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April 23, 1904.J
HONGKONG LEGISLATIV &
COUNCIL
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
examination
the
on
313
10th instant they sighted seven Russia cavalry-provide for the exercising of control over per- men on board a Chinese fishing-boat, acting in
is detrimental, conjunction with some cavalry scouts on shore. Colony. There is at present, I understand, a
sons who practise as pilots in the waters of the country, as this one is. This crowding in goes but especially so in a tropical They exchanged fire, and though the Russians were reinforced by over a dozen men. they ply for hire as pilots are
so-called pilot service, but the mon
every day, and will continue to go who on.
The rast majority of the people retreated, chased by the Japanese.
not licensed or who come The qualified in the
here-of Chinese sense
people, engagement lasted
of having passed have hour and twenty under all
never lived on minutes.
the upper levels or had One Russian
killed was
and
the approval therefore the Government in casting about for two
of any person competent to say whether the wounded. The Japanese had
an area that is sintable for a reservation have loss. A
man offering his services as a pilot knows am military official and nine dis- thing of what he undertakesto do. In one sense
determined on a locality which has never hitherto guised Russians attempted a landing on the it may be said that a place like this does not by this Bill to
been ccupied by Chinese. We propose 10th inst. nearly a mile southwest of Yongamplio. require pilots;
reserve an area within the Some Japanese cavalry co-operating with the and there is no need to have pilots to bring the speculative builder, because as the pressure
navigation is оред.
Peak District which shall be free from- navy tried rainly to capture them. Simul- ships into Hongkong taneously twenty or thirty Russians were sighted But apparently the Harbour is so extremely that houses that have not so far existed there- or take them out. goes on from year to year it may come to pass on the delta of the Yalu and taken disguised. crowded and the The enemy made other unsuccessful attempts to berths so considerable, that the Government has
difficulties of finding may in future find their way to the Peak. It may cross the river between Yongamphe and Wiju. | been approached by the shipping community and
be that the speculator instead of going On the morning of the 12th inst., thirty or asked to provide some safeguard that persona
over to Kowloon side would go up to the forty Russian infantry tried to cross the river who offer themselves for pilots within the
Peak, and conditions would be created to the west of Wiju. A section of Japanese waters of the Colony shall know what to do.
that would and introduce the conditions that infantry encountered the enemy, who retired That application was considered, with the re-
are so undesirable, and which now exist below. leaving one officer and 21 men dead. The sult that this Bill has been brought in. There position that it is desirable, if possible, that an Therefore. I say that those who support the pro- Japanese had no losses. The enemy belonged is no compulsion for anyone to take a pilot, ares such as to the 12th regiment of Rifles.
have referred to should be reserved nor will taking a pilot exempt the ship that will, no doubt, say that the best place to choose is takes him from any consequences that may
the place we have chosen; occur from collision or otherwise. Government
that is, the Peak District. The Government has therefore accepts absolutely no responsibility in the decided to ask the Council to pass this Bill. matter. People are free to take a pilot or not It will be observed that clause 5 enables the as they please. What the Government wants Governor in Council to exampt any Chinese to do is to see that no one shall offer his from the operation of the ordinance. I move services as considered to be capable of performing the a pilot who is not reasonably
that this Bill be now read a second time. duties of a pilot, I think, that the measure which is a new one, will be found useful in its
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY second-class legislation, and especially against the
Chines and, as duty to oppose it in as strong a manner as
such, it should
be my possible; but, at the same time, Sir. I have had the reasons carefully explained to me for the necessity of such a Bill: these reasons very carefully and I must say, have considered
personally. am quite convinced of the reasonableness and expediency of such a measure. The reason put forward was the The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second limited space for the accommodation of Euro reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance for the peans at the Peak, and it was also necessary for Reservation of a Residential Area in the Hill the health reasons to live at a height of some District. He said :-Sir, the necessity for this hundreds of feet from the level of the sea, not measure and the expediency of passing such a only for their own health, but that of their measure is. I think, very clearly if succinctly families and children, especially the children, stated in the objects and reasons appended Having considered that carefully, I for to the Ordinance itself, It will be found myself certainly think a concession from the that The reservation of this Chinese would not only be graceful but justifi- district is desirable in order that a healthy placeable, and I as a member of the Chinese com- of residence may be preserved for all those who munity, and I believe my colleague also, agreed are accustomed to a temperate climate aud to whom life in the tropics presents the disadvant-glad to consent to a measure by which we know to offer no opposition to this Bill, but will be age of an unnatural environment." Of course, it is known toeveryone that all persons of European birth and extraction are liable to suffer and do
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A meeting of the Legislative Council was held onthe 19th inst. in the Council Chamber. Present:-
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER AD- MINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT. F. H. MAY、 | application. C.M.G.
HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL VIL-ed, and the motion was agreed to. LIERS HATTON, C.B. (Commanding the Troops). Hon. A. M. THOMSON (Acting Colonial Secretary).
Hon. Sir H. S. BERKELEY (Attorney- General
Hon. L. A. M. JOHNSTON (Acting Colonial Treasurer).
Hon. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. Captain L. A. W. BARNES-LAWRENCE R.N. (Harbour Master).
Hon. P. N. H. JONES (Acting Director of Public Works).
Hon. Sir C.. P. CHATER, C.M.G.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI. C.M.G.
Hon. WEI A YUK.
Hon. H. E. POLLOCK, K. C.
The Council then went into committee on the Bill and considered it clause by clause, only a few minor amendments being made.
On the Council resuming, the Bill was read a third time and passed on the motion of the | ATTORNEY-GENERAL, seconded by the ACTING
COLONIAL Secretary.
Mr. RF. JOHNSTON (Acting Clerk of stated there Councils).
NEW MEMBER.
Hon. P. N. H. Jones. Acting Director of Public Works, took the oath and assumed his seat as a member of Council.
FINANCIAL.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on
the table Financial Minutes (Nos. 21 to 23) and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER ed, and the motion was agreed to.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee (No. 4), and moved its adoption.
The ACTING COLONIAL TREASURER second- ed, and the motion was agreed to.
PAPERS.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY laid on the table the following sessional papers-- Report of the Director of Public Works for the year 1903, tropical diseases research. financial returns for the year 1903. returns of the Subordinate Court for the year 1903, report on the Health and Sanitary condition of the Colony of Hongkong for the year 1903, and Blue Book for the year 1903.
HILL RESERVATION.
The ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY 80conded. The Hon. Dr. Ho KAI-Sir, the Bill, the second reading of which has been just moved. has 21 decided savour of the nature of
I
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the health and happiness of a large section of the European community will be promoted-- suffer more or less when they are obliged to live being of this Colony so much depends, and by the section upon which the prosperity and well continuously under conditions of temperature yielding them the principle of this Bill we are second-conditions of life such as are to be found in
and environment which are to them unnatural really promoting not only their welfare, but the welfare of the whole of this Colony, all tropical countries, and which are at all times So far then, we do not propose to offer trying to those who are forced to live in the lower levels of tropical
any opposition to this Bill, but 88 places. But that am here representing the Chinese-the inconvenience and that danger which exists Chinese community, of course, have something everywhere is accentuated in this island to say to this Bill! In order to ascertain their of Hongkong by the necessity. arising views those of the leading members only- from a restricted area,
which compels manifestly it is impossible for as or for the the dense population to live together closely Government even to ascertain the views of the crowded. Itisunavoidable as far as I can see that
Chinese in general, nor do I think it is the lower levels should be under this unenviable imperative or necessary to do necessity, which is due to the fact of the restrict leading Chinese have
80-the ed arca in which thousands have to live where there meetings to consider the Bill, and to sum held 8 series of is onlyroom for hundreds. Now this fact is due up, shortly, the result of it I wish to put it to this other fact: that the continued influx of Chinese into Hongkong is enormous, attracted
that the majority have, after three meetings. instructed us, or let us know by resolution, here as they are by the fact that they possess that they would not oppose this Bill because NOTICE OF QUESTIONS.
security to life and property to a greater extent they had had the reasons explained to them and Hon. Mr. POLLOCK-Your Excellency. I than can be obtained elsewhere in this part of the they think, I suppose, the reasons were sufficient; beg to give notice that I shall ask certain East. Well, Sir, we welcome the Chinese who like but at the same time unanimously have request- questions at next meeting of Council of which to come here, and we put no limit upon their num- ed the Government to be so good as to
gave notice on Friday last. I understand bers. Consequently it is not possible to reserve the Government is not prepared to answer these within the limits below the line which is ordin-
alter somewhat the phraseology of the Bill. questions now.
In Committee I hope I will be able to lay before I beg to give notice that Iarily known as the 700 feet contour any area shall ask them at next meeting.
the Council some suggestions as to the altera- within which the conditions of healthy life can HIS EXCELLENCY-The clerk
tion of the Bill which, if found by the thebe found as a rule. We want as many people Council not objectionable and quite as effective questions?
to come here and live and trade and in carrying out the principle of Bill, I hope promote the prosperity of themselves and every member of this Council will consent to un- the country as choose to come. the same time, wishi and everyone, I think, in ing to any conclusion otherwise, for the sake of We, at less they can point out a good reason for com- this honourable council, or outside of it. wishes unity and to satisfy the Chinese also who have to preserve as area capable of being inhabited without that close crowding which in all countries
so far granted this concession. There was a minority in these meetings who are not
EMPLOYMENT OF PILOTS.
has
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK--YES.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL moved the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to provide for and regulate the Employment of Pilots. He said-The object of this Bill is to
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