1896-07-08 — Page 3

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form as in convey the idea that the petitioner and the Chinese community by a losg peried al self-sacrifice have made this Colony what it is, and that it properly can best be maintained by "their unremitting exalons, by the self-serifice of themselves, and by the co-operation and Banport of the Chinese, H

but

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 1896.

6. As regards the second polní, namely, whether or not an unofficial element should be introduced into the Executive Council, I would. observe that, whilst most of the larger Crown Colales possess one or more Municipal Councils, rebordinate to the Colonial Government, in Hongkong there is no such Institution. More over it seems impracticable to alter this state of things for this reason among others that the Colony and the Municipality would be in great measure co-extensive, and it would be almost Impossible to draw the lines between Colonial and Municipal matters.

1891 ?

The Colonial Secretary said in answer;—— The Government has seen the reports in the Datly Prets of the 16th March. The ques on of the h. member was referred to the Sanitary Board, when Mr. Ede, a member of the Board, expressed the following opinion-"I think the statement asked for by Mr. Whitehead should not, as far as the Sanitary Board is concerned, be given. The Board acts under the authority of cestato lawn und as far, so 1`know actc.3 in accedence therawith in respect of the cattle

hands, that is, of course, supposing the unofficial the existing constitution in the direction: In I leave to the Governor to determine. I may to day, as well as a copy of the correspondence observe, however, that the Chinese community between the Government and the Dalty Ferm element to be in the majority. Personally I which the petition palets.

There appear to be three practical suggestions|is the element which is least represented while it | Co., Ltd., together with the Colonial Veterinary confess I would prefer to trustlo the future to

is also far the most numerous, and that I should Surgeon's report for 1888 and 1889, also the officials of whose probity I need feel no doubt which are worthy of conderation-

(a) Incresslag the number of the unofficial || regard as valuable any step which tended to report by the Hon. the Saveyor-General, the and of whose policy no speculation need be

Members in the Legislative Council.

attach them more closely to the British connec| Hon; O. Chadwick, and Mr. Ladds, referred to entertained, to a body of elected representatives who might in years to come be returned to office (5) Introducing an Unntficial element alotion, and to increase thele precilent interest in in his (Mr. Ladda') report dated taih January,

the Executiv's Council,

public affairs. Walle admitting the unquestioned importance largely by Chinese or mixed vates, pledged to

(c) Creating a Municipal Council. to the Colony of its present citizens, Hongkong policy I could not approve and which might

17. As regards the first of there three points, does not, as a matter of fact, owe lis importance hare disastrous effects for the Colony. There to the petitioners in any such exclusive manner; might come a ilme even when schemers would I am not faciled to add to the number of fifty-three years of enlightened and pro- find it to their advantage 13 enter the Council, in the Unofficial Members without at the same dent grverstrent, to a long line of able and order to promote projects for their own personal time increasing also the number of Official esteemed men and firms of all nationalities, to enrichment or aggrandisement. This has hap lembers, for in a Crown Colony there must be very distinct preponderance on the Official local industries, to Banks and Steamboat Compened in some countries, and if the power pantes most of them with British capital-and became vested in the elected members of Coca-side, and that the natural result of evenly balancing the numbers of Officials is friction to Chintie, all of whom, moved by no sentimentell it might some day happen bere. We cannot. but that of gain, live here for the purposes of chim any wonopoly of civic vitius. It is

With this proviso, there is, as far sa I can business exclusively. Europeans and Americans opportunity that often creates the boodler and do not come here to "sacrifice themselves for the the rogue. What better illustration of this can judge, no strong objection to lacessing the be given than the case of Jabez Balfour-the numbers of the Council, except that for practical Colony, but to make money, and as soon as they

company promoter and absconder, whose exire-working purposes the number is already suff have enough they retire to their own countries,

diilon is now belag sought from Argentine ? clently large. If, however, an addition is made, am not therefore inclined to vote for the pro-It la dificult on equitable grounds to resist the conclusion that another Chinesa representative vision of the opportunity. Perhaps some of the sigatories to the petlilon have not locked quite so far ahead as I have. I have lived in this Colony for many years—the best part of a life- time-I have seen repeated changes in the per- sons! of the community, and I have witnessed several important changes in the local candi- tions. There will be further changes, and they may not always make for the better..

