186
granting of the lease is usually held over till the conditions have been fulfilled. This is why it has been deemed necessary to insert the words "and all agreements for the granting of such leases." These also should be validated.
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THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
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their objections before the Council by petition within one month from the date of the issue of such notice.“
His FXCELLENCY-I think the Hon. Member will find that his resolution is not in order, as it does not come under Rule 52.
Mr. WHITEHEAD-Then, sir, with your pormission I will move that the second reading of the Bill be postponed. In connection with this matter I might be permitted to read another letter I addressed to the learned. Acting Attorney-General on the 22nd of this month.
The letter has already been published in our issue of lust week.
Dr HO KAI seconded the amendment, which was lost, only three voting for it--Mr. White. hend, Dr. Ho Kai, and Mr. Wei A Yuk.
These three members voted against the motion for the second reading of the Bill, which was carried by a majority.
This amendment also was lost.
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The third reading of the Bill was not moved · on the Council rosuming, because of the ameud- ments that had been made.
TRAMWAYS ORDINANCE,
The Hon. C. P. CHATER moved the second reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to amend the scope of the Tramways Ordinance, 1883 (No. 6 of 1883,, and the Tramways Ordin
(August 8), 1901.
manding the Troops has any speciflo amend- ment to make regarding the point.
COL BROWNE--I beg to move, sir, that it be provided that in no such case shall the amount charged exceed the ordinary tram fares.
The amendment was agreed to. The Bill was thereafter considered in its various sections, and agreed to as amended.
The Council then resumed.
BUPPLEMENTARY VOTE.
The ACTING Colonial TREASURER moved the third reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to authorise the appropriation of a supplementary sum of five hundred and fifty. nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one dollars and soventy-eight cents, to defray the charges of the year 1900,
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time.
7
The Council then adjourned sine die.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Coungji, the Colonial Secretary presiding.
ABSTRACT.
$3,585.00
1,393.00
6,092.00
Total,
$11,967.00 The CHAIRMAN-This is a question with which hou, members are undoubtedly acquainted, and requires no explanation from me.
Mr. POLLOCK sfid-I may mention that I have received various suggestions with reference to this Bill, some from the Hon. Senior Un- official Member and some from the Hon. Member representing the Chamber of Com- merce. The Senior Unofficial Member raised; two points under clause 3 of the Bill. The first was as to the granting of land otherwise than by auction. I think, sir, it is unnecessary to make any amendment in the clause of the Bill upon that point, because at the pre- sent time no power exists to grant land ex- cept by auction. With regard to another point raised by the Hon. Senior Unofficial Member, one in the last line but one of the thind paragraph of clause 3 of the Bill, hon. The Council then went into committee on members will see that the provisions of that the Bill, and the amendments proposed by the particular part of the clause read as follows:- Act ng Attorney-Genera' were agreed to."
Provided also that this section shall not be Mr. WHITEHEAD-I move that the following deemed to authorise the grant of any Crown lease words be added after the word Council," the which would derogate from or be inconsistent last word in paragraph of clause
3-
1 here were nine minutes down for considera · with the special rights of sea access (if any) of And his decision thereon shall be notified in tion. In the first the Governor recommended any holder of a Marine Lot, holding under a writing to the objectors; and if within one the Council to vote a inm of $11,967 to meet Crown lease, without the consent of such month from the date of such notice no the cost of the erection of certain matsheds, &c., holder." To meet the views of the Hon. application has been made to the Supremus to be used as public baths. Senior Unofficial Member, I propose to sub-Court in its Summary Jurisdiction for leave | stitute the words "any Lot" for the words to appeal from such decision, such decision Matshods, including tube, &o, &c.,
Marine Lot." With regard to the objec. shall be final and binding."
Firewood, wages of attendants, &c., tion raised by the Hon. Member repre-
up to 31st May, senting the Chamber of Commerce.
