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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH DECEMBER, 1895.
of enterprise abroad in this Colony. With its unceasing water supply the "model settlement has advantages in this respect which are denied to Hongkong; but there is no reason why local difficulties should not be faced and ultimately overcome, or why this valuable entrepôt of Eastern commerce should not also become ere long a great industrial centre.
Past and passing political events in the Far East are of special importance to Hong- kong. The peace of Shimonoseki, which brought the hostilities between Japan and China to a close in May last, has not been unproductive of disappointment, nor is the political horizon yet quite as clear as could be wished. It is to be hoped, however, that the Great Eastern Problem will work out peacefully and beneficially. In the meantime we may rest assured that the interests of Great Britain and her possessions will be safely guarded and judiciously forwarded by Her Majesty's Government as opportunity offers, and in this connection I would incidentally remark that whilst for a time at least local interests may necessarily be postponed in favour of purely Imperial interests, I have every reason to believe that the questions most particularly affecting this Colony have by no means been lost sight of
to me.
In conclusion, gentlemen, I thank you for the patient hearing which you have accorded The period which I have reviewed has been one of activity in sanitary reform and improvement in many other directions. I have looked in vain for the symptoms peculiar to a people “writhing under injustice" and "taxed up to the limit of endurance,” and I have discovered only that happy condition of progress and prosperity which usually obtains in a well-ordered community. To the maintenance of that progress and prosperity, to financial economy, to sanitary improvements, and to the furtherance, generally, of the best interests of this community, I shall faithfully continue to devote myself: With your ready and loyal co-operation, gentlemen, I can safely look forward to some additional measure of success during the term of government that still remains to me,
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.
The Registrar General.
Honourable J. J. BELL-IRVING,
Honourable Ho KAI.
Honourable E. R. BELILIOS.
(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.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO APPLY A SUM NOT EXCEEDING TWO MILLIONS FOUR HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-NINE THOUSAND AND SIXTY-TWO DOLLARS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE YEAR 1896.”—The Colonial Secretary moved the first reading of this Bill.
The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
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BILL ENTITLED " AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSIONS Ordinances of 1890 and 1891 (Nos. 30 of 1890 and 18 of 1891) '."-The Acting Colonial Treasurer moved the first reading of this Bill.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.