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July 14, 1902.]
pointed out that the large reservoir will doubtless take two years to construct. The steps taken, in accordance with Mr. Chadwick's recommeuda- tions, ormprize the despatch of a requisition in May last for one of the large pumping engines to be laid down at Tytam Tuk and the under. taking of the surveys, borings. and sinking of trial pits required to enable a scheme to be prepared for the construction of a large
reservoir.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND BULDINGS BILL. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Public Health and to Buildings.
The DIRECTOR OF IUELIC WORKS seconded the motion.
Hon. C. S. SHARP Sir. I do not know whether I am in order or not in making any remaks at the present moment, but I have a suggestion to make to the Government about this Bill. Admittedly, the introduction of this Bill is giving great concern and anxiety to property-holders in Hongkong and also to tuor gagees. The provisions of the Bill seem to require very careful cousideration, and I would suggest to the Government that if possible they should give the public some idea of their views as to the time that is to be allowed to elapso before the second reading comes on. in order to allow the provisons of the Bill to he fully considered.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-Sir, in answer to the remarks of the hon. member who has fast sat down, I would say that it is the inten- tion of the Government to take the second reading of this Biil on this day month. I would point out, sir, that the Bill, while it is a long Bill, contains really not a great deal of new matter, although that matter is important It will be found that in the part relating to public health, there are only 11 sections con- taining changes of any importance, and only one of these sections, No. 4, is likely to be at all contentious in its nature. In the part rolat- ng to buildings, there are only 33 sections containing importent clangee. Of these, 16 were contained in the Buildings Bill which was read a first time on 11th March last and was made the subject of criticism by some of the local architects; and in these 16 sections a number of the suggestions by local architects have been embodied. There remain, therefore, only 17 sections which are new. Of these, 8 relate to ventilation, cementing of sk rting of floors of buildings, rise of staircases, provision of latrines and fireplaces. I hese 8 sections cannot be called of a contentions nature. Those remain ! sec- tions which are likely to be contentious One relates to the space 1 ft between a house and the hill near which it is built, 2 to cubicles, 4 relate to the provision of open spaces around buildings, 1 relates to the height of buildings, and 1 limits the depth of living 100ms in certain buildings. So that this long Bill of 276 sections really can be boiled down to 10 very important sections. Hon. members and the public generally have had this Bill in their bands for now nearly, one month and the Goernment think therefore that if another month is given it will be ample time for anybody to make up his mind whether he will support or whether he will or pose these 10 really important sectious. I would also point out, sir, that what the Government desire is not to rush the Bill through but to arrive as quickly es posible at that stage when the Bill can be thoroughly di-cusso | and threshed out. That stage, sir, is the Com- mittee stage, and I trust that hou. members will be satisfied with the statement I have made and will be content to read this Bill a second time on this day month.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT,
NEW TERRITORIES LAND COURT.
27
a room at Cragieburn !' ($630) and of tram tickets ($75), for the use of the Nursing Sisters of the Government Civil Hospital.
The CHAIRMAN-This privilege has been accorded to the nurses of the Government Civil Hospital for the last two years and it is proposed to accord them the same privilega ~ this year for the months of July, August, and September.
The vote was agreed to.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to further amend the New Territories Land Court Ordinance, 1900 (No 18 of 1900). He said This Bill, as the title implies, is to amend the existing Ordinance in certain respects. Section 2 allows a claimant to have a right of appeal in cases where his claim has been split up into various sections, each under the requisite amount although the original claim may have been for
GRANT TO INTERPRETER. that amount. Section 3 proposes to amend The Officer Administering the Government Section 19 of the Ordinanco now in force by recommended the Council to vote a sum of 390, extending to persons liable to pay a perpetual being grant of a teacher's allowance to Mr. N. rent charge in money the opportunity G. Nolan, Interpreter to the Magistracy, for of redemption allowed to persons liable studying the Fukien dialect, for 9 months at to a similar rent charge in grain by the rate of $10 per mensem. section 19. Section 4 provides for authenticat- The CHAIRMAN-Mr Nolan has signified ed maps and plaus being received as prima facie | his intention of studying this new dialect, and evidence; this clause having been taken from in accordance with the regulations this allow- the Straits Settlements Ordinauce, No. 3 of ance has been granted to him. If he does not 188. The Bll is a short one and very simple pass he will have to refund the allowance. and its scope' is very clear. The principle no The vote was carried. doubt hon. members will admit. It is a night thing to allow an appeal in such сабев 48 the amendment provides, and also with regard to the extension of the opportunity of redemption to persons liable to pay perpetual rent in money. I think the principle of the Bill is without objection.
PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY, The Officer Administering the Government recommended the Council to vote a sum of $22.500 to meet the cost to be incurred for the carrying out of the undermentioned works during the current year --
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and|(1.) the motion was agreed to.
The Council then went into Committee on the Bill and considered it clause by clause. On resuming, the Bill was read a third time and passed, on the motion of the ATTORNEY- GENERAL, seconded by the
COLONIAL SECRETARY.
