LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 4.
WEDNESDAY, 8TH MARCH, 1893.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
(Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.).
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (GEORGE THOMAS MICHAEL O'BRIEN, C.M.G.).
the Attorney General, (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN).
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the Registrar General, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART).
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the Colonial Treasurer, (NORMAN GILBERT MITCHELL-INNES). the Director of Public Works, (FRANCIS ALFRED COOPER).
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the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY).
CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.
Ho KAI, M.B., C.M.
EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS.
JAMES JARDINE BELL-IRVing.
ABSENT:
The Honourable THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 8th February, 1893, were read and confirmed.
PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers, viz. :-Report of the Sanitary Surveyor for 1892; Report of the Superintendent of Fire Brigade for 1892; and the Report of the Head Master of the Victoria College for 1892.
RESOLUTION.-The Registrar General gave notice that he would move the following resolution at the next meeting:
Whereas, by section 20 of Ordinance 11 of 1890, it is enacted that Part II. of "The Women
and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890," should only continue in operation for a period of two years from the coming into operation of that Ordinance or such further period or periods as might, from time to time, be determined by Resolution of the Legislative Council. And whereas the said Ordinance came into operation on the 6th day of April, 1891, by virtue of a Proclamation duly issued under section 34 of the said Ordinance by the Officer then administering the Government, which Proclamation was published in the Gazette of the 4th April, 1891.
And whereas it is desirable to further extend the period during which the said Part II. of the said Ordinance shall be in operation. It is this day resolved by the Legislative Council of Hongkong that Part II. of "The Women and Girls' Protection Ordinance, 1890,” shall continue in operation until further notice.
QUESTIONS.-The Honourable C. P. CHATER, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions :-
1. What is the total amount so far as has been ascertained to date of the loss occasioned to the Treasury through the defalcations of A. F. Alves, late Clerk and Accountant therein?
2. Over what period of time have these defalcations extended so far as is at present known? 3. Was the defaulter guaranteed in any way, and if so how, by whom, and to what amount? 4. When were the defalcations first discovered and when were any steps taken for the arrest of the defaulter? Is it a fact as stated in the newspapers that Alves was allowed time during which he was able to make away with the books and accounts incriminating him and to escape from the Colony?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
Honourable C. P. CHATER, asked the following question on behalf of the Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD, absent by permission.
Will the Government appoint a commission composed in the main of persons unconnected with the Government Service to investigate and report publicly on the management of the Treasury Department and on the circumstances connected with A. F. Alves' defalcations?
The Colonial Secretary replied.