LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 5.
MONDAY, 31ST MAY, 1897.
15
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
(Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.).
His Excellency the Major-General Commanding (Major-General WILSONE BLACK, C.B.). The Honourable the Colonial Secretary and Registrar General, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART)
the Attorney General, (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN).
the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY, R.N.).
the Colonial Treasurer, (THOMAS SERCOMBE SMITH).
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the Captain Superintendent of Police, (FRANCIS HENRY MAY, C.M.G.).
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the Acting Director of Public Works, (WILLIAM CHATHAM). CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.
Ho KAI, M.B., C.M.
THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOs, C.M.G.
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WEI YUK.
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ABSENT:
The Honourable JAMES JARDINE BELL-IRVING.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 17th May, 1897, were read and confirmed. LIGHT DUES AND SHIPPING EXPENDITURE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excel- lency the Governor, made the following statement:—
Honourable Members will remember that not long ago there was laid on the Council table a despatch from the Secretary of State on the subject of light dues. On receipt of that despatch His Excellency the Governor at once took steps to have a return drawn up showing the expenditure incurred on account of shipping and the fees levied on shipping in this Colony. The Governor has received a return from the Treasurer, Harbour Master, and Captain Superintendent of Police. From this return His Excellency is satisfied that the question of shipping dues and shipping expenditure cannot be definitely settled until evidence has been taken on the subject. His Excellency therefore thinks that a Com- mission should be appointed to enquire into the important question of the fees levied upon and the expenditure incurred on account of shipping and has asked the following gentlemen whether they will serve as members of such a Commission:-(1) Sir JOHN CARRINGTON, (2) Honourable T. SERCOMBE SMITH, (3) Honourable Ho KAI, (4) Mr. HERBERT SMITH, (5) Mr. JOHN THURBURN. His Excellency hopes they will consent to serve.
PAPERS.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table. the following papers :-
1. Harbour Master's Report for 1896.
2. Medical Report on the Prevalence of Bubonic Plague in the Colony of Hongkong during
the years 1895 and 1896,
3. Postmaster General's Report for 1896.
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 17th May, 1897, (No. 2), and moved its adoption.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
FINANCIAL MINUTE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Financial Minutes, (No. 13 of 1897), and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee :-
'C.S.O.
1362 of 1897.
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Seven hundred and Fifty Dollars, ($750), in aid of the Hongkong Public Library.
Government House, Hongkong, 28th May, 1897.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.