The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1901-09-28 — Page 6

Hongkong Weekly Press AND China Overland Trade Report All

September 28, 19 1.]

CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.

The motion was then put to the Council and ing localities:-Tsin Wan-approximate area, 1 carried.

square miles; Ni Ku Chan and Ping Chau-3 square miles; Deep Bay-+ square miles; Rocky Harbour, Port Shelter, and Hebe Haven- 7 square miles; Ping Chau (in Mirs Bay), Knob Reef, Flat Reof (both in Tolo Channel), and Centre Island (in Tolo Harbour) approx. area not viren. The approximate number of boats is 304 and of junks 9, making a total of 304.

-3-COCHRANE STREET COLLAPSE~DEPO31.regard to clause

TIONS AT FIRST ENQUIRY.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-Will the Honourable the Attorney-General lay upon the table a copy of the depositions taken by the Magistrate at the enquiry, held at the Magistracy on 30th August last under Ordinance No. 7 of 18S9, into the death of forty-three persons consequent upon the, collapse or tumbling down of houses Nos. 32 and 31, Cochrane Street, on the night of 14th idem, together with a copy of the Magistrate's decision or finding thereon.

The depositions, iu printed form. were laid on the table.

FURTHER ADDITIONAL BYE-LAWS. Mr. CHATHAM moved the adoption of the ad. ditional bye-laws for the disinfection of infected premises made by the Sanitary Board under Sec- tion 13 of the Public Health Ordinance, No. 13 of 1901. He said--No. 8 of these bye-laws isimato repealed and a new clause substituted, with a trifling variation in the wording, which, how. ever, will have no serious effect on the clause. It was considered advisable by the Crown Solicitor, in going into the matter, to make some slight modification in one place where it states. If the premises so visited or any part thereof shall be found in a dirty or insanitary condition, in the opinion of any such officer, he will report the same to the Medical Officer of Health or to any such other officer as may be appointed for that purposo by the Board with the approval of the Governor, who shall in- spect such premises, and if he considers them or uny part thereof to be in a dirty or insanitary con-lition he may forthwith take steps to have the said premises thoroughly cleansed and disin- fected by persons.acting under bis instructions, and may, if he thinks fit, have all furniture and goods removed therefrom during such cleansing And disinfection." The words "if he thinks fit" have been added to the clanse. Bye-law No. 9 is a new bye-law, and its object is to prevent the removal of infected articles. from one dis- trict undergoing disinfection to another district. It confers upon officers of the Sanitary Board power to prevent that being done, thus avoiding the possibility of the spread of infection while the process of disinfection is going on.

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded the motion, which was carried.

QUESTIONS.

263

He said I think, sir, the reasons of 1899). for the various amendments to this Ordinance will be found in the objects and reasons attached to the Bill. As hon. members will see from these objects and reasons, when the Council gos into committee on this Bill I intend to more two aniendments, with reference to which a memorandum was circulated to hon. members together with the orders of the day. Of these two amendments, one is with 2 of the. Bill and the other with regard to section 8. I beg to move the second reading of this Bill, and I shall be very pleased to answer any questions in committee to the best of my ability. Perhaps I might mention with regard to this memorandum, dealing with the amendment to clause 2, that the clause I propose to insert is founded upon the same legislation now in force in the Straits Settlements, and the clause which it is pro- posed to add to the end of section § is taken almost verbatim from the section in the Straits Ordinance.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.

The Council then went into committee on the Bill, when the amendments proposed by the ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL were agreed to.

Ou the Council resuming, the third reading was not moved, in order to afford the Chamber of Commerce an opportunity of considering the measure before it finally becomes law.

MANUFACTURE OF GUNPOWDER AND FIREWORKS.

PUBLIC SERVICE OF YEAR 1962. The COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Urdinance to apply a Sum not exceeding Three million seven hundred and forty thousand four hundred and one dollar and sixty-one cents to the Public Service of the year 1902. He said-In con- nection with this Ordinance. I beg to lay upon the table the papers which usually accompany such measures when they come before the I would suggest

The ACTING ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved Conncil for consideration. that hon, members be afforded time to consider the second reading of the Bill entitled An this Bill. so that when it comes up again they Ordinance to amend the law relating to the may be in a position to deal with the matter it manufacture of gunpowder and of fireworks, contains in a thorough and satisfactory manner. and to regulate the sale and conveyance of The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER second-gunpowder. He said-As hon. members will see from the statement of objects and reasons, most of the provisions of this Bill are adapted from those of the English Explosives Act, 1876. I think, sir. this Bill provides a very necessary amendment in the law of this Colony, because the present Gunpowder Bill has been A Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend Anin force since 1848, and is a very primitive Ordinance entitled The Weights and Measures Ordinance indeed, although in the early years of Ordinance, 1885 (No. 8 of of 1885),

this Colony it was amply sufficient. I have gone very carefully into this matter, and I have also had the opinion of the Captain Superinten- dent of Police, the Hon. F. H: May, upon the various points involved. I have also taken the opinion of the Government Analyst upon one or two points. I think, sir, this Bill will effect a great remedy in the law, and I beg to more that it be read a second time.

Notice had previously been given of the cd, and the bill was read a first time. following questions :-

1-COLLAPSED BUILDINGS IN TH 3 COLONY.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-Will the Honourable the| Director of Public Works lay upon the Council table a statement showing :-

(1.) The number of buildings in the Colony which have fallen down, from 1st January, 1895, to 16th instant (August); (2) The names of the owners of the said buildings;.

(3.) The number of deaths caused thereby

(4.) The number of Coroner's enquiries held in connection with such deaths;

(5.) The number of prosecutions, if any, instituted as the result of the said enquiries; and

(6.) The causes, so far as ascertained, which have contributed to the tumbling down in each case, and, if the collapse of any or all of the buildings in question have resulted from defective construc- tion, will the honourable member inform the Council:

(1.) What precautions, if any, have been taken to prevent the erection of such buildings in the future? and

(2) What precautions, if any, have been taken to prevent a recurrence of a like calamity attended with such heavy loss of life as that which occurred in Cochrane Street on 14th instant in connection with buildings already in existence?

Mr. CHATHAM-I beg to lay upon_the_table a report which contains answers to Nos. I and inclusive of the hon. member's question. With regard to No. 2, which forms the second portion of the question, the matters therein referred to are under the consideration of the Government.

2.-CORAL AND SHELL FISHERMEN.

Mr. WHITEHEAD-Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council of the approximate number of fishermen em- ployed in taking coral and shell from the seaadjoining the New Territory, and the names of the places where and about the extent of ground over which such fishing is carried on ?

Colonial SECRETARY-In reply to question No. 2, I beg to lay on the table a report prepared by the Honourable the Captain Superintendent of Police, which I trust the hon. member will find contains the information he asks for.

The return showed that the total number of men employed is 1952, distributed over the follow-

The-Hong-Kong-Weekly-Press-1901-09-28 — Page 6

Comments

Private Research Note