964
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20TH OCTOBER, 1888.
PAPERS.--The Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid upon the table the following papers :-
(1.) Report of the Superintendent of the Botanical and Afforestation Department for 1887.
(No. 1).
(2.) The Colonial Surgeon's Report for 1887. (No. 14).
(3.) Returns of Births and Deaths for the year 1887. (No. 1).
(4.) The Assessor's Report on the Assessment for 1888-9.
(No. 16).
(5.) The Harbour Master's Report for 1887. (No. 17).
(6.) Report on the Blue Book and Departmental Reports for 1887. (No. 18).
(7.) Proposed Light-house on Gap Rock. (No. 1).
(8.) The Blue Book for 1887.
QUESTION. Mr. LAYTON, pursuant to notice, asked the following question
Is there any truth in the rumours to the effect that an order has been given that Mendicants are not to be arrested in the Colony; and that the burning of paper clothes in the streets by the Chinese is to go on unchecked?
His Excellency replied.
BILLS ENTITLED THE FRENCH MAIL STEAMERS ORDINANCE CONTINUATION ORDINANCE, 1888, and THE GERMAN MAIL STEAMERS ORDINANCE CONTINUATION ORDINANCE, 1888.- At the suggestion of His Excellency the Governor that both Ordinances should be taken together, the Attorney General moved the first reading of these Bills.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Bills read a first time.
On the motion of the Attorney General the Standing Orders were suspended.
His Excellency then addressed the Council.
The Attorney General then moved that the Bills be read a second time.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Mr. RYRIE opposed the motion, and addressed the Council.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
Question put-that the Bills be read a second time.
The Council divided :
For
The Honourable the Captain Superinten lent of
Police.
the Surveyor General.
the Acting Colonial Treasurer.
Against
Honourable B. LAYTON.
"
J. BELL-IRVING. WONG SHING.
P. RYRIE.
*
the Attorney General.
the Colonial Secretary.
the Acting Chief Justice.
Motion carried by a majority of two.
Bills read a second time.
The Council then went into Committee on the Bills.
Bills reported without amendment.
The Attorney General then moved that the Bills be read a third time. Question-put and passed.
Bills read a third time.
Question put-that these Bills do pass.
Bills passed, and numbered respectively as Ordinances 18 and 19 of 1888.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORISE IN CERTAIN CASES JUDICIAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO CAUSES OF FIRE. --The Attorney General moved the first reading of this Bill, and explained that it was
in substitution of the Bill entitled The Fire Enquiry Ordinance, 1888, which was read a first time at the last Meeting.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
His Excellency addressed the Council.
Question-put and passed.
Bill read a first time.
ADJOURNMENT.--The Council then adjourned to Thursday, the 13th instant, at 4 PM.
Read and confirmed, this 17th day of October, 1888.
ARATHOON SETU, Clerk of Councils.
G. WILLIAM DES VOEUX,
Governor.