Hong Kong sanitary board election, 1894
Hong Kong sanitary board election, 1894
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The 1894 Sanitary Board Election was supposed to be held on 16 June 1894 was the second election for the 2 unofficial seats in the Sanitary Board of Hong Kong. Only persons on the jury lists of the year were eligible to vote. There were only two candidates therefore there was no formal election was held. John Joseph Francis was elected for the third time.
During the election, the outbreak of the bubonic plague caused devastating damages to the colony. The plague raised the issue of the composition and power of the Sanitary Board. One proposal supported by the unofficial member Ho Kai suggested that Sanitary Board should transformed into a municipal council with higher status and more power.
Another view led by the unofficial members in the Legislative Council suggested that the Board should be abolished. the Governor William Robinson conducted a plebiscite of the British community based on the jury lists in June 1896, as to whether Sanitary Board should contain an official or unofficial majority.
The Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain refused to make any further constitutional changes. The election for unofficial members was not held until December 1899.
Overview of outcome
References
- Endacott, G. B. Government and people in Hong Kong, 1841-1962 : a constitutional history Hong Kong University Press. (1964)