The Chiocas are essentially, a changing ele ment in the community, most of them being domiciled both in Hongkong and on adjaloing main land. There could be nothing

the

far.ber from the fuel than a contention that the Calaère residents in Hongkong are here ar colonists interested in the place, its prosperity, and with its future, for they have no sympathy with is Government, its laws, or its progress, apart from their individual interests.

A careful study of the Memorial will rèven! that the framer of it had some difficulty in stailog precisely what the grievances of the petitioners are, and he has failed to make any suggestion bow the remedies prayed for are to be applied.

I think I may sum up the prayer of the pati tion in the following requests

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As 1.fotimated at the outset, I think that the unofficial element in the Legislative Council might be increased, but I do sat consider that It would be well for the Colony to allow it to attain a posliion whereby it could over-ride the Government. I, at least, do not forget that in the event of the Governor of the day proving arbitrary ar sareasable the Colonists have always the resource of an appeal to the Secretary of State : this has rarely failed them in the past, and is not likely to prove less efficacious In the future. Morcover, and this is a consider atlon to which I think my fellow-colonists should Im-sitsch some weight, the Officials in the Colonial

1. The free election of Unofficial Members of Council.

2. A working majority of Unofficial Mem- bers of Council.

3. Complete control by the unofficial major ity over the expeadline of the colony.

4. Management of local affairs

5. A confultative voice in matters of an

perial character.

I will take each of these requests in turn. A.-The frus election of Unofficial Members of Council

There is nothing that I can conceive of that misht lead to more serlous consequences to the good repute and usefulness of the Legislative Commell than this proposal. Should this request be granted the Leglitative Council would ces tally have from time to time a most undesis. able useficial element who would not command pabile confidence, and the most important Inter- ests in the colony would not be represented, but, on the contraty, possibly be signalled out for

Alacriminate iteniment.

D.-Management of Local Affairs. What are local affairs ? - The drainage, roads, wharves, harbour, police, Treasury, Post Office, Education, in fact all depagimerts of Government which it is proposed to hand over to an unofficial mejority of persons, The evils that would spring from such a conces sion would destroy all confidence in the admint stration of affalis, and Introduce the Colony to the manicipal experiences of New York and San Francisco,

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There'irnot much more that I can usefully add in the way of criticism of this very short-

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and indiation,

This being so, in my opinion the most prac tical course is le recognise that the Colonial Government is discharging Municipal duties, and that on that account representatives of the should be appointed. On the other hand, this citizens may infily be given a place on the is contrary to the wishes of the petitioners as far Erective. as I understand them; and Mr. Keswick who, 7. I therefore propose that the "Executive to his interesting and temperate letter, which is Council shall in fature include two unofficial enclosed in your despatch, advocates the appolat-members to be selected at the discretion of the ment of an additional Unofficial Member of the

Governor. It is obviously desirable that they. Legislative Conncil, strongly deprecates "the should, as a rule, be chosen from among the addition to the Legislative Council of a second anofficial members of the Legislative Council, and the choice should, and no doubt will be, In- representative of the Chinese",

spired by consideration or personal merit, and have reference to the particular class or race to which the persons chosen belong.......

8. You will receive in due course amended Royal Instructions and in the meantime this despatch may be made public with as intima- tion that the subject has been considered from every point of view and that my decision is to be regarded as final.

The balance of argument therefore appears to be against any change la the present number and composition of the Legislative Council,

18. The second suggestion is that sa Unofficial Member should be appointed to the Executive Council. The suggesti in is made by Mr. Keswick, and you state in your despatch that you have personally so objection to it, and that the can- Cession would be very popular sad not altogether impolitic,

I can well remite that the addition of a gentle. man of high standing and great local experience would be a gain to the Execution Council, and I

. shall be prepared to sanction the proposal if you following points."

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I have the honour to be, Slr,

Your most obedient,

humble Servant,

J. CHAMBERLAIN,

VETERINARY SURGEON.

Hon. T. R. Whitehend :-WII the Gore.a» ment inform the Council what steps have be taken or are proposed to be taken to secure the Immediate services of a Veterinary Surgeon, and fit the intention of the Government to provide in fature against the contingency of the Veterinary Surgeon going on leave?

