402
will be special means for identifying the vehicles I presume by numbers. The section also provides for the issue of licenses by an officer, either the Registrar-General or the Captain Superintendent of Police-most likely the Captain Superintendent of Police. Bection 6 states the offences against the Ordinance and section 7 gives the penalties.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to second the second reading of the Bill, and in doing so I have very little to add to what the hop. the Attorney-General has said. There is only one point to which I might draw attention, and that is the question of fees. The hon. the senior unofficial member and his colleagues, to whom this Bill was referred after it had been read a first time, sent in their opinion, stating they saw no reason why the Bill should not become law. At the same time they pointed out that the Bill should not be utilised for the purposes of raising re- repne, and that the fees should be purely no- minal. On behalf of the Government I beg to state that the fees to be paid will be purely nominal. With these few remarks I beg to se- cond the second reading.
Rill read a second time.
In Committee the Hon. C. P. CHATER said— We are of opinion that the fee should not extend $2 per annum.
Bill passed through all its stages and passed. The Council then adjourned until next Thurs- day. His Excellency stating that he hoped that meeting would be the last for the summer.
FINANCE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council. Hon. J. H. Stewart Lookhart (Colonial Secretary) presided,
MINUTES.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
EXTENSION OF ROADS AT KOWLOON.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The first minute I have to bring before the Committee is one in which the Governor recommends the Council to re-vote the sum of $3,824.13 for the extension of the Macdonnell and Austin Roads at Kowloon. This is a re-vote, and is the unexpended balance of the sum voted for 1894.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.
Carried.
THE REMUNERATION OF THE TAIPINGSHAN ARBITRATORS,
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
|
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-Taking all claims there will be $126 72 over that amount.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Perhaps it will be the most business-like way to add this amount to the present vote.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-I think that is the right course to pursue if it is within our power to do If his Excellency is in his room the amount so. can be easily altered."
The COLONIAL Secretary—I) is a matter not of supreme importance. We can bring the $126 up later.
Hon. C. P. CHATE 3-The matter was before the unofficial members of the Council, and they went into the question very thoroughly, and the decision arrived at was the unanimous one that the sum proposed in the letter that I addressed to you should be given as an honorarium to the arbitrator appointed by the unofficial members of the Council. That being the case the other arbitrator would be entitled to a similar sum, and I shall be prepared either to second the resolu- tion or to bring it forward that the sum pro- posed by us should be given to the arbitrators. In so doing I may take this opportunity of oon- gratulating the arbitrators on bringing so de. licate a matter to so satisfactory a conclusion. In a matter of this nature it is inevitable that there should be some grumblers, but I am of opinion all are satisfied that their claims have had the fullest and most patient enquiry and investiga. tion. That being the case I shall have very much pleasure in seconding the motion proposed by you or supporting it.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-I think $4,000 is far too much. $3,000 would be ample.
The HARBOUR MASTER-I am inclined to 4,000 is as agree with the Treasurer somewhat, much as the yearly salary of a considerable number of what have been termed “highly-paid Government officials," and it would be interest. ing to know what value is placed upon their own services by gentlemen who do not come under this category. It would also be interesting, if you are in a position to give the Committee that information, how many meetings there were of the arbitrators, and the number of hours in the aggregate that were involved in the arbitrament. If it is not in your power to give the informa tion now, I would not ask for delay of the ques- tion at all. It could be furnished at any time. The question could be put to the Committee now, but this is an interesting point from the official point of view.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I have not the information before me now. Of course it can very easily be obtained.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL (to Hon. C. P. CHATER)-You have the number of meet- ings, have you not ?
was that
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The next minute is one in which the Governor recom- mends the Council to vote the sum of $20,000 for expenses incurred in connection with the resumption of Taipingshan. It will be within the memory of hon. members of this Committee that a vote of $800,000 was taken in Council Hoo. C. P. CHATER-No. Perhaps I may state some time ago in connection with the ro- that one of the points which weighed in the sumption of the area in Taipingshan. That minds of the unofficial members sum has been found not to be sufficient, and the no property in Hongkong ever changes Treasurer will furnish the Committee with any hands without a commission being allowed information on that subject which the members by the seller or the buyer. Very often desire. One of the reasons for exceeding that commission of one per cent. is allowed by vote is due to the remuneration that is to the seller and one per cent. by the buyer. We be paid to the arbitrators. The question of put it at per cent. of the total sum to be paid remuneration to be paid to these gentlemen has by the Government for the resumption of Tai- been under consideration for some time, and the pingshan. That per cent, was not to exceed Governor referred the matter to the unofficial $4,000. The Chairman has just informed us members for their opinion. I will read what that the total amount necessary for the re their opinion is on the subiect.
