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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22ND JULY, 1893.
PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE.-His Excellency the Governor laid on the table the following
papers:
:-
1. The Colonial Surgeon's Report for 1892. (No. 23.)
2. The Educational Report for 1892. (No. 3.)
3. Correspondence re Issue of Loan under Ordinance No. 2 of 1893. (No. 3.) MOTION.-The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice, made the following motion and addressed the Council.
That a small Commission be appointed to investigate and report on the working of the Gap Rock Lighthouse, the telegraph communication therewith, and the methods of reporting and signal- ling generally the arrival of ships and steamers in the waters of the Colony.
The Honourable J. J. KESWICK seconded and addressed the Council.
His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council, and intimated that he purposed appointing a Committee, consisting of:-
The Honourable the Harbour Master.
The Captain Superintendent of Police. H. H. Josepi, Esquire.
E. F. ALFORD, Esquire.
J. H. SCOTT, Esquire.
H. HOPPIUS, Esquire.
G. B. DODWELL, Esquire.
to investigate and report on the working of the Gap Rock telegraph and the methods of reporting and signalling the arrival of vessels in the waters of the Colony.
QUESTIONS.-The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice asked the following ques-
tions:-
1. If the correspondence between the Government and myself on the subject of the appointment of the Honourable the Registrar General as Chairman of the Special Committee appointed by His Excellency the Governor to investigate and report on certain points connected with the Bill for the incorporation of the Pó Leung Kuk has been forwarded to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and if the Secretary of State has expressed any opinion as to the propriety or otherwise of that appointment.
2. Have the Government taken any steps, and if so what steps, to recover from the persons named in the report of the Commissioners appointed by His Excellency the Governor to enquire into and report on the Treasury defalcations, and from their sureties, the amounts of the money lost to the Government during the periods in which they respectively held office, and if not does the Government intend to take any action?
His Excellency the Governor replied to each of the questions.
The Honourable E. R. BELILIOS, pursuant to notice, asked the following question :--
Will the Government state whether in connection with the erection of the new lighthouse on Waglan Island there was any understanding or agreement between the Chinese Government and the Imperial British Government or between the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs and the Colmial Government of Hongkong; also whether there was any special reason for the light- ing of the Eastern approach to the port of Hongkong being undertaken by the Chinese Imperial Maritime Customs.
His Excellency the Governor replied.
The Honourable E. R. BELILIOS gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would move--- That the Secretary of State be requested by telegraph to come to an early decision on the question of an expenditure of $60,000 for the erection of a residence at the Peak for His Excellency the Governor.
BILL ENTITLED "THE STATUTORY DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE, 1893."-The Honourable the Attorney General moved the first reading of this Bill.
The Honourable Dr. Ho KAI seconded.
Question--put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.