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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 16TH SEPTEMBER, 1871.
True, that a large portion of this has been already absorbed by the liberal Grants made to the Widows of deccased Public Officers, and to the Cathedral and other Churches, as also by the Completion of the Lock Hospital, the Police Stations at Showkewan and Causeway Bay, an other Works of importance; but nevertheless, even with an allowance of $100,000 for the Votes passed in anticipation of the Supplementary Estimates of 1871, you may rely upon a Surplus of $56,122.39 at your disposal on the 31st of December next.
As the Colonial Secretary will be prepared to afford in Committee whatever explanations you may require relative to the charges upon the Revenue, it is unnecessary for me to allud to them now. I cannot omit, however, to draw your special attention to the financial arrange. ments which have been made for the strengthening of the Police Force, as well by the enlistment of 40 trained men in England, as by an addition to the Chinese branch of the Service in June 1872, when the engagements of very many Sikhs and Indians will expire.
The Bills are then read a first time; namely:-
(1.) A Bill, entitled "An Ordinance to authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum not exceeding Eight thousand Dollars to defray the Charges of the Year 1870."
(2.) A Bill, entitled "An Ordinance to apply a Sum not exceeding Six hundred and Eighty-six thousand Dollars to the Public Service of the Year 1872."
Read a first time, a Bill" to eripower the Governor from Time to Time to enrol Constables in the Police
Force for Periods of less than Five Years, and upon special Terms and Conditions.”
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary explains the grounds and reasons upon which the Bill is founded.
The Bill relating to the Banishment of Dangerous Characters is laid on the Table for the second Reading. and the Honorable the Attorney General, by desire of His Excellency, explains its provisions. The Bill is then read a second time, discussed and amended in Committee, and passed, -- bearing the Title of “ An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to amend the Laws relating to the Banishment of Persons dangerous to the Peace and good Order of the Colony,"-being "No. 4 of 1871.”,
The Bill for Breach of Conditional Pardon is laid on the Table for the second Reading, and the Honorable the Attorney General, by desire of His Excellency, explains its general provisions
The Bill is then read a second time, discussed and amended in Committee, 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 to whom a Pardon has been granted under Ordinance No. 1 of 1860, and who may be found at large witlis the Colony, in Violation of the Condition of such Pardon,"--being "No 5 of 1871."
The Emigration Bill, which was read a first time at a Meeting of the Council held on the 28th of July, and since published in the Government Gazette of the 17th December, 1870, is brought forward for second Reading.
At the suggestion of the Honorable WILLIAM KESWICK, it is ordered that consideration ef the Bill be adjourned till the next Meeting of the Council.
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency, states that it is not the intention of the Colonial Government to proceed with the Bill to extend the Provisions of Ordinger No. 14 of 1860, in relation to the Remission of Penalties and Forfeitures, (which was read a fist time at the Meeting of the Council of the 5th June), pending further Instructions from de Secretary of State.
Read a Petition, which had been transmitted by the Secretary of State, from Mrs. Masson, widow of N. R. MASSON, Esquire, late Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court of Hongkong, praying that a Gratuity may be awarded her from the Colonial Funds.
Discussion follows,-after which it is resolved, that the further consideration of the prayer of tår
Petition be deferred till the next Meeting of the Council.
Consideration is given to a Petition of Mrs. ANNINGSON, widow of the late Police Inspector ANNING» *
praying for a charitable allowance.
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, upon authority of the Captain Superintendent st Police, corroborates the statement of the Petitioner in support of her application, and re mends the Grant of a Gratuity of $150.
Whereupon, it is moved by the Honorable WILLIAM KESWICK, seconded by Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE, and carried unanimously, that a Gratuity of $150 be granted *
Mrs. ANNINGSON.
His Excellency adjourns the Council at 20 Minutes to 4 o'clock, till Monday the 11th Instan
2.30 P.M.
Read and confirmed, this 11th Day of September, 1871.
L. D'ALMADA È CASTRO, Clerk of Councile.
HENRY WASE WHITFEILD, Major-General, and Lieutenant-Govern