DANGEROUS GOODS.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of a Bill entitled an Ordinance to further amend the Law relating to Dangerous Goods. He said-The objects and reasons of the Bill are to include aqua fortis and vitriol as well as phosphorus within the provisions of the Ordinance.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.
The Council then went into Committee on the Bill and considered it clause by clause.
On resuming, the Bill was read a third time and passed, on the m tion of the ATTORNEY- GENERAL, Reconded by the COLONIAL SECRETARY.
THE CHARGES OF THE YEAR 1901, The COLONIAL TREASURER-Sir, in moving the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to authorise the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sam of five hundred and fifteen thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars and seven cents, to defray the charges of the year 1901, I may mention that it is the usual custom to refer the Bill to the Finance! Committee for the whole matter to be fully discussed and threshed out. I therefore beg to move that the Bill be referred to the Finance Committee.
The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was carried.
THE PAWA BROKERS' ORDINANCE. The COLONIAL SECRETALY moved that the
(2.)
Public Works Extraordinary. City Waterworks Extension," Tytam Tak Scheme.... Prelimi ary and Temporary
Works,
City Waterworks
of Public Fountains,
Provision
$20,000.00
A 2,500,00
Total, $22,500.00
The HAIRMAN-The first item is to cover the cost this year of the preliminary works re- commended by Mr. Chadwick; the second item is to provide for the distribution of water in the streets, also in accordance with that gentle- man's recommendations.
Hon. R. SHEWAN-Is that all that is to be done this year?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS-That will be all, sir.
Hou. G. W. F. PLAYFAIR-Does it include the temporary reservoir which Mr. Chadwick recommended ?
The DIRECTor of PublIC WORK-There will be something done towards that during the present year, I hope, bat it will be a compara- tively small work. It is merely a temporary expedient to enable water to be passed to the pumping engines when these are erected. The pumping engines will probably not be erected till eighteen months or go from now.
The Hon. R. SHEWAN was proceeding to interrogate the Director of Public Works as to whether anything had been done to extend the waterworks, when
The CHAIRMAN said-In these matters a considerable amount of prelim'nary work has to be done-surveys taken from sea level to 250 feet above Ordnance datum; we cannot start without proper data to go upon, and t at takes aconsiderable time.
Hon. R. SHEWAN-Would it not be pos
Council go into Committes o 1 the Bill entitle sible by increasing the staff and spendin z
more money to do more work?
An Ordinance to further amend the Pawn- The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS -Steps brokers' Ordinance (No. 3 of 1860).
have been taken, sir, to increase the supply of The ATTORNEY-GENERAL Secondod, and the water- A catchwater has been constracted motion was carried.
In Committee,
Hon. R. SHEWAN said May I enquire why blankes and shoes should be exc pted from the limitations of the Bill?
The COLONIAL TREASURER - Old custom. On the Couacil resuming, there having been The motion was agreed to unanimou-ly and only one small amendment in Committe, the the Bill read a first time.
Bill was read a third time and passed, ou the motion of the COLONIAL SECRETARY, seconded by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
NATURALISATION ORDINANCES.
The following Bills were submitted by the ATTORNEY-GENERAL. and read a first time, and, after suspension of the Standing Orders, a second and third time, and passed: - A Bill entitled An, Ordinance for the Naturalisation of Choy Chung Ni, alias Choy Chang, alias Choy Mun Ku, alias Choy Kwong Yung; & Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalisation of Choy Ye, alias Choy Man Loi, alias Choy Siu Kwai; a Bill entitled An Ordinance for the Naturalisation of Choy Kwai Ng, alias Choy Shing, alias Choy Man Chow, alias Choy Kwong Tak.
The Council thereafter adjourned until Thurs day, the 4th proximo.
FINANCE COMMITTEE.
A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the Council, the Colonial Secretary (Hoo. F. 11. May, C.M.G.) presiding.
NURSES' EXPENSES.
¡
The Officer Administering the Government recommended the Council to vote a sum of $705 to cover the cost of 3 months' rent for
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along the south side of Mount Cameron, which will form a very consid rable auxiliary to the water supply, a also will the by- wash reservoir under construction at Tytam. Therefore I hope that with ordinary good fortune in the matter of rainfall we will not again suffer the experiences accompanying the severe droughts of recent years.
Hon. G. W. F. PLAYFAIR-It is very sa isfactory to hear that statement.
Hoa. R. SHEWAN-Would it not be possible to do more by spending more money?
The DIRECtor of PUBLIC WORKS-The question is to provide for a supply by pumping. To do that we must have pumping engines and these pumping engines and the necessary mains cannot possibly be available until next dry sea son, so that it would be useless to attempt to provide anything extensive in the way "of reservoir if we have not the means of pumping up the water. Then as to the gravitation supply-an ordinary work of that nature re- quires a period of 18 months or two years to
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