December 11. 1895.]
MINUTES.
The miuates of the previons meeting wee read and confirmed.
THE APPROPRIATION *!!
The CHAIwax-Hon moth re are that our object to-day is to consider the Appropriation Bill, and I. propose that we adopt on this occasion the course which has previously been followed, that is, to take each item on the Bill, and explanations can be given on any item that hon. members ask about. take it that that course is agreeable to hon. members.
I
The whole of the items were adopted with the exception of one-Military Expenditure $440,215. In regard to this,
Hon C. P. CHATER said-I would ask that consideration of this item be postponed till the next meeting. The answer from the Secretary of State to his Excellency's despatch was re- ceived by the Unofficial Members late on Mon- day afternoon, and we have scarcely had time to consider so important a question. I would there. fore ask that the consideration of this question be postponed till this day week.
The CHAIRMAN-I do not quite understand the hon. member. Do you mean to say that the consideration of this question should be post poned in the Finance Committee till next week ?
Hon C. P. CHATER-Yes.
The CHAIRMAN-Do I understand you to mean that we are to hold an adjourned meeting of the Finance Committee before the meeting of Council, so that we can consider this item in Finance Committee first and then in Council?
Hon C. P. CHATER-Certainly.
Hon Ho KAI-In consequence of the des- patches laid on the table to-day we should like to have some little time to study them.
The CHAIRMAN-I am sure the Government
has no desire to hurry the consideration of this matter, but the despatch. of course, has been in the hands of the Unofficial Members for some days, and it was also published in the press at the earliest opportunity. However, on the understanding-
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-We understood, at the meeting we had to-day, that there are other despatches of a former date from the Governor containing certain recommendations in support of what had been represented to the Govern. ment by the Unofficial Members in the matter of the £40,000 contribution. If those des. patches could be supplied to us it would enable us to give fuller consideration to this important item than we would otherwise be able to give it. The CHAIRMAN-I think all the important despatches have been printed and laid on the Council table.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT
445
Í the in- tit mod foam il, and to reali do krep the futurest on the moneys raised by loan to
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-I understood several despatches had been written by the Governor. At the opening of the Council last year in his address he stated, I think, and also on some other occasion that he had been in communication with the Secretary of State and had forwarded the views of the Unofficial Members on this subject.
The CHAIRMAN-I will ask his Excellency if he has any other information to give the members. but it must be clearly understood that this item must be brought ou at the Council next Thursday. It is important that the estimates should reach home at an early date, and there can he no delay after ext Thursday.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD-If there are any other despatches will you let the Unofficial Members have copies within the next few days? The CHAIRMAN-I am unable to answer any question of that kind. I think if his Ex- cellency had had other information of use to the Unofficial Members he would have laid it on the table. It is in esible to wait any longer than next Thursday. In fact, it is at the special re. quest of Unoffic" is delay has taken place already. The Government does not want to appear to harry discussion, but it is necessary that dhe estimates should nach bocne at an early I understand the Commultire las do objec adjourn till next Thursday, say till a quartet three.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL-What time is the Council meeting F
|
The CHAIRMAN-At half-past three. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL-Members might not have time to say all they have to say before
the Cure Awa
*ulve
The CHAIRMAN-As the hon. member on my left suggests, Wednesday might be a more convenient day.
Hon. Ho KAI--We shall want Wednesday for ourselves.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-I think a quarter to three on Thursday would be very convenient.
The CHAIRMAN-That gives us three quar ters of an hour. I hope hon, members will have made up their minds so fully on the sub- ject that discussion will not be necessary.
Hon. C. P. CHATER-Our minds are made up, but we want to consider the mode of proce. dure. There is not one amongst us who has not made up his mind to vote against it, but what other course of procedure we may follow we do not know.
The CHAIRMAN→→→→ The Government does not desire to appear to hurry matters, and it is agreed to meet on Thursday next at half-past two. I trust that will be convenient for Officials and Unofficial Members. This item is therefore left over for consideration until next Thursday.
The Public Works Extraordinary items were then passed en bloc.
ADJOURMENT.
The CHAIRMAN-The Committee stands adjourned until Thursday next at 2.30. That is all the business. gentlemen.
THE MILITARY CONTRIBUTION.
