32
281 of 1890,
C. A sum of Eight hundred and Five Dollars, ($805), to cover the Salaries and Allowances to the two Inspectors in the Registrar General's Department, in accordance with instructions from the Secretary of State,
and C.S.O.
386 of 1891.
650 of 1891. A sum of Nine hundred and Eighty Dollars, ($980), as a compassionate allowance to the widow and daughters of the late Mr. F. V. RIBEIRO, Clerk in the Audit Office,
.$
805.00
$
980.00
The Acting Attorney General seconded the motions with regard to the first two of these Votes, and the Colonial Treasurer seconded the motions with regard to the remainder.
Votes passed.
Questions-put and agreed to.
The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD asked the following questions, viz. :-
1. With reference to the explanation given by His Excellency Sir G. William Des Voeux at the Council Meeting held on the 30th April last, in connection with the payment of the arrears
-
of the Military Contribution for 1890 without the sanction of the Council, will the Govern- ment lay upon the table a copy of the telegram or telegrams from the Secretary of State on the authority of which the money was paid?
2. Will the Government lay upon the table a copy of the Despatches, referred to in the Acting Colonial Secretary's letter of 13th instant to the Honourable P. Ryrie, received from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, conveying His Lordship's views and instructions in regard to the increased salaries voted in the 1891 Estimates, and state the date on which the same were received, also a copy of Governor Sir G. William Des Voeux's telegram dated 25th ultimo to the Secretary of State referred to in the said letter together with a copy of the telegram received from the Secretary of State in reply?
3. Will the Government lay upon the table a copy of the despatch dated 2nd September last of His Excellency the Officer then Administering the Government to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies in connection with the proposed Share Sale Regulation Bill, and a copy of the Secretary of State's despatch in reply?
4. Has the attention of the Government been directed to the result of the enquiry into the cause of the death of the Engineer and Fireman belonging to the Steam launch which was blown up on the 7th May, and to the rider added to their verdict by the Jury to the effect that all launches plying in Hongkong harbour whether for passenger traffic or otherwise should be compelled to undergo a periodical survey, and if so will the Government state whether it is intended to legislate rendering compulsory periodical surveys of all launches in Hongkong Waters? 5. With reference to the telegram from Her Majesty's Government directing the Colonial Government to stop all Public Works not yet begun, and referred to in Sir G. W. Des Voeux's speech in this Council on 5th March last, will the Government lay on the table a copy of the Despatch or Despatches received from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State in confirmation of the said telegram, or having reference to the stoppage of Public Works to which the Colony is not already actually committed?
6. Will the Government state whether the Memorandum dated the 20th December, 1890, addressed to His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong, signed by all the Unofficial Members of Council and dealing with the Estimates for Public Works Extraor dinary for 1891 was forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies and if so on what date. Have any communications been received from the Secretary of State on the subject of that Memorandum and if so will the Government lay copies of them on the table?
The Acting Colonial Secretary replied and laid on the table the copies of the telegram and despatches referred to in Questions 1, 3, 5 and 6.
The Honourable J. J. KESWICK gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would ask the following question :--
Whether it is a fact that Members of the Legislative Council are precluded from either voting for or nominating any canditate for election to the Sanitary Board, although such Members are Ratepayers?
The Standing Orders having been suspended, the Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD moved the following resolution:-
That the Share Brokers Association be heard by their Counsel immediately prior to the motion for the second reading of the Bill entitled " An Ordinance to amend the Law in respect of the Sale of Shares in Companies registered under the Companies Ordinances 1865 to 1886 and in other Joint Stock Companies."
The Honourable Ho Kar seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.