The Colonial Secretary said The qed tion was referred to the Sanitary Board,

when

their seats. It is necessary that Gaveinraent should give the unofficial manibres of Covauti the opportunity of studying the puretapuadrare and despatches which panel tetierea 120 Colonial Authorities and the Fleiss etheials ‘5 connection wiK 20-

1 The Resignation of the Upo1ficat moment, of the Board.

II. The appointment of the Medical officer of Health, his position, and velation to the Sanitasy Board.

IIL 100 Ramendations of the Unofficial members of Cosell,

IV. The Colonial Governmentí masons, and argamers in support of the necessity for now proposing tors alter and change the constitution of the Board,

The sole and only remedy proposed in the draft bill eattled "The Sanitary Board Ordin anry of 176," in the redaction of the Unofficial plague at the Dairy Farm. It would be vera- ilous waste of energy and Ume to fartish such a membera frën "not more than 6" je 2, and of tion of matters from day to-day, and I am tached to the Bill, that the Secrétury of Stats has complete and detailed account of the actual post-this it appears in the objects and reasoIS BL entirely opposed to the principle involved in approved. I feel quite certain Sir Wm. des supplying reports of this natate. If any perron

Veux and the Secretary of State in 1888 did not has a grievance in connection with this matter sanction a majority of unofficial members on the Board without having first made the ve y fullest against the Sanitary Board he had better state

With Mr. Ede's views the other members enquiries, and conclusively antisfied themselves of the Board agreed, and the Government also of the wisdom of their deliberate action. Unless concure in them.

we have befoin us very substantial grounds and strong reasons, we cannot, 1, think, Jasily are beginning to undo the work

of a former Secratary of State, and a formug Gavirate he was so highly exterused and respected, I think the British members of the community confined on 15th and 16th May last most emphatically the experlance throughout the vast British Empire and British India, viz, that for the general improvement of Sanitation the co-operation of the public through there legally elected representatives is essential. I respectfully ribmit, Sir, it is not only necessay- built in Indispensible' that the Government | should publish all the correspondence and papers. They are the sole and only material which can enable the unofficial members and the public to form an independent and, acetrats opinion I on the merits of the very important change now proposed. I therefore beg to move that the was because it was felt that Veterinary

letters or communications from the Governor ez Surgeon would be on the whols the best

from any officer of the Government addressed to kind of Man to have to supples the Senior Unofficial member with a view to the importation of cattle for food, the manage obtain from him and from his colleagues Kay ment of the public slaughter houses and markets, expression of opinion on the subject of the Sank that the Board urged some eight or nine years tary Board, coples of the correspondence betwee ago the appointment of such an officer. The

the Colonial Government and the home antheri- title then recommended, and adopted was

ties, coples of the correspondence and reports in Inspector of live stock and markets. When the connection with the Sanitary Hoard in the time title was changed it was speclically laid down of Governor Sir Wm. Des Vitr, and Adminis that it meant no change of duties. The mere trator, now. Sir Francis, Fleming, and all other fact that a trading company has been so unicre documents bearing on the question. tunate as to lose by far the greater number of

Hos, Dr. Ho Kal seconded. their milch cows does not seeta ka mao u vezion

The Colonial Secretary:-In regard to the why the ratepayers of the colony should be motion I have only to niste what I said a short would be for all practical purposes a slnecnie Boxed has been referred to the Secretary of H. McCallum." From the views expressed by State and that the Government does not propose the Secretary, with which all the members of

to lay upon the table any papers until his the Board, including Mr. Ede, agreed, It appears

necERSKIY,

the Secretary wrote the following minute:-* I can hardly think the Board will recommend the engaging of un`masistent Veterinary Surgeon-and that reems to be the only reasonable reading of the question-ink- much as !! it were not for the work which has to be done in the managing of the public slaughter. houses and food markets there would be practi

Office have had a vast and varied experienced sill recommend it after further considering the Governor. Sir W. Robinson, K.C.M.G., &C., || cally nothing for a Veterinary Surgeon to do. It overnment lay upon the table copies of all

In none of the thres Eastern colonies at the present time is there any unofficial element in the Executive Council, and I am not clear that the step would in all cases be actively beneficial, whereas I am quite clear that the existing system bus on the whole worked well, and therefore there is no strong reason for disturbing !.

&c., &c.

