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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 4TH MARCH, 1899.
Mr. BELILIOS also gave notice that at the next meeting he would ask the following questions :—
(1.) The Special Commissioner appointed to report on the newly-leased territory at the back of Kowloon having duly made such report to the Colonial Office, returned to Hongkong, and resumed his duties as Colonial Secretary, will the Government lay on the table copy of his report and of all correspondence in connection with the extension of the Colony?
(2.) Will the Government be good enough to state when and how the new territory will be taken
possession of?
(3.) Has any hitch occurred in the negotiations to cause the delay which has taken place? (4.) Will the leased area become part and parcel of the Colony of Hongkong administered by the existing officials or is it designed to appoint a separate staff of officials to govern the new territory?
(5.) If it has been decided to make it a separate administration, will the Government say whether
any estimate has been given of the cost of such undertaking?
(6.) Has the question of Chinese jurisdiction or otherwise in the City of Kowloon been settled? (7.) If Kowloon City is not included in the concession, will the Government state what steps have been taken to relieve the harbour of longkong of the supervision of the Chinese Customs Cruisers?
(8.) Are the existing Customs stations on the borders of the Harbour to be set back to the outer
edge of the new frontier?
QUESTIONS.-Mr. BELILIOS pursuant to notice asked the following questions:-
(1.) The plot of land lying between Arbuthnot and Hollywood Roads to the N.E. of Victoria Gaol which has been resumed and cleared of the houses formerly standing thereon, and which has for about 12 months been lying fallow and unproductive, being a valuable site, will the Government state whether any plan for utilising it was considered before the rent- earning dwelling houses were demolished?
(2.) If plans for utilising the ground had not been considered before the destruction of the property standing on this site, will the Government state whether or not such plans are under consideration now?
(3.) If plans and specifications for building on the site are ready in the hands of the Public Works Department, will the Government be good enough to state when it is probable that such buildings will be ready for occupation by the Government servants or others for whom they may have been designed, and at what date the Colony may expect to be relieved from payment of rents for the accommodation of such Government Officers?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
Mr. CHATER, with the permission of His Excellency the Governor, asked the following question:-
Will the Government state whether any steps have been taken to prevent sales of land in the Kow-
loon extension since the signing of the Convention?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
BILL Entitled An Ordinance to Consolidate and amend the Laws relating to Merchant SHIPPING, THE Duties of the HARBOUR MASTER, THE CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT OF THE WATers of THE COLONY, AND THE REGULATION Of vessels navigatING THE SAME.—The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Mr. BELILIOS addressed the Council.
The Acting Attorney General addressed the Council.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
The Acting Attorney General moved that the Bill be referred to the Standing Law Committee. The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.