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the Irish Fusiliers, the Gloucesters, and the 10th Mountain Battery suggests that our people have not taken quite a correct men- sure of their opponents and have unduly exposed themselves. Two such lessons should suffice to bring the real facts home.
Now that General BULLER has arrived at the Cape and that large additions to the British force are close at hand we may shortly look for news of a different charac- ter from that which we have been Intely receiving. In the meantime, in estimating the present position at Ladysmith, it should be borne in mind that General WHITE is acting on the defensive and holding in check a formidable invasion. The Boers a lopted the policy of precipitating hostili- ties in order to make a dash into Natal before the full British army was in the field. For that purpose they have assem- bled a very large force, characterised, as above noted, by extreme mobility, and it is evident from the results so far that the force, undisciplined though it is said to be, is handled with considerable tactical skill and is able to give a good account of itself. According to a telegram of the 30th Octo- ber the strength of the force trying to invest Ladysmith was estimated at from sixteen to twenty thousand. It is difficult to say exactly what General WHITE's force is at the present moment, but according to a telegram dated 12th October there were at that date eight battalions of Infantry, six Field Batteries and a Mountain Battery, and four regiments of Cavalry at Lady- smith and Glencoe. The only reinforcement of which definite information has been re- ceived is that of a strong Naval brigade, but it is to be presumed that other troops have also been sent up.
It seems, however, that General WHITE is fighting against odds and is in some danger of having his communications cut. Whatever his force may have been originally and with its sub- sequent additions, it must now beless by some five thousand or thereabouts, owing to loss by capture, in killed and wounded, and by sickness. A feeling of relief will be ex- perienced when news is received that rein- forcements have arrived and that Lady smith is secure.
KANG YU-WAI: AN UNWELCOME VISITOR.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND we should harbour Chinese outlaws whose presence here might incite desperato and unscrupulous characters to the crime of assassination. Dr. SUNYAT-SEN, having been engaged in the promotion of a rebellion directed from Hongkong, was not allowed to take up his residence again in this colony, and there can be no question that the decision of the Government in that matter was right and prudent. KANG's caso is not on all fours with that of SUN, inasmuch as the former en- deavoured to carry out his policy by constitutional means and not by rebel- lion. Thut, however, does not change the presumption that KANG's life would not be safe in Hougkong without constant and special police protection. All things con- sidered it would be more satisfactory if he would "move on" and take up his resi dence at Singapore or at some other point still more remote from China.
HONGKONG legislaTIVE
COUNCIL.
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR (Sir Henry BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).
November 4, 1899. labour, and responsibility" involved." That pro- vision is one which is in force in England. With regard to clause 3 of the Bill, that has been introduced in order to avoid the possibility of any ambiguity,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the second rending of the Bill was passed.
The Bill having been considered in committee, and no alterations being made, on the Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and paszod.
THE INSANITARY PROPERTINE BILL. The Council' went into committee to resume consideration of the Insanitary Properties Bill. His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR—I think wo had reached clause 4 (which refers to cubicles).
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-Yes. The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE said that with regard to the question of limiting the size of cubicles, the Sanitary Board had had
the question under consideration the previous suggest that in sub-section g the words "four day, and on behalf of the Board he would beg to feet" be altered to "six feet." That was the original recommendation of the Board.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS said he was inclined to recommend that the clause should
be left as it was. He thought four feet from the window would be enough to allow of the win- kong Legislative Council was held in the Coun- the taking away of the cubicle from the window On Tuesday afternoon a meeting of the Hong-dow being opened wide, It seemed to him that oil Chamber at the Government Offices, there would really be removing a valuable space from being present:-
the owner's floor. Probably it might be used by servants to sleep in or grown-up children be- longing to a family occupying a cubicle, but if they took over six feet they would increase by 50) per cent what had been described as lost space. However, that was not so important as the fact that he considered four feet enough. It would Attorney-give ample room for air and light to get in. He must say that he was in favour of leaving the clause as it was.
His EXCELLENCY Major-General GASCOIGNE, C.M.G. (Commanding the Troops). C.M.G. (Colonial Secretary),
The Hon. J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,
Hon. H. E. POLLOCK (Acting General).
Hou. R. MURRAY RUMSEY (Harbour Master).
Hon, F. H. MAY, C,M.G. (Captain Superin- tendent of Police).
Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. R. D. ORMSBY (Director of Public Works.)
Hon. Dr. HO KAI.
Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD. Hon. E. R. BELILIOS, C.M,G. Hon. WEI A YUK.
The Hon. E. R. BELILIOS-I beg to second the amendment.
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR-It is not necessary to second an amendment in com- mittee.
The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI supported the view enunciated by the Director of Public Works. He considered that removing the cubicle two feet further from the window would not enable the light to penetrate very much further. He considered it a useless waste of valuable spaos Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Aoting Clerk of Coun- and that it would not effect any improvement, oils).
Hon. J. J. KESWICK.
14
Extraordinary a wish was expressed on behalf of the Estimates dealing with "Public Works of the unofficial members that the considera- tion of the items under that head should be postponed for a fortnight in order that the unofficial members might have more time to go into the items, and knowing that your Excellency was desirous of giving every opportunity for full consideration of the Estimates, I took upon myself to adjourn the meeting of the Finance that the vote on account of Water Account of Committee for a fortnight. I therefore more $2,000 be approved.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to lay on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 7). A reference to the report will show that it refers to twe matters. There is an item of $2,000 in aid of the Water Account, and the other matter has reference to the Supply Bill. The first vote was recommended unanimously (Daily Press, 30th October).
by the Finance Committee. With regard to What is to be done with KANG YU-WEI? the Supply Bill, all the items were recommend The notorious reformer took passage ated, but when the Committee came to that part Vancouver by the Empress of India for Japan, but the Japanese Government hav- ing refused him permission to land in that country he is coming on to Hongkong, where he is due to arrive on Wednesday. Whatever opinions may be entertained re- garding the reform movement in China, KANG cannot be regarded as a welcome guest in Hongkong. We understand that there are divisions in the reform camp and that the different sections speak of each other with considerable bitterness, and in particular serious asper- sions are now cast upon Kang Yu-wei. To the foreign public, however, KANG is known simply as a reformer whose Zeal outran his discretion and precipitated a serious crisis at Peking, involving a virtual deposition of the Emperor and the setting of a price on
KANG'S Own head. KANG's escape was facilitated by British assistance, and in ordinary course he could not be denied an asylum on British soil, but it is particularly inconvenient that he should seek that asylum in Hongkong. It is not desirable that this colony should be made a hotbed of intrigue against the established government of China, or that
The COLONIAL TREASURER Seconded, and the motion was carried.
THE LAW RELATING TO SOLICITORS.
|
On the matter being put to the Council it was decided to leave the sub-section unaltered.
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
Ho
suggested that in sub-section height feet by eight feet" be substituted for "64 square feet.” He said the object of his suggestion was to prevent a row of very narrow cubicles being constructed on either side of the room with a very narrow passage in the middle. took it that the intention was, when that sub-section was drafted, that there should be an area of eight feet long by eight feet wide, now a cubicle might be constructed of a very or 64 feet square. As the sub-section stood narrow shape and still contain 64 square feet.
The Hon, Dr. Ho KAI said the proposed alteration would serve no useful purpose. All cubicles must be of a certain width in order to hold a Chinese bed, which was of a certain size. The bedstead as a rule measured about foar foot six inches wide and six to seven feet long, and this had to be placed in, a cubicle together with a table and a wash-stand, but if the words "eight feet by eight feet" were inserted it would prevent many cubicles from being made, although the area might be sufficient. In all these cases it was quite sufficient if they deter mined upon the size of the cubicle, and then The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL-I beg the people might be allowed to make their leave to move the second reading of the Bill cubicle any shape they might choose "in entitled An Ordinance to amend the Law Re-order
meet their requirements. He lating to Solicitors. Honourable members will thought the arbitrary fixing of eight feet remember that in the early part of this year thereby eight feet would be rather a hardship, was an Ordinance passed through the Council and he suggested that the sub-section should. to amend the law relating to solicitors. That remain as it was. It must be remembered Ordinance was sent to the Secretary of State, that this sub-section had been considered by a and these amendments have been introduced large number of persons who had taken a great in accordance with his instructions. Clause 2 deal of time in getting it up. He thought the provides that" Upon any taxation of costs, the Bill before them was as the Director of the Taxing Officer may, in determining the Public Works had described it a compromise.
for his services, have regard, subject to any remaueration, if to be allowed to a solicitor
any, general rules or orders already made or here- after to be made on that subject, to the skill,
to
His EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR—Assuming the present Bill is not interfered with where does any diminution of overcrowding come in by the Bill before us now?
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