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

of legislation in scores of colonies, where all kinds of conditions pravall, and they can and do afford the Colony great militance la legislation, sending out drafts of Bills that have worked smoothly elsewhere to be adapted to local circumstances. The Colonial Office is also in some cases a useful restraint on local extravagance, and when it occasionally, from

In the next place I note that Mr. Keswick want of appreciation of local conditions, urges a needless outlay like that for the proposed New proposes that the Unofficial Member should be Gaol, It has been found possible by prudent consideration that it would be invidious and of English birth. It must, however, be takes Governors to postpone and aliimately swold it

I have no mind to try an experiment which inequitable to lay down that Chinese subjects might, in homely language, prove a leap from of the Queen shall be debated from appointment the frying pan, into the fire. In England the to the Exective Council, and therefore the majulty of the people are now thanking God possibility of the appointment being hereafter that they possess, in tha Hanse of Lords, a check filled by a Chinesa gentleman must be reckoned C.H. Hastings, R.N. (Acting Captain Saperin. | saddled with the salary of an officer whose. pat· time ago, that the construction of the Sanitary upon tash and exclied legislation, and I think with. that in this Colony we should not be impatient

In the third place, you state that practically of what are not so much leading strings as unofficial asteance in the Executive Council

afeguards for sound administration in a place

* could always be oblatoed, li the status quo. H. Whitehead, Hov. f. J. Bell-Irving, Hon. that an assistant Veterlaary Surgeon is not instructions have beeri received. where the vast bulk of the population consists of were maintained" and you add that you natives of the adjoining great semi-civilized and variably consult the Unofficials before bringing fato Council messures of purely local interest." not too-friendly Empire.

There is therefore not likely to be much practical gain from the formal appointment of an Un- official Member to the Executive Council.

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Belleva me,

Dear Sir,.

Yours very faithfully,

E. R. BELIZIOS...

sighted and, as I view it, mischievous Fetition, To His Excellency Sir William Robinson, standing might be come to that in the case of

which I bave endeavoured to consider with an open, saprejudiced wind as to the motives which underiid it, and its substance, but I would per haps do well to make a few general remarks on the whole subject.

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Under a nominally popular "Government asia that of New York, for example (to which I kavá already relerred), the greatest abuses may be perpetuated, and it is almost impossible to con- ceive a representative Government properly so-called put into operation in a peculiar place nke Hongkong without the worst abuses crop- ping in. I can see soom for and danger of the worst abuses! It la incumbent on those who agitate for a change to show how they mean to prevent such sbuses, and to do this the petle doners ought to have laid bare their scheme in full detail,

K.C.M.G., &c. &c, &c.

Despatch from the Secretary of State

to the GoveFNOT.

HONGKONG,

DOWNING STREET, No. 135

August 23rd, 1894. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 133 of the 5th of Juos last enclosing a petition addressed to the House of Commons by various residents at Hongkong praying for an ainendusent of the constitution of the Colony,

A meeting of the Legiilative Council was held this afternoon. There were present His Excellency the Governor, Sir William Robinson, K.C.M.G. (President); Hon. J. H. Stewart Lockhart (Colonial Secretary), Hes. H. E. Pollock (Acting Attorney-General), Hon. F. A. Cooper (Director of Public Works), Capt. W.

tendent of Police), Hon. A. M. Thomson (Acting Colonial Treasurer), Hon. R. M. Ramsey, R.N. (Harbour Master); the Hon. C. P. Chater, Hor.

E. R. Balillos, C.M.G., and Hon. Dr. Ho Kal, unofficial members, and Mr. F. J. Badeley, Acting Clerk of Councils.

MINUTES.

NEW PUBLIC OFFICES,"

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Hon. T. H. Whitehead :-Will the Govtra- ment inform the Council the cause of delay in taking stops to obtain, by pubile competition, The minutes of the last meeting were read plans and design for the proposed new Gereza

ment offices, including the Post Office and the Supreme Court, as directed some time ago by and confirmed.

Governor!

