May 29, 1895.]
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Legislative Council was held on Thursday. Present:-
His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.
Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
Hon. A. G. WISE, Acting Attorney-General. Hon. A. M. THOMSON, Acting Colonial Trea-
surer,
Hon. F. A. COOPER, Director of Public Works. Hon. R. M. RUMSEY, Harbour Master. Hon, C. P. CHATER.
Hon. Ho Kat. ·
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M.G.
Hon. A. McCONACHIE.
Hon. J. J. BELL-IRVING.
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
moving the second reading of this Bill, I have only this to state, that under section 12 of Ordinance 24 of 1887. Select Committees may be appointed, but they have powers to act only be tween the meetings of the Sanitary Board. This is a Bill which empowers the Sanitary Board to appoint Select Committoes which will have general powers at any time, apd now that the Permanent Committee has been cut down, I think it is most desirable that theso Committees should be ap pointed to carry ont sanitary measures. It will be seen that the Sanitary Board can delegate its powers to Select Committees, and there are penal ties provided for any breach of the Ordinance.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-T have the honour to second the second reading of this Bill, and in doing so I beg to make a few remarks. The work which devolves on the Sanitary Board
Mr. J. G. T. BUCKLE. Acting Clerk of has greatly increased during recent years, and Councils.
NEW MEMBER.
Mr. J. J. Bell-Irving was sworn in as a mem. ber the Council, and he thereupon took his seat.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
MINUTES.
THE PROPER CARE OF ANIMALS.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have the honour to move the approval by this Council of certain by-laws made by the Sanitary Board under sec. tion 13 of Ordinance 2 of 1887. These by-laws deal with the removal to the depots of animals, and with their proper care while in the depots.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS seconded. By-laws approved.
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AFFORESTATION DEPARTMENT.. The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Sir, with re- ference to the statement of the Superintendent of the Afforestation. Department showing disbursements for forestry works in 1896 and
1897, which has been in the hauds of hon. mem-
bers of the Council, I have to move the following resolution:That the Council having considered the statement by the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department resolves that it is expedient to incur the liability proposed
to be incurred in 1897.”
The ACTING COLONIAL second that. Carried.
TREASURER-I
THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-I have the honour to move the first reading of a Bill entitled "An Ordinance to authorise the appro- priation of a supplementary sum of $355,395.89 to defray the charges of the year 1894:"
The COLONIAL SECRETARY secon ́ted. HIS EXCELLENCY-Have you any explanation to make in regard to that Bill?
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-I will make the explanation in Committee.
Bill read the first time.
THE WEARING OF NAVAL. AND MILITARY
UNIFORMS.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entitled "An Ordinance to regulate and restrict the wearing of naval and military uniforms
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second.
Bill read the first time.
The standing orders were suspended.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-In mov- ing the second reading of this Bill I have only to state very shortly its objects. It was drafted in accordance with a Bill sent on from home, and it is simply for the purpose of preventing the wearing of military and naval uniforms by persons not entitled to wear them.. It is practically the same as the one at home. The first section gives the definition of military forces. and then it goes on to say that mili- tary uniforms shall not be used by persons not in the army and navy. There are certain exemp tions in regard to public performances and so forth, and section 4 mentions the penalties for wearing such uniform:
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second. Bill read a second and third time, and passed.
THE SANITARY COMMITTEES ORDINANCE, The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entitled Ordinance to make provisions for the furtherance. of the more effectual enforcement of sanitary
measures.
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"AB
The COLONIAL SECRETARY—I second that, Bill read the first time.
The standing orders were suspended.
The
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The ACTING Attorney-GENERAL-You can deal with it yourself at a future time. Bill read the third time and passed.
AN AMENDING ORDINANCH.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entitled “Au Ordinance to amend Ördinance 17 of 1887.”
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Bill read the first time.
The standing orders were suspended.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-The information so far is very bald indeed-No. 17 of 1887. Notice was sent to us only early this morning. I tried to find out what the Ordinance was, but unfor- tunately was unable to find it. I think it would be better if the second reading were left over to the next meeting. The necessary in for mation should be inserted in the Bill, so that we may know exactly what it refers to.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The object of the Bill being clear on the face of it, explana- tion does not appear necessary. It is merely the insertion of one word " Government" depot, which means that the animals are to be taken to the Government depot.
