THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, AUGUST 11, 1911.
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QUESTIONS.-Mr. POLLOCK, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions :----
1. Is it the fact that the Government has let the premises formerly occupied by the Post Office at a rent of $406 per month, or at some other and, if so, what rent?
2. For what period are such premises let and has the lessee any and what option as
to renewal?
3. For what purpose did the lessee take the said premises and what rent is he likely
to receive for sub-letting the same?
4. Does the Government consider the rent which the lessee has agreed to pay an dequate rent, and, if so, for what reasons? Did the Government, before agreeing to accept such rent, make any calculations as to how many shops the ground-floor of the said premises could reasonably he sub-divided into, or make any enquiries as to the rents paid by shops in the neighbourhood? If not, why not? Did the Government make any enquiries as to what rents the first floor was likely to bring in, it sub-divided into rooms for Offices? If not, why not?
5. Why was not the leasing of the said premises put up to Public Auction with a Reserve? Is it not usual for Government dealings with land to be put to Public Auction with a Reserve? Are there not some instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
THEIR MAJESTIES' THANKS.-His Excellency the Governor read a despatch received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies conveying the thanks cf Their Majesties the King and Queen for the telegram sent by the Executive and Legislative Councils on the occa- sion of the Coronation.
WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSION AMENDMENT (No. 3) BILL.-The Colonial Secre- tary moved the First reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to yet further amend the Widows' and Orphans' Pension Ordinance, 1908.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
POST OFFICE AMENDMENT BILL.---The Attorney General addressed the Council and moved the Second reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend the Post Office Ordinance, 1900.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. On the motion of the Attorney General the bill as read a first and second time was withdrawn and a reprint of the bill containing several amendments was substituted.
The Colonial Secretary moved that the Standing Orders be suspended to enable the Bill to be considered by the headings of the sections without reading them. The Attorney General seconded, but, on Mr. POLLOCK objecting, the motion was withdrawn, and the Bill was considered clause by clause.
On the motion of the Attorney General, it was agree that the words "against the Principal Ordinance" in the last line of sub-section (2) of the new section 33 in section 7 be deleted, and that the word “be be inserted between the words "shall" and "liable” in the second line of sub-section (2) of the new section 33e.
On the motion of His Excellency the Governor the Bill was left in Committee.
CROWN SOLICITORS BILL.-The Attorney General moved that the Bill entitled An Ordinance to make provision for the appointment of and to define the powers of the Crown Solicitor and Assistant Crown Solicitor, be withdrawn.
The Colonial Secretary seconded, and the motion was agreed to.