It has occurred to me that possibly, lastend of making any such appointment, some under discussion of specified local subjects, at any rate THE SECRETARY OF STATES DESPATCH, so long as there is no municipality in existenca

His Excellency said he had the honour to lay at Hongkong, one or more Unofficial Members

upon the table coples of the correspondence should be summoned to take part in the pro which had passed between himsell as Goremor ceedings of the Executive Council, without giving of this colony and the honourable the Secretary them seats on the Council for all purposes. This of State for the Colonies with respect, to the is point on which I shall be glad to have your petition which was addressed by the ratepayers opinion.

of this colony to the Secretary of State. Mr. 18, With regard to the institution of a mual-Chamberlain apologises for wok haring dealt cipal council, I frankly say that I should like to

with this question before owing to pross of see one established at Hongkong. But there business. He states that, as Lord Ripon said appear to be two practical dificulties in the way, in 1864, the status of Hongkong as a crown The first is the present crisis. I am not prepared colony could not be changed, so he could give to sanction any important change of administras

no hope that the position could be changed, tion, until the future in tolerably clear and until Mr. Chamberlain, however, recommended the necessary measures for profecting the heali

two changes, one in the Legislative Connell, of the Colony have been finally decided upon which he recommended the inclusion and brought into operation. Then, in a cleat of the Officer Commanding the Forces field, it may be possible to create a municipal as an official member, and of an unofficial mam body with some prospect of sucCUES.

The second difficully, to which allssion has bar, whom he suggests by a person representing Chineas Interests, as that would probably make already been made," is that of separating muni- thams, take a greater interest in affales. With

The Hos. Colonial Secretary said Un- roldable delay bas arisen owing to the time required for obtaining and scheduling the information and preparing the conditions which must be definitely decided before competition CTO he lavited. The scheme of erecting new Govern- ment offices has been referred to the Secretary of State for his sanction and he has called for a farther report, especially as regards the manner in which it is proposed to meet the expenditure required to carry out the proposed scheme.

RE SANITARY BOARD BALLOT. Does the Government intend to take any action for the reconstruction of the Sanitary by the British members of the Community at Board in accordance with the opinion expressed

the ballot taken on the 16th day of May Isst, the all of which was duly reported to the Govan ment by Mr. N. J. Edo ?'

"The reply was--The question of the referred to the Secretary of State for his Baal decision and he has been informed of the result of the ballet to which the Honowable member refers.

THE COST OF GAP ROCK LIGHTHÖVSE AND THE SPECIAL LIGHT DURE.

2. This petition was forwarded in you by Mr. Waltehead, Member of the Legislative Council, Mr. Keswick and Mr. Belillos have refused to sign it. It bears the signstures of Mr. Chater and Dr. Ho Kal, both Members of the Counell, of Mr. Jackson, Manager of the Hongkong and I consider that for all practical purposes the Shangbal Bank, and of other leading residents. I am therefore bound to assume that it is the prezent number of five is rufficient, but as there is a good deal of fealing expressed from time to matured conviction of at least a considerable | cipal from Colonļai matters. I am not confidant | reference to the Executive "ouncil, Mr. Cham. i construction of the Sanitary Board has been time, that those persons of European and propertion of the most influential members of the American nationallues who are neither members Community that constitutional changes are desirable at Hongkong and that for the present of the Chamber of Commerce war Justices of the

Crown Colony rystem should be substituted Peace bare no representative in Council, I

for some measure of self-government. It is my would recommend that they should have only duty to axamine the arguments which have been and that their voting privileges should be based brought forward, with care and attention; and on the rents they pay,

I think that it would be of considerable Aalst should be wanting in courtesy if I did not give a ince to the Government to bave one Unofficial fall answer to a petition, which is far reaching Member of Council of English birth in the in its scope, and which has been strongly Executive Council. Many questions continually supported artse in which knowledge and experience outride the circle of "vernment might be of consider able value, and add to the Executive strength,

In conclusion, I would strongly deprecate the addition to the Legislative Council of a second representative of the Chinese.

I have the honour, to be, Sir, Your Excellency's most obedient Servant,

*J. J. KESWICK. To His Excellency Sir William Robinson,

K.C.M.G.

