applicable to the rest of such New Terr ries. difficult to see why laws applicable to the halfe of village like Sam Shui Po, tance, should not be equally capable of to its northern half. Section 4 is inten to meet cases, such as sections 13, 54, nd 57 of Ordinance No. 24 of 1887, where expressions a8 ****
the villages and rural dis- ricts of Hongkong and Kowloon” are used.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the motion was carried.
The Bill was considered by the Council in committee. Several alterations were made, and consequently the third reading was not moved on the Council resuming.
THE LAW OPIUM ORDINANCE, The ATTORNEY-GENERAL proposed the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to further amend the Raw Opium Ordinance,
1887
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pro-
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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The CHAIRMAN said-Before we proceed to consider the Appropriation Bill there are two minutes which I wish to bring before the com- mittee. The first is one in which His Excel lenoy the Governor recommends the Council to vote à sum of $944.04 to cover the cost of es- tablishing telephone communication with the Police Station at Santin, This Police Station is in the New Territory, and I am sure all members of this Council will recognise the importance of having all the Police Stations in telephonic communication with the Central Station. I am sure this vote is one which will commend itself to your favourable considera
tion.
The vote was passed.
The CHAIRMAN--The next minute is one in which His Excellency the Governor recom mends the Council to vote a sum of Three hun dred and Eighty-one Dollars and Seventy-five Cents ($881.75) to defray the cost of various articles required for the Government steam lighthouse tender Stanley. Honourable mem- bers will remember that the Stanley is a new boat which has just been completed for light house work and work in connection with the New Territory. This vote is to cover the expense of crockery and various other articles required to complete the outfit.
The vote was agreed to.
The CLERK of COUNCILS then proceeded to read the different items. On his reading the item "Public Works Department, $123,306,"
The CHAIRMAN said-At the last meeting of the Council the senior unofficial member raised the question as to whether the staff of the depart ment would be adequate to discharge all the differ ent works contained in the estimates for 1901. On that occasion I promised that the matter should be enquired into, and that at the next meeting of the Council information would be given on the point. Would the Director of Public Works kindly give the information required P
engines and the have led me to an extra overseer
The CHAIRMAN posed increase in the late to insert it in the unofficial members recommend can be forwarded to the Secretary of I have no doubt would sanction it.
The unofficial members signified their proval of this course.
The CHAIRMAN—With regard to the engines at the Kowloon Water Works, I see that the question was raised at the last meeting of the Council. Perhaps it will be well, to let the Council know what steps have been taken in that direction.
The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS-Our trouble at Kowloon Waterworks commenced in June of this year one of the wettest Junes on record in Hongkong. There were two accidents occurred during that month. The earth embankments gave way. The result was that an enormous quantity of sand got into the engines and seriously damaged the valves, piston rods, and other parts, The water was abundant but the engines were out of order. We have done the best we could during the year. The only complaint within the last few weeks has been made by some gentleman who said that he had too much water that his pipes were bursting and his house was flooded. Howover I thought it would be well to get the best opinion we could in the colony as to the Kowloon water supply, and I obtained the services of a thoroughly qualified man to make a report on the subject. His report has not gone forward, but I may say that he was examined the engines, but he is of opinion that if the machinery is thoroughly repaired and a new boiler provided we should be all right for another four years.
The CHAIRMAN-Is there any other question in connection with this matter which honourable members would like to ask ?
The Hon. C. P. CHATER-I believe the Hon. Director of Public Works said that the plans for the Court House were being prepared at home. Do I understand that they are not yet finished ?
The DIRECTOR of PUBLIC WORKS-They
The ATTORNEY GENERAL-The foundations
are being put in.
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-I considerare in the colony. that the present staff when strengthened by a civil engineer whom we are expecting shortly from home for Tytam will be sufficient to carry out the different works mentioned in the "Public Works Extraordinary," provided three
He said This is a short Ordinance, and if I refer you to the "objects and reasons" at the foot of the Bill you will find there all the ex- planation necessary. They are as follow:The amendments of the Law relating to opium effected by this Ordinance are made with the view of assisting the Chinese Government in the collection of revenue from the import of raw opium and of rendering smuggling more difficult. The second section requires the Superintendent of Imports and Exports to furnish the master of every vessel carrying
The CHAIRMAN-We now come to the con- opium for export with a memorandum contain-sideration of the Appropriation Bill, and in ing certain particulars as to such opium, and accordance with the precedent of former years it requires him to forward a duplicate of such I will take each item as it appears in the Bill, memorandum for the information of the proper and if any honourable member has any suggestion Commissioner of Chinese-Imperial Maritime or question in regard to any of the items I Customs. It also forbids the departure of shall be glad if he will mention it. any vessel carrying opium, without such me... morandum, subject to the provisions of section twelve of the principal Ordinance. The third section provides that, in cases within that seo- Hon twelve, that is where steamers are allowed to depart before application for a permit can be made, the Superintendent should telegraph to the Commissioner of Customs the requisite particulars, sending on the memorandum as soon as practicable. The fourth section vides a penalty for any infringement, by the master of a vessel, of the requirements of the second section. This system should keep the Customs Commissioners well informed of all opium exported from this colony to China." We do not wish this colony to have the reputation of being a colony where the smug gling of opium is fostered. It is our bounden
The Hon. R. M. GRAY I find that an item duty to do what we can to act in a straight
of $5,600 for a new lighthouse on Green Island forward manner and to prevent smuggling.