sumption of Taipingshan has exceeded $800,000, The COLONIAL SECRETARY read the letter, and therefore per cent. on the sum exceeding which recommended the payment to Mr. Alford, $800,000 would be a sum of over $4,000. It was who represented the unofficial members, of one by this means that we arrived at the figures, half of one per cent, on the total amonut to be $4,000. If $4,000 be allowed to one arbitrator. paid; such remuneration, however, not to the same sum ought to be allowed to the other, exceed $4,000,
as the, two arbitrators did equal work. We The COLONIAL SECRETARY (continuing)-thought one per cent. of the total, $800.000, The total amount has exceeded eight lakhs, and would be a fair honorarium to the two arbitra- the amount of $4 000, which the unofficial mem-tors. I think, with that information before bers thought ought to be the limit, has been honourable members, they will be of opinion reached. I should like, therefore, to hear any that we have not exceeded or given more than views that any members of the Committee may we probably ought to have. No property ever have to offer on this subject before I a k whe-changes hands in Hongkong under a commission ther they recommend the vote.
of one per cent. at least.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS-I suppose the $20,000. added to the $800,000, will be the maximum sum that the Taipingshan property will cost.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-That will cover the cost of resumption and fees in connection with the said cost.
Hon. E. R. BELILIOS-Everything connected with the resumption ?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-With the actual resumption.
|
[May 29,
1895.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-Does this sum of $820,000 include everything ?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Yes; also the remuneration for the arbitrators.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-Do the actual awards exceed $800,000 P
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER-I should say so, but I have not the figures.
The HON. C. P. CHATER-We took the total cost of the purchase of the property from the vendors. We treated the matter as a purchase and a sale-a purchase by the Government, and a sale by the lessees to the Government.
Hon. A. McCONACHIE-You must remember that the Government had a very great benefit from the experience of Mr. Alford aud Mr. Danby.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER--Mr. Danby appeared simply as a party elected by the lot holders.
·
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I gather from the remarks made by hon, members that there is a slight difference of opinion as to the amount of remuneration to be paid. But I am quite sure there is no difference of opinion as to the manner in which the duties of arbitrators were discharged-(hear, hear)-by Aoting Chief Justice Ackroyd, Mr. Alford, and Mr. were performed in a Danby: The duties manner which gave great satisfaction to the community generally and it is therefore per- haps somewhat unfortunate that there should be a divergence of opinion as to the amount of remuneration to be granted. I take it from the remarks that have fallen that those who consider the remuneration somewhat high are in the minority; so I think I am safe in saying that the vote is recommended to the Legislative Council, and that therefore I am authorised to bring the vote up at the next meeting of the Council,
The HARBOUR MASTER-From my remarka it may be thought that I meant to imply that $4,000 was too much. I did not mean to imply that. I merely wanted to know how the amount was arrived at. I compared it to the yearly salary of Government officials. I did not know what amount of work it represented. I did not mean to imply that $4,000 was too much.
We
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-1 think we are in possession of the views of members. understand the views of the Colonial Treasurer and the Harbour Master, and it appears to me there is no necessity to delay any longer. If honourable members have nothing further to say I take it that the majority of this Committee is of opinion that this vote should be recom- mended.
The vote was thereupon recommended.
At Tientsin on the 10th instant, we learn from the Peking and Tientsin Times, a stoker belong- aing to II.MS Swift. Jesse Hall by name, want on board the worse of liquor. His state being observed by the officer of the watch Hall was ordered below, but instead of complying he made a rush to the side of the ship, and jumped overboard in order to "break out" of the ship. The officer of the watch several times ordered him to come out of the river, but he was about the obstinate and kept swimming ship and finally the officer of the watch (Lieut. Clarke) jumped overboard after him, Hall immediately dived, with the evident inten tion of passing under the ship and getting across the river. However, he did not come up again, and Lieut. Clarke dived several times in the hope of finding him. A boat was quickly lowered from the Swift, but no trace of him could be found. On Sunday, the 12th, the body was found As close to where the Swift had been moored. Hall was one of the best swimmers in the ship it is supposed that he must have got under the cable, and was unable to extricate himself. The deceased was about 24 years old and of fine phy-. The HARBOUR MASTER-I am not aware that sique, and we are told, as a rule. sober and well At the adjourned inquest held on the that rule would be binding upon the Govern. behaved. ment, although I admit it may be a very excel-morning of the 15th a verdict of accidental lent reason for guiding the unofficial members drowning was found by the jurors, Messrs. H.
St. Clair Knox. W. H. Forbes, and E. Cousins if a reason is wanted.
H. B. M. Consul officiating as coroner. The funeral took place the same day, a party of Swifts having come up from Taku by train to attend. The cortège was preceded by the Public Band with muffled drums.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-I mention these facts only to let hon. members know how we arrived at the sum, and, in arriving at the sum, we did not arrive at a figure which was considerably over what is the custom in the colony,
|
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.