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INTERPRETERS,Mr. MACEWEN, in pursuance of private notice given to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, addressed the Council with reference to the question of Euro- pean Interpreters in the Colony, and asked if Government would appoint a Commission to enquire into this important subject.
The Acting Attorney General said that the Government had no objection to appoint a Cominission to examine into this matter.
Mr. MACEWEN consented to take a seat on this Commission.
QUESTION. THE PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS ORDINANCE.—Mr. RYRIE, pursuant to cotice, asked the following question:-
Is it the intention of the Government to redeem the pledge given by the Attorney General to the Un-official Members of Council previous to the third reading of The Printers. and Publishers Ordinance, 1886, namely, that he would embody the English Newspaper Act in an Ordinance to supersede this temporary measure; if so, when will the Bill be brought before the Council?
The Acting Attorney General replied.
THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL FOR 1885.-On the motion of the Acting Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Treasurer, the Council went into Committee on this Bill.
Bill reported without amendment.
On the motion of the Acting Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Treasurer, this Bill was read a third time.
Question put-that this Bill do pass.
Bill passed, and numbered 24 of 1886.
THE APPROPRIATION BILL FOR 1887.-On the motion of the Acting Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Treasurer, the Council went into Committee on this Bill.
During the progress of this Bill, the following discussions ensued:-
SURVEYOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT. The Dredger.
Mr. MACEWEN addressed the Council, and objected to the voting of $1,000 for a European Engineer, and $12,000 for dredging the fore-shore.
The Surveyor General addressed the Council on the subject.
The Acting Attorney General addressed the Council.
Mr. RYRIE addressed the Council.
No change was made.
LIGHTHOUSES.
Mr. MACEWEN addressed the Council with reference to the proposed Gap Rock Light.
His Excellency replied that this subject was under consideration.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The Vehicular Traffic.
Mr. MACEWEN addressed the Council on this subject, and pointed out that it was suggested by the Finance Committee, that the fees on Jinrickshas should be increased to $1 a month, and that the number of licences should be increased to 600 for Vehicles and 500 for Chairs.
The Treasurer moved that the whole question of public Vehicles be referred to a Committee of Enquiry consisting of the following Gentlemen :--
The Honourable J. BELL-IRVING,
THE CAPTAIN SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE, THE ACTING REGISTRAR GENERAL,
The Honourable THE TREASURER.
Mr. MACEWEN seconded the motion which was carried.
GOVERNMENT GARDENS AND PLANTATIONS.
The Afforestation Vote..
The Acting Attorney General referred to a reduction of $2,000 in the vote for tree planting, and pointed out that the general opinion of the Finance Committee was, that they would like to see the full amount granted if possible for tree planting, and that no reduction should be made in this vote.
His Excellency said that he could not sanction any increase, but that this question might be considered during the course of the following year.