LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 8.
MONDAY, 7TH DECEMBER, 1896.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
(Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.).
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His Excellency the Major-General Commanding (Major-General WILSONE BLACK, C.B.).
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary and Registrar General, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART
LOCKHART).
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the Acting Attorney General, (HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK).
the Acting Colonial Treasurer, (ALEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON).
the Director of Public Works, (FRANCIS ALFRED COOPER).
the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY, R.N.).
the Captain Superintendent of Police, (FRANCIS HENRY MAY, C.M.G.). CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.
Ho KAI, M.B., C.M.
THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS, C.M.G. WEI YUK.
ABSENT:
The Honourable JAMES JARDINE BELL-IRVING.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 3rd December, 1896, were read and confirmed. FINANCIAL MINUTES.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Financial Minute, (No. 27), and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee:
C.8.0.
2933 of 1896,
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of One thousand. Four hundred and Fifty Dollars, ($1,450), in aid of the vote "Expenses of the Volunteers."
Government House, Hongkong, 7th December, 1896.
The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 3rd December, 1896, (No. 5), and moved its adoption.
The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded. Question-put and agreed to.
NOTICE OF QUESTIONS.-Mr. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would ask the following questions :--
Will the Government lay upon the table an estimate as to the probable total cost of doing what is necessary to be done to the resumed area of Taipingshan before the lots can be put up to auction, and state the further probable time required to overtake the work?
In view of the present Opium Farm expiring in the spring of 1898, will the Government appoint a commission with full powers to investigate and report on the opium revenue generally, and upon the advisability or otherwise of substituting for the present Opium Farm bonded warehouses and a fixed duty on all opium not bonâ fide exported in a raw state?
BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO APPROPRIATE A PERCENTAGE OF SEVENTEEN AND A HALF PER CENTUM OF THE COLONIAL REVENUES AS A CONTRIBUTION FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE COLONY."— The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.
Council divided
For the second reading.
Honourable WEI A YUK.
The Captain Superintendent of Police. The Harbour Master.
The Director of Public Works.
The Acting Colonial Treasurer.
Against the second reading. Honourable E. R. BELILIOS.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD. Honourable Ho KAI
Honourable C. P. CHATER.
The Acting Attorney General.
The Colonial Secretary.
His Excellency the Major-General.
Bill read a second time,
Council in Committee on the Bill.
Council resumed and Bill reported with amendments.