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The Bill was passed there and then, and, in reply to a request by Mr. RYRIE that Mr. MACEWEN's question and the reply thereto should be specially noted, Sir WILLIAM DES Vœux further said :--
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"His Excellency-Of course this will be recorded, and I think it "will be just as well to mention in the minutes that Mr. MACEWEN drew "attention to the matter, and that I said that this extra rate was intend- "ed by me to be distinctly a payment for the Gap Rock Lighthouse and nothing else. Of course, when Mr. RYRIE talks of a promise, I must say it is absolutely impossible for me to bind my successor about any- thing. All I can say is that I have not the slightest intention to apply "the rate for any other purpose. If a necessity arose for doing so, I "should come to this Board and inform it of the fact."
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From these extracts it will be clear to His Excellency the Governor that Sir WILLIAM DES Vœux made an explicit pledge, so far as he was concerned, that when the purpose for which this Special Gap Rock Lighthouse Rate was levied had been achieved the impost would cease. This being the case beyond all cavil, my Committee confidently appeal to the Governor to carry out the expressed intentions of his predecessor in office, feeling sure that His Excellency's sense of justice will bind him to the fulfilment of the pledge given to the representative of this Chamber.
The tax of one cent per ton levied prior to 1889, and still imposed, on ship- ping, yields more than sufficient to provide for the upkeep and maintenance of all the lights, and the Committee therefore have the less hesitation in praying for the abolition of the Special Gap Rock Lighthouse Rate.
Trusting that His Excellency will see his way to perform the pledge made by his predecessor without undue delay,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
To Honourable
J. H. STEWART Lockhart,
Colonial Secretary.
R. CHATTERTON WILCOX, Secretary.
(Colonial Secretary to Secretary, Chamber of Commerce.)
No. 1292.
SIR,
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,
HONGKONG, 14th August, 1896.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo, on the subject of the Gap Rock Light Rate, and to inform you in reply that the matter is receiving the attention of the Government.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.
The Secretary,
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.