Hon. C. P. CHATER This is one of many
it is practically impossibly it can be carried op in a systematic and expeditious way if all matters must be brought before the Board. The object of the Bill is therefore to enable the Board from time to time to appoint Committees amongst which the ordinary routine work of the Board may be divided. Thess Committees may consist of two members and not less than one mem-similar Ordinances that are put before ns. I ber and one executive officer, who can easily think the old arrangement should be continued arrange to meet and conduct the business when the information should be supplied in the Bill a full meeting of the Board would not only itself. I have no objection now that I know ex- be unnecessary but under any circumstances actly what the Bill is absolutely impossible. The absence last year of His EXCELLENCY-There is nothing on the any such provisions as are in this Bill necessitated face of the Ordinance to show what it refers to. the Council to pass a special Ordinanco to The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-In mov- anthorise the acts of a Permanent Coming the second reading of the Bill, I have only mittee appointed to deal with the outbreak to state that the Ordinance was introduced on the of bubonic plague. Had this. Ordinance recommendation of the Sanitary Board, who had been then in force these exceptional measures no power to restrict these depots to Government would not have beea necessary, for the Board depots. It is provided that these depots shall could then have appointed three or four of its be under the control of the Sanitary Board, by members to do the work. That the Permanent which they should be liceused. Committee did very excellent work we all very well know, and fulfilled its functions ably, but it is unfortunate in some ways that the Committee to all intents and purposes acted independently of the Board as a whole, and I may state that, as far as I am aware, neither the Board nor the Government has yet received a full and complete report of the work performed by that Committee. Under this Ordinance the Committees will be responsible to the Board, the work will be done by the usual executive officers of the Board, and full and complete records will be kept in the offices of the Board of all work done. If there is any farther explanation that menihers would like I shall be glad to make it when we go into Committee. With these few remarks I beg to | second the second reading of the Bill.
Bill read the second and third time and passed.
THE RATING ORDINANCE.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg to move the first-reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Rating Ordinance,
1888.'"
The COLONIAL TREASURER-1 second that. Bill read the first time.
CROWN REMEDIES.
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL-I beg to move the first reading of a Bill entitled "An Ordinance to amend the Crown Remedies Ordinance, 1875.'")
The COLONIAL SECRETARY- I second that. Bill read the first time.
THE MAGISTRATES ORDINANCE.
The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL-I beg to move the first-reading of a Bill entitled "An Ordinance to amend the Magistrates Ordinance (10 of 1890),”
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. The Bill was read a second time and the Council went into Committee upon it.
Dr. Ho Ka-I think longer notice should have been given, so that those who are affected by the Bill might be consulted.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-About two months ago the Board gave notice to the affect that to premises would be licensed for the seping of swine or pigs. There are no pre- mises licensed at present for the keeping of swine of pigs.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS-I do not see the neces- sity of tabooing private depots, provided they are kept according to the regulations. What object can there be in tabooing private depots ?
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-The Government has erected depots at a large cost. They will only charge a reasonable price, and it is only fair that the whole of the animals should go there.
ing to be postponed, and this was agreed to.
Hou. C. P. CHATER asked for the third read-
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THE LICENSING OF PRIVÁTE VEHICLES. The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-In mov- ing the second reading of the Bill entitled
An Ordinance for regulating the licensing of private vehicles," I may state that the Bill now before hon. members is somewhat different from the one that caine before the Council on the first reading I think you have all seen the amend- ments proposed, and I believe they have been agreed to to a great extent. Therefore I shall, in Committee, move that the amendments be added to the Bill. This Bill deals with all pri vate vehicles. Ordinauce 21 of 1887 dealt with public vehicles, and it must be within the knowledge of all of you that a nuisance has The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
been created by the truck and trollies that Bill read the first tamo... The ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL-In wov-rush out without any control. This is a very come at full speed out side streets and ing the second reading of the Bill I may state dangerous practice, and accidents are bound to that this Ordinace is drafted on instructions come. There have been none so far, but that is from home: Under section 80 of the Magistrates more by good luck than anything else. This Ordinance, a magistrate is allowed to give twelve Bill regulates these trucks and trollies, and you months' imprisonment as the maximum penalty. are bound to take every one in your net, and This was considered to be too much, and direc regnlate the traffic for all private vehicles-for tions were given for it to be reduced to six the man who has a brougham, and the man who has a dog cart. That is only common fair- ness. You cannot deal with one man without dealing with all. The Bill deals with a variety of things, but exempts private jinrickshas, private chairs, bicycles, perambulators, trnoks and cars vehicles as the Governor in Council may from on tramways, or such other
time to time exempt. Under section 4 there is a provision for the regulation of all private vehicles whether ligensed or not,tand there
months.
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The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second. Bill read the second time.
In Committee the ACTING ATTORNEY-GEN- ERAL added this proviso" Nothing in this Or dinance shall aff of any greater punishment specifically provided for in any other past or fature Ordinance."
Hon. A. MCCONACHIE-Can we deal with the
ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-In! future ?
in use
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.