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The COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of Government, laid on the table the following His Excellency the Officer Administering the
papers.-Report on the Evening Continuation Classes; report on the Post Office for the year 1906; a minute by the Principal Civil Medical Officer, on the Public Health and Building Ordinance Commission.
THE RATING ORDINANCE.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND indignation in the old-fashioned way, and a Standing Law Committee on the Ordinance to few symbolic banners and political catch-amend the B lls of Exchange Ordinance. words need then to be introduced to label the manifestation as a genuine anti-dynastia rebellion. The Manchus, historically, are conquerors of China, but it is a long time since they gained that eminence, and it is generally admitted that the conquerors have become more Chinese than the con. quered have turned Manchu. Any wide. spread anti-Manchu feeling to-day is as academic in China as is (say) the Scottish or Welsh anti-English feeling. Wide. spread discontent and disapproval there is, or the professional rebels would not have such an easy time of it, but those widespread feelings are directed at the immediate causes of poverty and unhappiness, official extor- tion and tyranny-all the less endurable, perhaps, because whispers of democratic liberty have begun to reach their ears from the outer world. The Chinese Emperor, given full power, relieved of the fear of the D wager-Empress and her reactionary friends, and with the overt good wishes of the Foreign Powers, could put an end to those feelings very soon, and probably would, whereas the methods of men like Viceroy SHUM serve to intensify and per- petuate them, and make the position of the professional promoter of revolutions practically a sinecure,
HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL.
A meeting of the Hongkong Legislative Council was held on the 6th instant in the Council Chamber.
PRESENT:----
HIS FXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINI- STERING THE Government, Hon. Mr. F. H. MAY, C.M.G.
MAJOR-GENERAL R. G. BROADWOOD, C.B.
A.CD.
Hon. Mr. A. M. THOMSON, (Colonial Secre- tary).
Hon. Mr. H. H. J. GOMPERTZ (Attorney. General)
Hon. Mr. C. McI. MESSER, (Colonial Trea- surer).
Hon. Mr. W. CHATHAM (Director of Public Works).
Hon. Mr. A. W. BREWIN (Registrar-General). Hon. Mr. F. J. BADELEY (Captain-Superin- endent of Police).
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI, M.B., C.M., C.M.G. Hon. Mr. WEI YUK.
Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.
Hon. Mr. H&WETT.
Hon. Mr. W. Osborne.
Hon. Mr. H. KESWICK.
From
% to 81%
1
TRE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the following resolution: Resolved by the Legia. ative Council that the percentages on the valuation of tenements payable as rates in the undermentioned places be altered from the 1st day of July, 1907, as follows :---
Quarry Bay, Sham Shui Po, To Kwa Wao, Ma Tau Wei, Kowloon City Tai Kok Tsui.. Fak Tsun Heung,. Shaukiwan East, Shaukiwah West, Shaukiwan Road,
Po Kan Wat, ... Tsing Shiu Ma Tau, Sai Wan Ho, Whilfeild, Tung Lo Wan Hok Un...
ני
་་
to 9
11
to 9
11
to 9
11
to 9
3 F
**
to 101
"
to 10%
9
1
17
"1
to 101 to ju
17
19
13
to 10
11
9
**
**
to 103
11
9
51
to 10% to 11
་་
21
11
to 101
1f
S
9
to 103
}}
to 102
The differences, as a rule, were on account of the fire brigade, police, lighting and water services.
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the resolution was agreed to.
THE COMMISSION'S REPORT. Hon. Dr. Ho K 1-dir, I beg to give notice that at the next meeting of Council I will ask the following questions:-
(1) What steps does the Government proposa to take, and when, in regard to carrying out the recommendations of the Public Health and Building Ordinance Commission?
(2) If the Government does not propose to carry out the recommendations of the Commis- sion in toto, which of such recommendations does the Government propose not to carry out?
(3) Will the Government make a statement of what they propose to do with regard to the recommendations of the Commission ?
WANCHAI WATER SUPPLY.
Hon. Mr. H. E. POLLOCK asked the following questions:
1. (a.) Has the Government received com- plaints with reference to deficiencies in the supply of water to houses in Wanchai?
(b.) If so, has the Government taken any, and what, steps to remedy such deficiencies ?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied: A complaint in writing dated the 25th March last, was received from one, Mr. T. Spafford, regarding the inadequacy of the supply of water to his house, No. 12, Sau Wa Fong. An inspection was at once made, and it was dis. covered that the rider main valve had become
Mr. A. G. M. FLETCHER (Clerk of Councils). ! choked. The valve was cleared on the 26th
MINUTES..
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.
HIS EXCELLENCY appointed the Hon. Mr. H. Keswick to fill the vacancy on the Public Works Committee caused by the departure of the Hon. Mr. W. J. Gresson.
