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BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR SECURING THE STATUS OF THE FRENCH MAIL STEAMERS WITHIN THE PORTS OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG. On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE. PROVISION FOR SECURING THE STATUS OF THE GERMAN MAIL STEAMERS WITHIN THE PORTS OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.
BILL ENTITLED AN ÜRDINANCE EMPOWERING THE COURTS TO AWARD WHIPPING AS A FURTHER PUNISHMENT FOR CERTAIN CRIMES.-The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and stated the objects and reasons of it.
The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.
In connection with this Bill, His Excellency informed the Council that at the time the Gaol Commission who recommended this measure sat, the number of prisoners in Gaol was 710, and that last week the number was only 559.
Mr. MACEWEN enquired whether the Secretary of State's Despatch on the Report of the Com- mission would be published.
:
His Excellency said he was unable to answer the question now, as he did not know whether he was at liberty to lay the Despatch upon the table, but that he would see about it before next meeting.
Question-put and passed.·
Bill read a second time.
BILL ENTITLED An OrdinancE FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF YOUNG GIRLS.-On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council resumed consideration, in Committee, of this Bill.
Bill reported with several amendments.
The Acting Attorney General gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council, he would move the third reading of this Bill.
Mr. MACEWEN suggested that, in view of the extensive alterations made in Committee in the Bill, it be published in the Gazette before proceeding to its third reading,
The Acting Attorney General offering no objection, it was ordered that the Bill, as amended, be published in the next issue of the Gazette.
BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE MORE EFFECTUAL PREVENTION OF CRIME.-On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, the Council went into Committee on this Bill.
Bill reported with some verbal amendments, certain clauses being reserved for further con- sideration.
BILL ENTITLED, AN ORDINANCE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE TRIAD AND OTHER UNLAWFUL
SOCIETIES AND FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF THE MEMBERS THEREOF. -On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a third time.
Question put-that this Bill do pass.
Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance No. 8 of 1887.
ABOLITION OF CORONER'S JURIES IN CERTAIN CASES.-The Acting Attorney General that at the next meeting of Council he would move the following resolution:-
gave notice
Whereas the circumstances of this Colony do not require the enquiry into cases of sudden or violent death by a Coroner's. Jury, and whereas no advantage is found to arise from such enquiries, be it resolved that it is expedient to introduce an Ordinance abolishing the Office of Coroner and providing for an enquiry into cases of sudden or violent death by a Police Magistrate without a Jury, and for the holding of Inquests by a Police Magistrate with a Jury on the bodies of persons who die in Gaol.
ADJOURNMENT.-The Council then adjourned until Friday, the 18th instant, at 4 P.M.
W. H. MARSH, Administering the Government.
Read and confirmed, this 18th day of March, 1887.
ARATHOON SETH,
Clerk of Councils,