Eubsequent expenditure up to 31st proposal was made by him in a letter which I
August, namely, 92 days, at 876 received from him this morning that under
per day, Rule 52 of the Standing Orders he would move the postponement of the second reading until a translation of the Bill in the Chinese language shall have been published by proclamation in all the towns and villages of the New Territory, together with a notice calling upon all persons whose rights or interests of property may be affected thereby. With reference to that point. aud apart from the question of necessity, with which I shall deal present y, at the same time, with all due respect to the Hon. Member, that is not a motion which properly comes under Rule 52 of the Standing Rules and Orders. With regard to the necessity for such procedure, I would draw attention to the second paragraph of the third clause of this Bill, where provision is made for due notice being given in the Gazette to parties in terested. It has been pointed ont, however, that as regards that notice it would be well that a proclamation should be made in the Chinese language, and posted up near the site of the property affected, because the Gorerument Gazette has a limited circulation only. I pro- pose on that point to move an amendment, when the Council goes into committeo on the Bill, that after the words three months in the second paragraph of clause 3 of the Bill, the following words be inserted-" And also shall be published by proclamation in the Chinese language which proclamation shall be publicly posted in some suitable place near the site of the said property." With regard to another point raised by the Hon. Member, who suggested that there might be an amendment at the end of clause three of the Bilt to empower par- ties to appeal to the Supreme Court, I am of opinion that any objection will be carefully considered and any equitable claim for compen- sation fully gone into by His Excellency the Governor in Council. Resort to law will only lead to delay. I beg, sir, to move the second reading of this Bill.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded. Mr. WHITEHEAD-Sir, the private rights and interests of a large number of Chinese in the Colouy are affected by this Bill, and I submit that the Ordinance should not be pro- ceeded with until those Chinese whose interests are thus affected have been given an oppor- tunity of being heard. To proceed with this Bill before that has been done would, I think, be unreasonable and unjust, and I beg to move- That under Rule 52 of the Standing Rules and Orders, the second reading of this Bill be postponed until a translation of the Bill in the Uhinese language shall have been published by Proclamation in all towns and villages within the New Territory, together with a notice calling upon all persons whose rights or inter- ests of property may be affected by it to bring
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ance Amendment Ordinance, 1883 (Ño. 18 of 1883). He said-I think I could not do better than place before your Excellency and the hon members of this Council the reasons of this Bill, which are as follows: The surviving pro ters under Ordinance 6 of 1883 having parted for valuable consideration, with their rights, if any, under that Ordinauce so far as Tramways 1 to 5 are concerned, and a Company being now desirous of starting a Tramway in this Colony which would conflict with the lines of route of the said Tramways Nos. 1 to 5. it seems desirable, in order to clear the grounds for the operations of sich company, that the provisions,
of Ordinanca 65 of 1883, so far as they relate to the said Tramways Nos. 1 to 5, should be repealed, and this Bill so enacts accordingly.
Mr. BELL-IRVING seconded, and the motion was carri d.
The Council thereafter went into committe on the Bill, which was agreed to.
The third reading was not moved.
1
STAMPS AND STAMP DUTY.
Mr. POLLOCK-May I ask how many mat- sheds?
1 Mr. CHATHAM-I am sorry I have forgotten the exact number just now, but there is a con- siderable namber in existence.
The CHARMAN-If the Hon. Attorney- General wan's these figures he can be supplied with them, I suppose ?
Mr. CHATHAM—Oh, certainly. The vote was agreed to.
mended the Council to rote a sum of 86,000 in In the next minute the Governor recom-
aid of the vote Repairs to Government House Furniture and Incidental Expenses.”
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The CHAIRMAN-I think this voto explains itself.
The vote was agreed to.
In the next minute the Governor recom. mended the Council to vote a sum of $21,000 in aid of the following votes :—
PUBLIC WORKS, ANNUALLY RECURRENT EXPENDITURE.
1. Maintenance of Telegraphs
$3,000
2. Maintenance of Praya Wall and Piors 2,000 3. Maintenance of Waterworks, Kowloon 6,000
Maintenance of Macadamised Roads
in Victoria
t.
dinane to amend and consolidate the laws In Committee on the Bill fitled an Or-
Colony of Hongkong, the ACTING ATTORNEY 5. relating to stamps and stamp duty in the GENERAL said the alterations made by the Standing Law Committee on the Bill were very 6. Water Account
few. The amendments, which numbered three,
were agreed to.
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A TRAMWAY.
The Hon. C. P. CHATER moved that the Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled an Ordinance for authorising the construction of a tramway within the Colony of Hongkong.
Mr. BELL-IRVING seconded.
The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL read the report of the Standing Law Committee on the Bill. There were altogether fifteen amendments for the consideration of the Council.
COL. BROWNE-I should like to ask the Attorney-General whether clauso 19 covers the case of the Tramway Company laying returu wires. We referred the matter to the War Office, and after consultation with experts they came to the conclusion that return wires will have to be laid by the company.
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A
Maintenance of Concreted Roals in
Victoria...
Total
5,000
2,000
3,000
$21,000
The CHAIRMAN-Hon. members will be glad to see that provision is boing made for the roads in Victoria. I am sure we all agree it is necessary that great attention should be paid to our roads, and to have them as satisfactory as possible. We all desire to see the roads in this Colony a credit to the Colony and to thos· who are in any way responsible for them.
The vote was agreed to.
In the next minute the Governor recom- mended the Council to vote a sum of 82,750 in aid of the following votes in the Post Office: Incidental Expenses at the Agencies, $1,500.00 Commission on Money Orders, $1,250.00
Total, 82,750.00
The vote was agreed to. Mr. POLLOCK—That is a matter, I think, that In the next minute the Governor recon.. will have to be considered later, with other things.mended the Council to vote a sum of $12,000 With reference to another point, it seems to meet the cost to be incurred on account of to me there should be no special high rate charged the erection of two temporary markets, one if unfortunately the services of the tramway opposite the Sailors' Home and one adjoining should be required for defensive purposes. the new Harbour Office, during the current do not know whether the General Officer Com. ' year.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.