water scheme on the ground of of Stonecutter's Island as the most suit extrayagance, supporting the idea that able place, for a convict prison. Ho a sufficient supply can be obtained by also stated that, after consideration, he having recourse to the streams which had agreed to Mr. Johnson's proposal fall down the Victoria slope, or by tho of having a Council mooting on the adoption of other measures which will first Monday of overy montli," subject, entail upon us a smaller outlay. Mr. of course, to the approval of the Soc.. Belilios suggested that if the taxation, rotary of State. The suggestions re- wore reduced, to the same figure at Iating to tho division of the Finance which it stood a few years ago, it would Committed into sub-committees, were bo a boon to the community generally. also adopted, as it was plainly to be seen Mr. Ryrie also favoured deerensed tax. that this would greatly facilitato public ation, but if any very oxpensive works business. Aftor a few gracious words of were contemplated, ho suggostod that praise to the offlpers of the Government it would be better to wait a little. for their services, and expressing his

Balanced mini,

The total cost of buillings, with cou- plete sets of the most improved instru- ments, and all the requisite appurtenances, including furniture and fittings is

Approx- imately stated at $33,600, and the annual maintenance at $10,000, to which has to bo added after the first year or two, an average annual charge of about $500, for ropairs to buildings, do.

We have now laid before our readers all that is necessary to enable them to thoroughly comprehend the details of this interosting and useful, but somewhat costly, projected institution. The selomo has our hearty wishes for its success, as wo feel convinced that it will supply a

Ryric male

MANILA.

We translato the following from El Comercio:-

On Thursday evening (18th inst.) we had a shower of hail at several places in Manila and it suburbs, which at this latitude may be considered a phenomenon. The size of the stones was that of chick-pea. The natives wore surprisol at the novelty.

The steamer Cebu will shortly be floated and be able to proceed to Eong- long, where she will be careened, which will probably cost $5,000. The owners have already spent $20,000 in raising her, and it will require another $10,000 to emble the elaborate work and ingenuous system to be employed prior to her being able to leave this for Hongkong.

special attention by and bye. The Companies Ordinance having passed through Committee was read a third time, and a Bill continning the French Mail Steamers Status Ordinance for another year was introduced and finally passed. Mr. Ryrie called attention to the mureliable character of the pub. lished reports of proceedings in Logis- lative Council, and recommended the appointment of an official reporter. The honourable momber did not wish to say anything as to why the news- paper reports differed so much, but that they did differ was certain, and thero were other members who would agree with him in saying that they saw themselves in these reports put down as saying what thoy, had not said. The Acting Chief Justice thought an official reporter for these debates might be desirable, although such an official was not required in the law courts, as some

A tornado or whirlwind visited the of the reports there were, he thought, village of Polo, in the neighbouring extremely good and accurato, His Ex-province of Bulacan, at 3 p.in. on the colloney described the practice with 19th inst., and caused great distruction. regard to Hansard's Reports, which are at Maholo and within Polo. The whirl- compiled from the newspaper reports, wind passed through Pineda, demo- and then sent to the members to be re- lishod several houses, and carried away vised. He said they might perhaps re to some distance a man and woman member that one of the most touching and a buffalo, which latter lost a horn. incidents about the death of Lord Boa- and some teeth when thrown to the consfield was the fact that a fow days ground. A cottage disappeared with before his death ho himself corrected the the whirlwind. Later, at 9 p.m., the list speech he made in the House of wind was blowing with hurricane Lords. He thought the time hud come force, coupled with a quick earthquake when official reports should be adopted the direction of which was from S. to in this Colony. His hon. friend was N., and it is believed another shock was right in saying that in Singapore there felt between 11 p.m. and midnight; woreofficial reports. He held in his hand the hurricane increased in violence one of the official reports of the Singa- daring the night with a frightful noise. pore Legislative Council, and in asson- The quantity of rain fallon produced a ting to the suggestion of his hou. swelling of the river Pasig, which friend, what he proposed to do was to overflowed its banks this morning and ask the Colonial Secretary to write at inundated the villages, damaging all tho Colonial Secretary of Singapore the chattels on the ground floors of the for information as to the system they houses. We learn the sad news that adopted there, what it cost, and how the St. Nicolas Lighthouse disappeared. it had worked. When a bad that in-with its keepers yesterday or on the formation he would bave a conversa-night of the storm. It is rumored that tion with his hon. friend and submit, both the koopers and their families on behalf of the Governinent, some have disappeared, but we feel inclined proposal to the Council. He must say to believe that the latter must have that he found in this Colony on the left the Lighthouse before the storm whole, a very correct body of reportors, commenced. The steamer Sevantes Now and then it had been his mis-steamed out with the purpose of fortune to be perhaps misunderstood, gleaning particulars about the Light as other members of the Council had house, and the only vestiges to be seen boen, by the gentlemen of the press. wore the iron, works which supported On a recent occasion, so recont as the the buildings. The barquentine Galeno Inst meeting of the Council, on a subject which was anchored, on the night in of great importanco, words were put into question between the lighthouse and his mouth which were precisely the re- the land, about a milo and a half dis- verse of those ho used." On another octant from the lighthouse, reports having casion, of less importance, at a gathering seen the light at seven to 8.30 p.m.; at of the Irish Famino Fund Committoo at 9pm, the light disappeared and shortly Government House, the report that afterwards, after a violent gust of appeared in one of the papers paid him wind, uoither the lighthouse nor the tho "compliment of putting into his quarters were to be seen. The whole mouth the speeches made by three or must have disappeared between 8 and four other gentlemen, all of which he9 p.m. of the 19th inst. It is the felt was highly complimentary, but, opinion of those who know our bay inasmuch as he did not agros with and are conversant with its dangerous them, it was not agreonblo. His Ex-spots, that, to avoid a ropetition of the colloney then informed the members melancholy occurronco, stones should that he hopod shortly to avail himself be cemented on rocks to a convenient of a fow weeks leave of absence, hight strongthonod with iron bars, with to proceed to the North of China, He other necessarios to insure its stability. night leave the Colony on Thursday The Lighthouse was ultimately found or Friday next, and in the event of his at Cadiz in long. 126 dog. 57 min. E. loaving, Mr. Tonnochy would admini- long, and lat. 14 dog. 27 min, N.

Printed and Published by ROBERT FRASER-SMITH, at No. 15, Wollington Stroot, in the City of Victoria, Hongkong.