LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 10.
MONDAY, 17TH JULY, 1893.
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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).
the Acting Registrar General, (ALEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON).
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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, R.N.).
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CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.
JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.
Ho KAI, M.B., C.M.
THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 19th ultimo, 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 :-
1. The Blue Book for 1892, and the Report thereon. (No. 5.)
2. The Assessor's Report on the Assessment for 1893-94. (No. §.)
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, (No. 4).
QUESTIONS.-The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would ask the following questions:---
1. Has the attention of the Government been directed to a letter in the "China Mail"
Saturday, 15th instant, on the subject of the lighthouse keepers at Gap Rock? Have the lighthouse keepers complained to the Harbour Master or to the Government direct in respect of their pay and position? Is there any connection between these complaints and the unsatis- factory condition of the working of the Gap Rock signalling arrangements? If any such complaints exist, will the Government direct the Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor on 19th June last to investigate and report on the working of the Gap Rock Lighthouse, the telegraphic communication therewith, &c., &c., also to investigate and report on these complaints? ·
2. What is the net amount in sterling which has been received by the Crown Agents in London in respect of the recent Hongkong Gold Loan? Has any portion been remitted to Hongkong, or drawn for by the Colonial Government, and if so, at what rates of exchange? How is the balance in the hands of the Crown Agents invested? If invested, what rate of interest is it earning? And what instructions have the Colonial Government sent to the Crown Agents since the closing of the Indian Mints to the free coinage of silver as to the disposal of the balance of the loan?
MOTION.-The Honourable E. R. BELILIOS, pursuant to notice, made the following motion, and addressed the Council:-
That the Secretary of State be requested by telegraph to come to an early decision on the question of an expenditure of $60,000 for the erection of a residence at the Peak for His Excellency
the Governor.
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