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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 25TH FEBRUARY, 1871.
On the next Vote for "Miscellaneous Services" being proposed, The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, by desire of His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor, suggests that this Vote, which is put down on the Estimates at $29,000, be increased by $3,500, being the amount of the Contribution promised by the Government towards the erection of a larger Chancel in Saint John's Cathedral, the first Stone of which was laid by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on the 16th of November, 1869.
Discussion follows.
The Correspondence on the subject is then produced, and it appearing from it that His Excellency Sir RICHARD MACDONNELL's promise to contribute the sum named was conditional upon an equal amount being raised by the Community and paid into one of the Banks,-a condition which has not as yet been fully complied with,-it is generally agreed, that the promised Contribution on behalf of the Government should form the subject of future consideration by this Council.
Whereupon, it is Resolved that a Sum not exceeding $29,000 be appropriated to defray. the Expense of "Misce laneous Services."
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It is also Resolved, that a Suin not exceeding $94,000 be appropriated to meet the amount of "Military Contribution.”
The Estimates having gone through Committee, and the Appropriation Bill being amended in accordance with the foregoing Votes, His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor puts the Question that this Bill as amended do pass, and that the Title be-"An Ordinance enacted by The Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to apply a Sum not exceeding Six hundred and Eighty-seven thousand Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1871.
Question put and carried,—the Ordinance being numbered “No. 15 of 1870.”
The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, by desire of His Excellency, submits that a further Sum of $1,000 is required to defray the Cost of the maintenance of the Colonial Steamer Victoria to the end of the current year; and the Expenditure of the sum named is sanctioned by the Council.
On the representation of the Colonial Secretary, the Council also sanctions an Expenditure not
exceeding $670 for the overhauling and caulking of the Gunpowder Hulk.
The Bill relating to Breach of Conditional Pardon, is read a Second time, amended in Com-
mittee, and passed,-bearing the Title of "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to provide for the Trial and Punishment of Offenders, not being Subjects of China, to whom a Pardon has been granted under Ordinance No. 1 of 1860, and who may be found at large within the Colony in Violation of the Condition of such Fardon,”—being No. 16 of 1870.
The Bill respecting Crown Fees is read a Second time, committed, and passed with certain verbal ainendments,--bearing the Title of "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to empower the Governor in Council to reduce, vary, and in certain Cases to remit and refund the Amount of Fees payable for the Use of the Govern- ment of the Colony”—being “No. 17 of 1870.”
The Honorable The Attorney General, Chairman of the Special Committee appointed to examine and report upon the Clauses of the Bill to amend the Law respecting Pawnbrokers, brings up their Report, and the same is read and received.
The Report is as follows:-
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"The Special Committee of the Legislative Council of Hongkong, appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor to examine and report upon the Clauses of the Bill to amend the Law respecting Pawnbrokers, which was read a first time at the meeting of the Honorable Council, held on the 28th day of July last, have the honor to report as follows:-
"The Committee are of opinion that the following Concessions should be granted to Pawnbrokers:-
"Firstly. That they should be relieved from the Liability to make good the Loss of Pledges
which may be stolen without any Default on their part, before the Period of Redemp tion, and therefore that Section XVIII of No. 3 of 1860 should be repealed as proposed in the Bill, so as to leave the Rights and Liabilities of the Parties on this subject, as they now exist by the Common Law of England. Secondly.-That a Provision should be introduced in the Bill relieving Pawnbrokers from the Liability to forfeit their License at the discretion of a Magistrate for the Offences mentioned in Sub-sections 1, 3 and 4 of Section XXIV of Ordinance No. 3 of 1860, but that a Power to cancel the License in Gross Cases of Misconduct should be reserved to the Governor in Council in whom alone, the Power to grant the Licenses is now vested.
"On the other hand the Committee are of opinion that Pawnbrokers should no longer be entitled to the absolute forfeiture of Pledges at the Expiration of Three Months (or Six in case of renewal) without regard to the value of the Pledge, but that they should have a Power of sale at the Expiration of One Month from the Period of Redemption, and that within Six