[ENCLOSURE 4) Hongurable. B. R. Bellies to the Governor,

Hongkong, 29th May, 1895. Dear Sir, I am fi receipt of your letter of the 21st instant informing me that a petition to the Hasa of Commons has been forwarded to you by Mr. Whitehead with the request that you will send it to the Secretary of State, and asking me, as an old resident and a member of the Legislative Council to give my opinion in regard to that petition. As you opins, Tamfally aware of the prayer of that petition, and it is no doubt within your knowledge that i declined to append fi

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I cordially welcome what is said in the petl tion as to the skill and energy of the British merchants who have been or still are residenta In Hongkong, and I can testify with pleasure to their public spirit. But the fact remains that the overwhelming mass of the community are. Chinese, that they have thriven under a certain form of government and that in any scheme involving change of administration their wishes should be consulted and their interests carefully watched and guarded,

that that difficulty can be overcome, nor beclain agreed with his (the Governor's) recoms confident that a municipality would be welcome mendation made in 1895 for two mooficial mem- to and work harmoniously with the military bers to, be säded to inst, and kis Excellency authorities. Stil it is possible that the Sanitaryanomacod that he would appoint the senior | Board might be developed into a satisfactory reticlal member of the Council, Mr. Chater, Municipal Council controlling all or some of the and Mr., J. J. Bell-Irelog to that Council. As revenue which is now derived from rates the new uncficial member of the Legislative Whether any scheme of the kind is feasible I

Connell he bad appointed Mr. Wel Yık, a well would ask you carefully to consider at your know and excellent man, thoroughly qualified leisure, and in the meantime you are at liberty,for Can office. If you see occasion to do so, to give publicity to this despatch.

I have the honour to be; Sh.

Your most obedient, humble Servant,

RIPON

Despatch from the Sicretary of State to the Governor.

Hongkong,

Downing Street, No. 119,

29th May, 1896. SI,I have bad under my consideration the 7. The communities with which Hongkong is quence of the petition for an amendment of the

correspondance which, has passed in conse in the petition unfavourably contested, as constitution of Honghong which was addressed regards, its made of government, rear, to the House of Commons in the year 1894 Cyprus, Mauridas, and British Honduras and on which my predecessor had not given Hongkong, it seems to me, differs from all of

final decision before he left office. these four dependencies of the British Crown wilke in degres and in kind. It is smaller than any of tham, it has no history or traditions, no record of old settlement or of political usages and constitutional rights. It has practically no Indigenous population; and, 1! 1 understand right, it has few life-long residents, whether European or Chinese.

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15. To sum up, the petitioners ask nominally

1. I should have been glad to be able to communicate with you on the subject' at an of business at this department has been excop- earlier date, but, as you are aware, the pressure tional for some time past.

3. In his despatch of the 3rd of August 1894, Lord Ripon atated that he could hold out no hope that Hongkong will cease to be a Crown Colony. Neither can I hold out say and hope, los 1 concefre that in the case of

REPORTE,

The following reports were laid on the tabla ----- Report of the Director of Public Works for 1891.

Harbour Master's Report for 1895. Report of the Postmaster General for 1895, Returns of Superior and Subordinate Courta lor 1895

Report of the Superintendent of the Botanical' Department for 1895.

Report on the Hongkong Volunteer Corps Report on the water supply of Hongkong. Report on Plague,

The Acting Colonial Surgeon's Report, 1895. The Sanitary Superintendent's Report for 1895. The Registrar-General's Report for 1995. Financial Ketumu See the year 1895. Educational Report for 1895. Report of the Law Commitee upon the law relating to births and destks,

COLLEGE OF MEDICTOS POR, CHINEE, His Excellency stated that, with the consent of the honourable members he proposed in withdraw - Financial Minute No.

3 for short time. In it the' Government proposed to. for Chiness. But his Excellency, and yesterday appropriate $40,000 to the College of Medicine

· to ・ take “steps to

place and its circumstances are wholly unsalted and with whatever supposed saleguards me to that the tide of the collage be changed to the for what is proposed

the Executive power would be wholly out of Housedaction of scents other than Medical College, on its to admit An Imperial Station with great Imperial place. Interests, on the berders of a foreign land, the

There ramala two practical points to be Chinese, and decided. The first is whether the present come give the anciens of wide-reaching British interests in the

graduates proper was Kast, must, it appears to me, be kept under tiation of the Legislative Council should be in to this and he and asked the pen lemen spesial protection and under Imperial control. any way modified. The second is whether an unsalted to draw up a bill embodying these In saying this much I am arming that the unofficial element should be introduced fate the fargestions and submit it to him as soon as selfgovernment would be worthy of the name, Executive Council. and that the elective system would include all

Will the Government lay upon the table s statement shawing :-----

(1) The cost of the construction of the Gaprock Lighthouse and the cost of laying down the cable cenaceting Gaprock with Hongkong; (2.) The total cost of maintenance of the Light

and the cable to the 30th ulta; and

(5) The total proconds of the special Gaprock Lighthouse rate, imposed for the specific purpose of rambursing the Govenment the cost of the Gaprock light and the connecting cable,from the date it coss levied to gath

ults.

