10
VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the Reports of the Finance Committee, dated the 25th February and 7th March, (Nos. 2 and 3), and moved that the following Votes referred to therein be passed, viz. :~~-~
314 of 1891.
90. Dep. A sum of Forty-four Dollars, to cover the increase to the salary of the Clerk and Interpreter to the Magistrate acting as Coroner, being 20 per cent. over his pay, from 1st February, 1892, .
C.S.O.
4 of 1999.
A sum of Two thousand Eight hundred and Eight Dollars, for the Salary and Allowance of a Temporary Surveyor, whose work is to be in connection with the surveys and information required for the Squatters Board,.
.$
44.00
...$ 2,808.00
A sum of Three thousand Nine hundred and Twenty-eight Pounds Seven Shillings and Eleven Pence, due to the War Department out of the sum of £116,000 contributed for Defence Works,
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put as regards the first two votes and agreed to.
£3,928.7.11
The Council divided on the vote of £3,928.7.11 when it was passed by Nine votes to One (Hon. T. H. WHITEHEAD).
The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would ask the following questions:-
1. Does the Government intend to give effect to the opinions expressed in the Report (dated Hongkong, 20th February, 1892,) of the Commission appointed to consider Quarantine, and Quarantine Regulations, by amending that part of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance of 1891, which deals with Quarantine, and if so when does it propose to do so.
2. With reference to the Honourable the Acting Harbour Master's Report on the Junk Trade of Hongkong for 1891, dated 11th January last, and more particularly to paragraph 17 thereof, which reads as follows:
"The only controllable causes of the depression of the Junk trade are the suppression "of the system of espionage established by the Chinese Customs in Hongkong, and "the preservation of the neutrality of British waters,"
will the Government lay on the table copies of the former correspondence referred to in the said report, and any further information or reports in his possession on the subject of the system of espionage established by the Imperial Chinese Customs in Hongkong, etc.
The Honourable C. P. CHATER asked the following question :-
"Whether it is a fact that the Acting Harbour Master, the Honourable Mr. Hastings, has received
the appointment of Acting Postmaster General during the absence of Mr. Travers."
His Excellency replied.
BILL ENTITLED
AN ORDINANCE TO GIVE EFFECT TO THE CHANGE IN NAME AND STYLE OF THE SURVEYOR GENERAL AND SURVEYOR GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT."-The Attorney General moved the first reading of the Bill.
The Colonial Secretary seconded. Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
BILL ENTITLED
"AN ORDINANCE TO CONSOLIDATE AND AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO THE GRANT IN THIS COLONY OF LETTERS PATENT FOR INVENTIONS."-The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Council in Committee on the Bill.
Council resumed and Bill reported with amendments.
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE FURTHER PROVISION AS TO THE ISSUE OF NIGHT PASSES FOR CHINESE."-The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.
The Registrar General seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Council in Committee on the Bill.
Council resumed and Bill reported with amendments.