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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 9TH MAY, 1885.
I stated to the Council, on the 15th April, that I had learned from other sources that it was very improbable that any torpedo-boats, beyond the four already here, could be spared for this Colony at the present crisis. I added that, in my opinion, we should prefer to look to our own resources on the spot, which can be made available in a very short time and at a very small cost. Directions have already been given that four of the stean-launches belonging to the Imperial and Colonial Governments shall be fitted forthwith for tor- pedoes, thus making a flotilla of eight torpedo-boats, which, as you are already aware, the Naval Authorities consider amply sufficient. I had also telegraphed asking when the heavy guns for the new forts may be expected to arrive. On this point the telegram is to this effect:
The new heavy guns will be sent as soon as practicable, though there will be some delay, owing to an alteration in the design of the gun-carriages. The rest of the heavy guns will be sent out sooner.
"an alter- I am informed by a high military authority here that the words in the telegram ation in the design of the gun-carriages," probably refer to the substitution of what are called disappearing carriages," which are considered necessary for the protection of the artillery- men while reloading.
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PAPERS.-The Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers:-
(1.) Correspondence respecting the Armaments of the Forts at Hongkong, (in continuation
of No. 14), (No. 14B.).
(2.) Correspondence respecting Fees charged for issuing Bills of Health. (No. 21).
(3.) Statement showing the total Receipts and Payments in the Year 1884, together with a Comparative Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Years 1883 and 1884. (No. 22).
(4.) Report on the Accounts of Receipts and Expenditure for the Year 1884, by the Colonial
Secretary and Auditor General. (No. 23).
VOTES OF MONEY REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-Read the following Minutes by His Excellency the Governor :-
G. F. BOWEN.
The Governor recommends the Council to vote the following suis:~
C.3.0.
849 of 1885. (1.) Cost of apparatus for testing Coal-Gas,
C.S.O.
927 of 1885.
C.S.O.
930 of 1885.
.$ 500.00
(2.) Honorarium, sanctioned by the Secretary of State, to Mr. W. C. HILLIER, Acting Chinese Secretary at the British Legation, for superintending
....£100 @ 3/8, 545.45 Chinese studies of two Cadets in Peking,
(3.) Arrears of pay for 1884, due to four Police Constables who have accepted the increase of pay under the new regulations as to term of Service for pension and remittance to England, at $60 each,.....................
9781885. (4.) Increase to the salary of the Student Apothecary in Civil Hospital,
from $16 to $30 per month, from the 1st January, 1885,
.$ 240.0
$ 168.0
Government House, Hongkong, 1st May, 1885.
The Colonial Secretary moved that these Minutes be referred to the Finance Committee.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and passed.
QUESTION.-The Honourable T. JACKSON, by permission, asked whether there is any objection state the grounds on which the prisoner LEE-LUM KWAI has been released from custody.