The reply was-The papers asked for have already been laid upon the table.

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31is Excellency :—Do you wish to take a vota on the motion, Mr. Whitehead ?

Hon. T. H. Whitehead-In reply to the Colonial Secretary,' I still think it" would be desirable 'to have the papers now in order that the unofficial mambers may have the opportunity to examine the views before the Secretary of State has extiled it.

His Excellency -You understand that the Secretary has, in addition to the correspondence, the result of the ballot ?

Hon. T. H. Whitehead :----Your Excellency promised to lay all the papers upon the table sa soon as the Secretary of State's Instructions. had been laid upon the table.

The Colonial Secretary:—The decision of the Secretary of State at that time was supposed to be final. Therefore it is necessary to wait until the final decision has been received.

Han, C. P. Chater 1--I should lika mymil to have there papers printed and published, and I would have supported my honourable friend in bringing forward the resolution. But after the remarks of the Coloniei Secretary I think wa must rest asilzfied until instructions are received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Hon. T. H. Whitehead-Under these circum. starces I withdraw the motion.

FIRE “LOOK-OUT.

Hon. E R. Belfios gave notice-thai at the next meeting of the Council Ke would sak ; with reference to the recent fire in the harbour on the Glam Caladh ; is there a 'fire lookout at the Police Station at Teimtraichol and if there is not, why has it been "discontinued?

FIRST READINGS,

The following bills were read a first ilma 1----- A Bill entitled An Ordinanca to further amené the Law relating to Widowi' and Orphans' . Pensions,

A

A

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Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorier the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Oni Million Two thousand Two kuwi dred and Seventy-five Dollars and Seven Cents to defray the Charges of the Yor 1895

Bill entitled As Ordinance to make better brovision for the Sale of Food and Drugz In a pure state.

A Bill entidad An Ordinames to regulate tha Admiralty Proudure of the" Suframe Court.

A

A

Bill antiită An Ordinance to amas “The

Marriage Ordinance, 1878,”

The

Bill entfiled de Ordinance to alter the Hile of Prison Officers employed in this Colony,

MATURALIZATION OF THE BITW. *

Bill entitled An Ordumice for the Naturalization of Las Shai was rend a second time, considered in committee, raad sthird time, and passed.

CONTACTE OFFENEKES,

The Bill entitled An Ordinance to provida

WHERE ARE THOSE SANITARY BOARD FAPERE? Mr. Whitehead ---I rise to move the resolution of which I have given dne notion, calling for the correspondence and papers connected with the necessity for the proposed reconstitution of the Sanitary Board Ordinance No. 24 of 1887 is untitled "The Public Health Ordinance," and was not sanctioned by the. Hama Gorein- mant without the fullest enquiry, "The enact, ment passed this Council after protracted debate and discussion on the 23rd September, 1887, but was not assented to by the Governor unill the goth day of May, 1883. The Secretary for the time of starch warranit in the case of of State's despatch anthorising it stipulated that suspected Coinage Opencea,, was swad a second and by degrees, and with gvery due considers- and passed.

́LIGEMEING ORDINANCE, this legislation should only be carried out slowly time, considered in committee, read a third tinsa

Sanitary Board in 1888, and Section states the provisions of The Licensing Consolida

The Bill entitled An Ordinancs to supplement was this Ordinance which created the present that the Board shall consist of 4 offels), and How Ordinans, 1887% max rand ascend tiene the first years of the Board's altistance, I belleve dnally passed. not more than 6 unofficial members. During | passed in committes, read a third timsa and

letters and memoranda from its Indivlina)

BIRTES AND DZATÉS, members called the attention of the Government

end my signature to mach pleasure of the

and an îlectifra systém.. In my oplaten, thongkong, Representative Government-op i hald a'consultation with the, principal medies: | tion for the interests to be affected thereby. It opportually now afforded me to set forth the seasons that prompted me to adopt a counsel opposition to that taken by the majority of my unofficial colleagues in the Legislative Council. I am of opinion that a some, hat larger share in, and control over, the administration of parsly focal affairs should be conceded to the British taxpayers of the Colony; but I think the pati- tion Econ too far. It contemplates the otter swamping of the official slemani in the Legisla- tive Council and the introduction of Undificial ranks of the community, but this is not what the Mambers late the Executive Council I am see

· prepared to advocato such a sweeping change.