FINANCI L.
on
The COLONIAL SECRETARY-I beg to lay the table the report of the Finance Committee (No 3), and move its adoption. The only amount involved in the report is the advance on railway construction for the current year.
The following is the resolution which the Finance Committee unanimously agreed to:- "It is hereby resolved that a Sum of Two million four hundr d and thirty-eight thousand Dollars ($2,438,000) be advanced out of Funds in the Custody of the Government for the purposes of construction of the Kowl on anton ailway (British Section) during the year 1907."
The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was carried:
PAPERS.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL, by command of His Excell noy the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the report of the
March. A verbal complaint was made on the 11th May by a Mr. Petersen regarding de. ficiency of water in Sau Wa Fong, and, after inspection, it was decided to put in an additional connection from the principal main to the rider-main thus enabling an increased supply to | be obtained. The work was completed on the 14th May. A consistant supply was turned on the 17th May, and no further complaints have been received.
PEAK FIRE APPLIANCES, Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked :-
2. (a.) What Government appliances exist for the extinguishing of fires at the Peak?
(b.) Does the Government consider that such appliances are sufficient? If not, what steps does the Government propose to take, and when, to remedy such deficiencies!
THE CAPTAIN POLICE replied :-
SUPERINTENDENT
OF
2. (a) A fully equipped hose cart is kept at each of the two Folice Stations.
[June 10, 1907.
TEKES FOR BEATIN.
Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked:- 3. Will the Government consider the advis along and on the Northern slope from the road ability of planting fir-trees and camphor-trees
which runs at the side of the catch-water in the Shatin Valley?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied :---
Pine trees have been planted in the made ground on the northern slopes of the catchwater this year, and pine and camphor trees will be planted along the road in the level ground next year. The hills above and below the catchwater are also included in the planting programme for next year.
THE COMMISSION, Hon. Mr. POLLOCK asked:
4. (a). Has the Principal ivil Medical Officer stated in writing to the Government his views with reference to the Report of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance Commission ? (b). If so, will the Government lay a copy of the writing containing such views upon the table?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied: 4 (*). Yes.
(b) Paper laid on the table.
BRITISH BUBSIDIARY COINS.
Hon, Mr. OSBORNE asked:
sury,
1. Will the Government cause notices to be exhibited at the paying-in counters of the Trea- Post Office, Harbour Office, Magistracy and other departments; also inserted in Chinese newspapers, informing the Public that British Subsidiary Coins are legal tender up to 82 in silver and 81 in copper on sach bill; that Government shroffs are bound to receive them up to the above amounts, and that the ublic are not bound to accept more than these amounts, as change ?
2. With a view to creating a demand for British Subsidiary Coins, will the Government consider the advisability of increasing the limit to which they are legal tender?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY replied:
1. (8). A notice will be sent to Depart- ments accordingly and a notification to the public on the subject of subsidiary coin generally is being considered.
(b). A debtor is bound to tender the exact amount of his debt in legal currency, but there is no objection to adding this to the notification.
2. The suggestion underlying this question is contrary to the accepted economic principles governing the issue of subsidiary coinage,
THE RICKSHA SERVICE. Hon. Mr. OSBORNE asked:
3. Will the Government say what stops have been taken towards improving the Ricksha service, in view of what was stated in this Council on 7th June, 1906 ?
The CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE replied:-
The Government after careful investigation are of the opinion that, owing to the large decrease in the demand for rickshas incident upon the opening of the Electric Tramway, the licensees, if called upon to provide a better type of rioksha, will not have sufficient inducement to carry on their business aless the scale of fares is raised or the licence fee is reduced. It is considered that it would not be expedient to make either of these concessions.
It was decided in October last to abolish the restriction on the number of licences issued and to leave the matter of an improved service to private enterprise. There are grounds for be lieving that an experimental service of ricksha, of an improved type with rubber tyros may shortly be introduced.
GAP ROCK TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION.
Hon. Mr. OSBORNE asked:
4. Will the Government state how long telegraphic communication with Gap Rock haa been interrupted?
5. In view of the approaching typhoon season will the Government take steps to have the cable repaired at an early dite?
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied: (4) Telegraphic communication with Gap Rock has been interrupted since the morning of the 18th September last, when the land-line was broken by the typhoon. The cable itself was broken by the typhoon of the 29th Septem.
ber.
(b) Not altogether. Steps are being taken to place a Despatch Box at Mountain View Terrace. But to establish in a rural district like the Peak a satisfactory system of (5) A Proposal for establishing a wireless protection against fire would involve large insullation is under consideration, pending expenditure which the Government is not pre-setil-ment of which no steps are being taken to pared to undertake.
repair the cable.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.