At the meeting of the Legislative Council on Thursday a series of papers relating to the military contribution was laid on the table. The papers are three in number, namely, a despatch from the Governor to the Secretary of State forwarding a communication from the Unofficial Members, the Unofficial Member's communication aforesaid, and the Secretary of State's reply. The two latter have already been published. The Governor's despatch is as follows:-
Government House,
Hongkong, 28th August. 1895. Sir. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Ripon's despatch. No. 156 of the 27th June last. on the subject of the military contribution to be paid by this colony.
2-On receiving this despatch I at once communicated it to the Unofficial Members of the Legislative Council, who have forwarded to me the reply, a copy of which is enclosed.
3-Iu this reply you will observe that the Unofficial Members, while not opposing the principle of fixing a proportion of the revenue as the amount of the military contribution. urge that what may be regarded as the muni- cipal items of reveûne should be axempted from the percentage to be charged, such exemption having been granted in the case of the Straits Settlements.
4-As you are aware, no municipality exists in Hongkong, and for that reason no distinction has hitherto been made lætween the revenue collected for general and for municipal purposes, But, though no such distinction has bu made there are certain items of revenue which may legitimately be regarded as municipal, and which, if a municipality existed or ward created, would be levied and expounded by it. The enclosed list, drawn up by the Acting Treasurer (Mr. Thomson, shows what these items are, If this colony is to be tevail in the same manner as the Straits Settlements, where the local or munieyal revenues, angouing in round figures setupt à from coa-
ja!
Ing towards de
Mem-
blat ibums Lais novu tilwe ng bus travel zmeni for the purpose of carrying out, works of a purely municipal nature, such as waterworks, markets, &c., and it appears equitable that the revenue derived from such works, instead of being subjected to a charge of 17 per cent.. should be applied to their upkeep, to defraying
getmet thing aul to forming a sinking fand
vid ultimate Equilation of the -
5. the question of barrack accommodation, the Unofficial Members, as will be seen from their reply, are quite prepared to consider any vote that may be brought forward to defray the cost of such buildings as have not yet been commenced, but they are opposed to voting the moneys required for buildings already erected, as the ratepayers will very much resent being called upon to pay for "works which, without any reference to them "or their representatives, have been already "completed or are nearing completion."
|
··
7. The arguments, advanced by the Unofficial Members regarding the exemption of the mu- nicipal items from contributing towards the military expenditure appear to me to be reason. able and worthy of favourable consideration.
*
*
*
*
I have the honour to be, your Lordship's most obedient, humble servant,
WILLIAM ROBINSON,
Governor. The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c., &c., &c.
THE SUPREME COURT FUNDS
ORDINANCE.
The objects and reasons of this Bill, read a first time at the meeting of the Legislative Council on Thursday, are as follows:-
The object of this Bill is to carry out the instructions of the Secretary of State "that an Ordinance should be passed somewhat on the lines of The Suitors Funds Ordinance, 1891. of the Straits Settlements, under which the Court monies are placed on deposit with the Colonial Treasurer and the Government is made liable to make good all monies so placed ou deposit together with interest at the rate of two per cent. perjannnm."
Where the parties desire to obtain a greater interest than the two per cent. provided by the Bill. they must apply for an order of the Court to sanction any particular invest-
meut.
The Bill is very similar to the Straits Settlements Ordinance above referred to, which was based upon the Imperial Act 35 and 36, Vict. cap. 44, seds, 14–19.
MR. JUSTICE ACKROYD'S
PENSION.
The following despatch respecting Mr. Justice Ackroyd's rate of pension was laid before the Legislative Council on Thursday:
Sir-With reference to previous correspon- dence on the subject of the rate at which Mr. Justice Ackroyd should be allowed to draw his pension. I transmit to you the enclosed copies of correspondence from which you will perceive that I have thought it better to concede the point which he contended for.
I was aware that my predecessor had only arrived at a contrary conclusion after much doubt and deliberation; but whilst I recognise the force of the arguments which found most weight with high, I have thought that as there was a doubt ant as the matter, through some oversight, was hot made clear to Mr. Justice Ackroyd at the time of his appointinent it was preferable on grounds of public policy to lean to the more generous view.
The peusion will amount to two-thirds of 68, PMP, on is ofher words, to $5,600, which, at AL
Pige fate of 121. to the dollar, will
instructed to
The arti
مان
Hongkong Mauritius
n of the sum which the clung Louid contribute towards his total peusion. The payments will then be adjusted between the two colonies. I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient, humble servant.
J. CHAMBERLAIN.... Governor Sir William Robinson, K.C.M.G.
&c., &c., &c.,
Page
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.