42
In June, 1885, the Major-General Commanding represented to the Governor the necessity of a large increase in the amount contributed by the Colony, in order to meet the cost of the improved and extended works of defence, and, in accordance with the Colonial Regulations, the Governor referred the question to the Secretary of State before asking the Council to vote the necessary sum. The Despatch now laid before the Council conveys the sanction of Her Majesty's Government to the application for such vote. It will be seen from this Despatch and its enclosure that the revised estimate of the cost of constructing the Defence Works is £116,000 instead of £55,625.
The Secretary of State for the Colonies has no doubt that the Council will loyally consent to vote the necessary amount for completing the Defences of Hongkong in an efficient manner. The Officer Administering the Governinent therefore asks the Council to vote the additional sum of £60,375. It appears doubtful whether any part will be spent before 1887, but it is necessary that a vote should be passed to enable the Royal Engineers' Department to enter into contracts for the execution of the works. Government House, Hongkong, 16th February, 1886.
W. H. MARSH.
(2.) The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to re-vote the following
C.S.O.
sums:-
586. Amount due to the late Contractor for the Scavenging of the City during
the first 6 days of November, 1885,
Government House, Hongkong, 16th February, 1886.
W. H. MARsh,
..$
296.00
(3.) The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to re-vote the following
sums:-
C.S.0. 2582 of 1885.
For re-building the retaining wall below the Civil Hospital, damaged by
the recent fire,
...$ 8,000.00
C.S.O.
2569 of 1885.
For building a retaining wall to prevent landslips at the rear of Inland
Lot 696, East of the Government Civil Hospital,
...$ 945.00
Owing to the late period of the year at which these votes were passed (November, 1885), it was not possible to complete the works.
Government House, Hongkong, 16th February, 1886.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that these Votes be referred to the Finance Committee.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and passed.
THE LATE HONOURABLE F. B. JOHNSON.-The Honourable P. RYRIE, referring to the news just received of the death of the Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, formerly a Member of this Council, moved a vote of condolence with the widow and family of the deceased.
The Honourable T. JACKSON seconded.
Question-put and passed.
BILLS PASSED.--On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secre- tary, the following Bills were read a third time and passed:-
(a.) Bill to regulate the printing of Newspapers and Books and the keeping of Printing Presses
within the Colony.
(b.) Bill to repeal the Usury Laws and to fix a legal Rate of Interest.
BILL ENTITLED THE TRADE MARKS ORDINANCE, AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1886.-FIRst reading. -On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Ordinance was read a first time.
The Attorney General gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the second reading of this Bill.
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