No. 28.
REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
OF THE
FINANCE COMMITTEE,
AT A MEETING HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, HONGKONG,
On the 24th October, 1888.
PRESENT:
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary (FREDERICK STEWART), Chairman.
the Attorney General, (EDWARD LOUGHLIN O'MALLEY).
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the Acting Colonial Treasurer, (HENRY ERNEST WODEHOUSE. C.M.G.).
the Captain Superintendent of Police, WALTER MEREDITH DEANE).
PHINEAS RYRIE.
WONG SHING.
JOHN BELL-IRVING.
í
BENDYSHE LAYTON, (vice the Honourable ALEXANDER PALMER MACEWEN),
on leave.
The Committee meet pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 22nd instant, are read and confirmed.
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES, 1887.
The Committee consider the Bill to authorise the appropriation of a supplementary sum of $194,468.63 to defray the charges for the year 1887.
Respecting the items under the heading of Extraordinary Expenditure, Mr. LAYTON suggests that an account of the amount expended on the Tytam Water-Works should be made up to date for the information of the public.
After explanation by the Colonial Secretary of the various items stated in detail in the Supple- mentary Estimates for 1887, the Committee recommend that the Bill be reported without amendment. ESTIMATES FOR 1889.
The Committee then proceed to consider the Bill to apply a sum not exceeding $1,234,921 to the public service for the year 1889.
Revenue, (page 6).
Mr. RYRIE expresses a wish to see an account of the premiums on land sales.
The Colonial Secretary states that the account will be submitted for the Honourable Member's inspection, as desired.
Governor's Establishment, (page 14).
Mr. BELL-IRVING invites attention to the small amount of salary set down for the Private Secretary, $1,440, and suggests that it should be increased.
Police Magistrates Establishment, (page 28):
The Attorney General suggests that under the item "Administration of Justice" the word "Costs" should be substituted for the words "Compensation to."
Amended accordingly.
Police, (page 29).
The Captain Superintendent of Police suggests that the salary of the Captain Superintendent and others, except that of the Adjutant, be placed under "Fixed Establishments."
Amended accordingly.
Sanitary Department, (page 33).
Mr. LAYTON suggests that more watchmen for the Hill District should be employed; and that it is not possible for two men to look after the whole District.
After deliberation, the Committee agree that it is a question for the Sanitary Board to raise. After explanation by the Colonial Secretary of the various items of Revenue, and of the amounts mentioned in the Departmental Schedules I to V, VII to XX, of the Estimates, the Committee recommend that the sums referred to in each be voted.
Consideration of Schedule VI, Surveyor General's Establishment, and Schedule XXI, Fire Brigade Establishment is postponed.
The Committee then adjourned until Saturday, the 27th instant, at 3 P.M.
FREDERICK STEWART,
Laid before the Legislative Council on the 12th November, 1888.
Read and confirmed on the 27th October, 1888.
ARATHOON SETH,
Clerk of Councils. .
Chairman.
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