opportunity of adding largely to the supply without loss of time, should it become advisable, and this is a strong point in the scheme What we have always suffered from in connection with the water question in the past is that there has been a total lack of foresight and provision for rapid growth. We are glad to see that Mr. CHADWICK does not hold with this policy being continued.
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AND THE FILIPINUS.
(Daily Press, 4th June.)
[ June 7, 1902.
The Colonial SECRETARY—The answer to
the first question is that this information has been requested from the Indian Government and will be furnished to the Council when
received.
THE HONGKONG. WEEKLY PRESS AND population of the Archipelago. There is no Filipino tationality, and it is difficult to see how there can be welded such a nationality from the elements at prescut existing. In any case, it is to be presumed that the United States will retain a port or two, and that a general protectorate will continue over the islands. Without this inform the Council whether the Government there is no guarantee that a state of absolute will take into consideration the desirability and chaos will not follow the grant of self-expediency of adequately providing for the government, so-called, to the Filipinos.
TELEGRAMS,
PEACE IN SOUTH AFRICA.
LONDON, 1st June.
The representatives of the Boer forces still in the field have accepted the terms of surrender offered by His Majesty's Govern-
ment.
[The above message was received by H.E. the Officer Administering the Government on Monday from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and & notification to that effect reached us from the Colonial Secretary's Office shortly after 4 o'clock on that day.-ED. D.P.]
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held on the 4th inst. in the Council Chamber. Present:-
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINIS- TERING THE GOVERNMENT, Major-General Sir W. GASCOIGNE, K.C.M.G. (Commanding the Troops).
Hon. F. H. MAY (Colonial Secretary). Hon. A. M. THOw8oN (Colonial Treasurer). Hon. A. G. WISE (Acting Attorney-General). Hon. Commander R. M. RUMSEY, R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. F. J. BADELEY (Captain Superinten- dent of Police).
Hon. C. S.. Sharp. Hon. C. W. DICKSON, Hon. Dr. HO KAI. Hon. WEI A YUK.
It is scarcely to be wondered at that the speech delivered by President ROOSEVELT last week, as reported by REUTER's corres- pondent, has created a sensation in the United States; and we venture to prophesy that the sensation will extend further than the bounds of the States. The United States President, we are fold, hinted at the ultimate independence of the Philippines when capable of self-government. It is true that, when the United States first un- dertook the war against Spain on account of the latter country's misgovernment of Cuba, there seemed to be no adequate reason. why a crusade in favour of Cuban indepen- dence should involve the States in a care r of Colonial conquest in Pacific waters, Nor, when the battle of Manila Bay bad been, fought and the Filipinos bad welcomed the American navy and army as deliverers, did it seem probable that within a few months the liberated tribes would be fight- ing against their liberators. Yet, owing to the peculiar circumstances of, the Philippine Arcipelago, the United States glided by a process not difficult to under- stand from a position of friends to one of foes. Recognising that the American in- vaders as in fact they became were practically forced by the course of events to take the course which they adopted, we have always in these columns hoped that the American administration of the Archipelago would turn out to be a success, both for that administration and for the Filipinos themselves. In so doing we have imagined that the United States had taken per- mauent possession of the islands which once formed so important a possession of Spain. President ROOSEVELT's latest speech opens up new possibilities. We say this without ignoring the strength of the anti-Imperialistic party in the States. This it has been impossible to forget, for its adherents have spared no endeavours to make their views heard. The only question has been whether their ardent propagandism and the dissatisfaction of the United States public in general would be sufficient to bring out a majority in the States which would prefer to
see the Philippines abandoned as an American outpeat in the Pacific and handed over to autonomic condition. President Roose- VELA 18, as is well known, a man of independent views, and no truckler; yet we can only conclude from his latest utterances that he is convinced that the policy of granting self-government to the Filipinos will in the end commend itself to the
Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inhabitants of the United States. It is
endeavour to obtain from the Indian Govern- well to remember that the declaration of ment a statement or return showing (1), the Prendent of the States does not neces-conditions on which house properties, sanitary Still this speech, and insanitary, and land have recently been accepted as it has been, as significant, can resumed in Bombay and elsewhere in India; (2) hardly be treated 13 on
the basis or which the values of house property MANGABONAMENT and sphemeral pro and land were arrived it; and (3) the basis on Houncement. On this account we must
lioni mlango wa | which the compensation paid for resumed Fréheledene present United States government of Philippines
an
Baril
readys to
be
2.-HOUSE ACCOMMODAŢION—BUBORDINATE
OFFICIALS.
Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary
decent housing of the subordinate officials and employees of the Public Works, Harbour, and Sanitary Departments, and report to the Connoil?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-The answer to question No. 2 is that this matter is still under consideration.
3.-MAP OF ROADS AND STREETS, In anticipation of Government being asked to expose for sale Crown land in Hongkong and in British Kowloon or to grant leases of land in the New Territory, and with a view to safeguarding against a repetition of the state of affairs in respect of roads, lanes, and buildings as that which now exists in Hongkong and Kowloon, will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council whether a clearly and well defined map, showing roads and streets of adequate width, has been or will be prepared; (2) whether such map will in due course be submitted to this Council; (3) when approved whether the game will be recorded officially and shall not be departed from with- out the sanction of the Council; and (4) whether a copy of such map will be deposited in the office of the Sanitary Board for the information and guidance of the Board's officers?
Hon. W. CHATHAM-This Government re cognises the value of the suggestion contained in the question, but in view of possible difficulties can only promise at present that the matter will receive fall and early. consideration. The result will be communicated to the Council in due course.
STREAMS, NULLAHS, AND WATER-COURBES.
Will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council whether the Govern- ment will lay down a rule or regulation to come into force on an early date to be notified, to the effect that all streams, nullahs, and w..ter-courses in Hongkong and in British Kowloon, the prope ty of the Crown, shall be retained as Crown properly, together with a margin of 50 feet on either side
Mr. R. F. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of from the centre line of the stream or nullah Councils),
NEW MEMBER,
Mr. C. W. Dickson took the formal oath as an Unofficial Menber of the Council and assumed his seat.
FINANCIAL.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table
Financial Minutes (Nos. 18 to 22) and moved that they be remitted to the Finance Committee, The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The CLONIAL SECRETARY submitted the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 5) and moved its adoption.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
QUESTIONS.
Bis EXCELLENCY-Will any gentlemen now take the opportunity of asking the questions that stand in Mr Whitehead's name?
Mr. C. S. SHARP-The hon. representative of the Chamber of Commerce has asked me, with your Excellency's permission, to put the questions standing in his name,
1. PROPERTY RESUMPTION AND
COMPENSATION.
now Crown property, and that the said margin of 50 feet sha:1 not be granted or devised without the sanction of this Council, and that the same regulation where practicable shall apply in respect of streams, nullahs and water- courses in the New Territory leased by the Government of China to the British Govern- ment?
Hon W. CHATHAM-This Government recognises the importance of reserving all stream- courses and nullahs, wherever practicable. In the case however, of some, it is impracticable and it is therefore undesirable to lay down any such rule as that propos d.
5.--WATER-SUPPLY.
In consequence of the daily diminishing supply and of the fact that the water is now only turned on in the City one hour per day, will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council whether the Govern- ment will take into consideration the advisability of immediately increasing the number of water stations along the Praya so as to give an increased supply of water and in some measure alleviate the inconveniences and sufferings of those concerned?
Hon. W. CHATHAṀ—In reply to No. 5, I may say it was applicable at the time the ques- tion was put, but both question and answer are now somewhat belated. The answer is that, thế Government are taking every step to render the distribution of water easy throughout the City.
6.—ISCREASED WATER-STORAGI Wilthe Honourable the Director of Public Work inform the Council whether the Govern- ment has taken the meccairy mature to tem porarily provide, if it be posible to do so in the properties and land has been arrived at; and time now available, for hməndequntosg in duis course communicate the information to ditional water-storage capacity shomi this I not now in a position to furnish the required | ratendgers and the people from a and that in the heterogeneous particulars?
suffering the inconveniences and evils
Oral - ventuality
|
Amanda.. the Council if the Honourable Member? is | short rainfall this s
of the
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