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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 28TH OCTOBER, 1899.
as to the military inexpediency of the road in deference to strong public feeling in its favour, I think it probable that the construction of that section may be authorized, as the objection that prevented my authority being given was entirely military. If those new and important. works be undertaken it appears to me that the Public Works Department will have as much work on its hands as can be satisfactorily managed without considerable additions to the present staff.
The only other item that calls for especial notice is the increase of the Vote for the expense of the Volunteers from $12,000 to $30,000. This increase is mainly due to an increase in the number of the Corps from 185 to 304. The Corps now forms a valuable addi- tion to the effective armed forces of the Colony. In April last the regiment gave timely and valuable assistance, and its patriotic spirit has lately been shown by an offer to the Imperial Government of two officers and fifty men for active service in South Africa should unhappily hostilities be forced upon us. While the military authorities have not been able to accept their services I have been requested to convey to the Hongkong Volunteers the high appreciation by Her Majesty's Government of the loyal patriotism that prompted the offer an appreciation that will, I feel certain, be shared by every member of the community.
The following Bills will be submitted to you :----
An Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding Two million Six hundred and Eighty- one thousand Six hundred and Fifty-one Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1900.
An Ordinance to make further provision for the sanitation of the Colony and to repeal certain enactments of the closed houses and insanitary dwellings Ordinance, 1894.
An Ordinance for the Naturalization of SIN HIP PAN, alias ŞIN SHU FAN, alias SIN
SHIU KIN, alias SIN PING KIM.
An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Kwok YUNG KAM alias KwOK TO KAI alias
KWOK YING,
An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Ho SHUN T'ò, alias Ho KWAN YUK, alias
HO PING ÚN, alias Ho Tsor.
An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Hü CHOO, alias HÜ SHUN TS'ÜN, alias Ho
PING FONG, alias HU NAI KWAI.
An Ordinance for the Naturalization of Lò KÚN TING, alias Lò Fo, alias Lò CHING
CHIU, alias Lò Tin Fui.
An Ordinance to amend the Vagrancy Ordinance, 1897.
An Ordinance to amend the Rating Ordinance, 1888.
An Ordinance to amend the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1889.
An Ordinance to amend "The Protection of Women and Girls Ordinance, 1897.” I commend them to your most careful consideration. Again, I congratulate you on the abounding prosperity of the Colony, and I earnestly hope that your deliberations may tend to the welfare and progress of the community.
Council Chamber, Hongkong, 11th October, 1899.
HENRY A. BLAKE.
STANDING COMMITTEES.-His Excellency appointed the following Committees :--
(a) Finance Committee,-
The Colonial Secretary, (Chairman).
All the Members of Council, except the Governor.
(b) Law Committee,—
The Attorney General, (Chairman).
Honourable J. J. KESWICK,
Honourable Ho KAI.
Honourable E. R. BELILIOS. Honourable WEI YUK.
(c) Public Works Committee,-
The Director of Public Works, (Chairman).
The Colonial Treasurer.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.
Honourable E. R. BELILIOS.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.