*

The Council went falo Comuslitas on the Biff to certain defacts in the working of the Board, entitled din Ordinance to amend and consolidata sucrested Improvements and alternions: the law relating to the registration by Bleiks 1800 during Sir William Des Ves and Deaths. The amendments proposed Francia Fisming, then Administrator, famed

In

On the first of these two points my view in / possible. He hoped that Mz. -Belfios work absence on leave, bat at bygga bif-by the special Committed were adopted, without

passed.

as follows:—I gather that the Legislative Coun. Petition demands. Those who framed it and cil, as at present constituted, is large enough for signed is would, 1 gather, desire to place the practical purposes, and that an increase to its seed In the event of a large increase in the number in the hands of a select few, and to come numbers is hardly firely to add to lis efficiency stitute a small oligarchy, restricted by the lines to any appreciable extante. As Hongkong is to of race. To any such change I am opposed remalu a Crown Colsey so ustal purpose would

makler that the wall-being of the large majority

A

te the proposals and continue his generous her temat ponder fach be when presented, would ultimately be

QUESTIONS.

acumion, and the bill was reported to list

Council es amended..

definits proportie after very full enquiry, for extending the Board's powers and improving lis

THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. organisation, Bir Wm. Das Vans, returned to the Colony but only for a few months, as 拉

Hon. C. P. Chater at this stage garo thanks health compelled his retirement from the service for sis totally unexpected hanon which had bam Mr. Whitshand asked the following ques in 1897. Hence nothing was then dons, and conferred whom kiss in appointing kim a member nothing has been done whos. It is very desirable | of the Executive Councils je which he promised -CATTLE DIZRAISE.

that we should, if possible, have the opportunity to do his utmost to sesist the Government and Hon. T.H Whimband asked:Has the of considering Sir Francis Fleming's proposals, protect the intersets of the colony,. attention of the Gorament been directed Red the relative papers, so that we may bacoma Hon, J. J. Bail-Irving muči that it gave ku to the account in the Dakly Press of 15th signaluted with what were the defects in the great pleasure to scorpi the appointment, and March of the ineundiary); stats of things werking of the Bound found to exist in practice. Le promaleed to do all in his pown to Euclide the "dming the Front "Call" disease" Dogs The In 1895 Germanent appointed the Medical | laturusta of the Colony, cattle at Pokfulam, and will the Gora Olor of Health a member of the Sunday departamente "send" shownplanetas

of the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council being conceded, I am very doubtful

be served, but on the contrary confiden ble gens whether, even now, suitable man with themooded of the inhabitants is more likely to be safeguarded amount of neodices inilation would be caused by leisure could be found whose position would by the Crown Colony systems, under which, as | balancing eranly the unofficial members and the admit of their seceptance of the "duties and far as possible, no distinction is made of rank or officials. But having regard to the fact that in responsibilities involved. Most of the remain-zace, than by the representation which would the absence of the Governor, the Officer Com ing enpresentative residents have their time so leave the bulk of the population wholly remanding the Troops will in fature administer the --fully occupied thai thay, would be compelled in presented, de

Geverament, I consider that it would be of decline the honour. But supposing that goed I was therefors hold out me hope that Hang, advantage that he should be a maerber of the Weislators could now be found, am by no kong will can'w to be a Crown Colony,

Legislative Conseil, and if he is added to it, I am means satisfied that there would always be dis 16, It remains to owneden, whether may stap willing to add one unofficial member to the un- ting successors to them or that the interests we can be taken which, while not interfering wil | amicial bench. Who the letter should be and Stave echindi na kere would be sale is their fine Crews Colony by dom, woda singily modity. wand opened internly if my, the