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PAPERS. The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Sessional Papers, viz. :—
Statement showing the total Revenue and Expenditure for the year 1891, and a comparative statement of the Revenue and Expenditure of the Colony in 1890 and 1891. (No. 13 of 1892).
The Sanitary Superintendent's Report for the year 1891. (No. 14 of 1892).
The Sanitary Surveyor's Report for the year 1891. (No. 15 of 1892).
The Colonial Veterinary Surgeon's Report for the year 1891. (No. 16 of 1892).
The Balance Sheet of Water Account for 1891. (No. 17 of 1892).
The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would ask the following questions, viz. :—
(1.) With reference to the Notification No. 289 in the "Government Gazette" of 29th June, 1891, notifying the appointment of Commander WV. C. II. Hastings as Superintendent
of the Water Police," will the Government inform the Council,--
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1. If Commander Hastings has yet assumed the duties of that Office.
2. If not, has Commander Hastings received any emoluments pertaining to the
Office in addition to free residential quarters, Tsim Tsha Tsui, &c.
3. If so, what do they amount to, and what is the estimated value of the free
quarters, &c.
4. Is Commander Hastings still drawing any emoluments in respect of the Office,
and if so how much.
5. If Commander Hastings has not yet assumed the duties of the Office, what does
Government intend to do in respect of the post.
6. Will the Government lay on the table any papers pertaining to the creation of the appointment, and the non-performance of the duties of the Office by Commander Hastings.
(2.) With reference to the grant of $3,000 for Protestant Chaplains, &c., for 1892, voted by the Council in November-December, 1891, will the Government inform the Council, if the Secretary of State has approved of the vote, or any portion of it, if so how much, how is the money to be divided, and what is the principle on which the division is to be made. (3.) With reference to the Memorial and Petition of Bankers, Merchants, Brokers, Traders, and others carrying on business in the Colony of Hongkong, addressed to the Right Honourable Lord Knutsford, Secretary of State for the Colonies, in connection with the Bill entitled "An Ordinance to amend the Law in respect of the sale of Shares in Com- panies registered under the Companies Ordinances 1865 to 1886, and in other Joint Stork Companies," will the Government lay on the table a copy of any reply thereto, which may have been received.
(4.) Will the Government revert to the convenient system obtaining in former years, of appen:ling to the printed draft of each new Bill statement or memorandum of the objects and reasons for its introduction.
The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move the following resolution, viz. :-
That in consequence of the constantly increasing cost of the Administrative Staff of the Govern- ment of Hongkong, it having risen from $547,650 in 1887, to nearly $800,000 in 1892, exclusive of $65,200 for pensions, and that the Colony's Revenue in the near future is more likely to decrease than expand, Government appoint a Commission selected from the Un- Official Members of Councils, and the general community, with the Honourable Mr. O'Brien, the Colonial Secretary, as Chairman, with full powers to enquire into and report with a view to retrenchment on the working of all the Departments of the Government, and as to the desirability or otherwise of the redistribution of work, the amalgamation of certain offices, the increasing of the hours of the official day, privileges in the way of leave, &c., $c. The Honourable C. P. CHATER gave notice that at next meeting of Council he would ask the following question :-
Will the Government lay upon the table a copy of any reply received to the petitions addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies by European and Chinese Bankers, Merchants, Shipowners and Traders residing in the Colony, praying for the repeal of the Ordinance to restrict the Loading and Unloading of cargo on Sunday in the Waters of the Colony,