for D'Aguilar light is omitted from the esti- This Bill, is the outcome of a great deal of persons now on leave-Mr. Chatham, Mr. Crook, | mates. The question of the improvement of th thought and correspondence, and it does not and Mr. Drury-are here, and of course we present lights at the entrances to the harbour seem to me to impose any hardship upon any count upon having their services. In regard was submitted to the Chamber of Commerce body. It meets with the approval of the Com-to the Estimates I may say that the Public by the Government, and after it had been missioner of Customs, and I hope that it will Works Extraordinary seem formidable in com- discussed meet with the approval of the Council.
parison with those of former years, being nearly posaldially approved, and the vote the shipping people the pro The COLONIAL SECRETARY Seconded and double, but on looking into the items it will be seen was recommended by the Public Works Com- that the larger portion of the expenditure is on mittee. I submit that this needed improve- buildings. In regard to the new Law Courts, ment should not be shelved for another year. It plans and all details in connection with them are is a reproach to this Port, which boasts of having being prepared by architects in England, the work the largest shipping returns in the world, that has been started, the contract has been let, and its entrances should be marked one side by a 3rd all that remains for the Public Works Department or 4th order light, on the other a 6th order light, to do is to see that the work is carried out in both low down and not too distinct from shipping. accordance with the specifications. We have lights. The proposal to utilize the old D'Aguilar got an official specially sent out for that par- light of first order by placing it on the summit pose. In regard to the Governor's Peak resi- of Green Island is the first step towards a dence, another large item, the plans and details much needed improvement, and as such strongly were prepared by a firm of local architects.recommend that the vote for $5,600 for this pur- The same official who looks after the Law pose be placed in the estimates, and the work Courts can also look after the Governor's Peak commenced without delay. residence. The Volunteer Headquarters can also be taken on by the same officer. This is not too much to expect from a qualified architect. With regard to the Harbour Mas ter's Office and the Western Market, for those we have another new officer who is a qualified architect and quite capable of completing the plans and carrying out these works. Generally speaking the department is well provided as The Council then adjourned until Monday that is in regard to the Water Works. The regards staff, but there is one exception, and new officer will be quite sufficient to attend to Tytam, but in the management of the water works we are short. We require another over seer. We have lost a man who had been ten years in charge of the works. He went to Shanghai for more pay. Then the departure of Mr. Crook was a very serious matter. I do not in any wish to reflect on his successor, Mr. Hollings worth, but the breaking down of the pumping
the motion was carried.
The Bill was considered by the Council in committee. No alterations were made, and on the Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed.
THE PENSION FUND ORDINANCE.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Widows and Orphans' Pension Fund Ordinance, 1900. The "objects and reasons 11 Bay-Sections 2 and 3 of this Ordinance effect two amendments in the principal Ordin- ance which are deemed desirable by the Secretary of State, and this opportunity has been taken to correct a slight error in a re- ference in the schedule."
The OLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and
the motion was carried.
The Bill was considered by the Council in committee. No alterations were made, and on the Council resuming the Bill was read a third time and passed.
ADJOURNMENT.
MEETING OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
NSIDERATION OF THE ESTIMATES.
ating of the Finance Committee was then held, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
The CHAIRMAN This matter has not escaped the attention of the Government. As the honourable member has pointed out, the matter was referred to the Chamber of Commerce, who made certain recommendations. Among the recommendations was one that the lights in- stead of being fixed lights should be revolving or flashing lights, and the question has been referred home for the opinion of received. I have no doubt that when the Chancellors, whose reply we have. reply is received the matter will be brought up, and no doubt. His - Excel will bring forward a vote before the Cou
stimate mentioned by
disco
double that
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