THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 4TH JUNE, 1879.
299
no part in acquiescing in those rules as a final act of right towards this Colony. I never approved of them, I do not approve of them, and I see other means by which redress can be obtained. I would further remark, with reference to your statement about no attention having been given to the matter by the merchants, that it is a subject they have never ceased to feel an interest in, and through the Chamber of Commerce the expression of their feelings has frequently been made. Your Excellency has also received from the Chamber communications on the subject. I think though we have had little but reference to the past, from your Excellency's remarks we may look hopefully to the future.
THE GOVERNOR'S VACATION.
HIS EXCELLENCY informed the Council that he proposed to leave on Saturday. On his leaving the Colony his Honourable friend, Mr. MARSH, would ask them to meet for the purpose of Mr. MARSH'S being sworn in by the Chief Justice as Administrator. He would take the opportunity of mentioning that he had given great consideration to the question as to who by his experience, by his public services, and by his official rank, was fitted to take the temporary post of Acting Colonial Secretary, and he had, after mature consideration, selected for that high office Dr. FREDERICK STEWART.
The Council then rose.
VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG.
No. 1 of 1879.
SATURDAY, 18th JANUARY, 1879.
PRESENT:
His Excellency Governor J. POPE HENNESSY, C.M.G.
The Honourable the Chief Justice (Sir JOHN SMALE).
The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary (CHARLES MAY). The Honourable the Acting Colonial Treasurer (M. S. TONNOCHY).
The Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE.
The Honourable HENRY Lowcock.
The Honourable WILLIAM KESWICK.
The Honourable JOHN MACNEIL PRICE.
ABSENT:
The Honourable the Attorney General (G. PHILLIPPO), from indisposition.
The Minutes of the two previous Meetings of Council are read and confirmed.
His Excellency the Governor announces that he had appointed Mr. M. S. TONNOCHY to be Acting Colonial Treasurer vice the Honourable. J. M. PRICE, who had resigned the office from pressure of work as Surveyor General.
The Honourable M. S. TONNOCHY, who had previously been sworn in as Acting Colonial Treasurer, takes his seat at the Table.
On the motion of His Excellency the Governor, the Bill to amend the Opium Ordinance, 1857, is read a second time.
With the permission of His Excellency, His Honour the Chief Justice, in the absence of the Attorney General, details certain alterations, which had been made by the Attorney General, after consultation with himself and Mr. RUSSELL, in the Bill as framed when read a first time.
The Bill is read a second time, and, on the motion of His Excellency the Governor, the standing orders are suspended, and the Council goes into Committee upon the clauses of the Bill.
On the motion of the Honourable H. Lowcock, the term "Excise Officer" is substituted for Revenue Officer" throughout the Bill.
The Bill is then committed and passed, with one or two verbal alterations, bearing the Title of "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council. "thereof, to amend Ordinance No. 2 of 1858, entitled An Ordinance for Licensing and Regulating the Sale of Prepared Opium,""-being No. 1 of 1879.
6
His Excellency the Governor informs Honourable Members that he had sold the Opium Farm for three years from the 28th proximo to Mr. BAN HAP, of the Singapore and Saigon Firm of Opium Farmers, for $205,000 per annum. His Excellency briefly details the steps by which he had succeeded in securing so large a sum, as compared with that obtained in past years.
His Excellency moves the first reading of a Bill to establish a Spirit Farm in Hongkong. Carried.
His Excellency refers to the recent lamentable conflagration in this Colony, and details the reforms which, in his opinion, were absolutely necessary to introduce in the Fire Brigade organisation.