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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 3.
WEDNESDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY, 1899.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
(Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).
His Excellency Major-General WILLIAM JULIUS GASCOIGNE, C.M.G., General Officer Commanding. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G.).
the Acting Attorney General, (HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK).
the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY, R.N.).
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the Captain Superintendent of Police, (FRANCIS HENRY MAY, C.M.G.).
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the Colonial Treasurer, (ALEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON).
the Director of Public Works, (ROBERT DALY ORMSBY).
CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, C.M.G.
HO KAI, M.B., C.M.
THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.
EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS, C. M.G. JAMES JARDINE BELL-IRVING.
WEI YUK.
The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 1st February, 1899, were read and confirmed. PAPERS. The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers :---
1. Report of the Head Master of Queen's College for the Year 1898.
2. Report of the Superintendent of Victoria Gaol for the Year 1898.
QUESTIONS. Mr. BELILIOS pursuant to notice asked the following questions :--
(1) Will the Government state whether or not sites for the proposed new Law Courts and for the
new Post Office have been selected?
(2) Will the Government state whether the plans for the above-named buildings have been con-
sidered, and whether they are prepared to recommend such plans for adoption?
(3) Will the Government state whether the Secretary of State for the Colonies has sanctioned any scheme for the erection of the new public offices above-named put before him by the Government?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
NOTICE OF QUESTIONS. Mr. BELILIOS gave notice that at the next meeting he would ask the following questions :→→→
(1.) The plot of land lying between Arbuthnot and Hollywood Roads to the N.E. of Victoria-
Gaol which has been resumed and cleared of the houses formerly standing thereon, and which has for about 12 months been lying fallow and unproductive, being a valuable site, will the Government state whether any plan for utilising it was considered before the rent- earning dwelling houses were demolished?
(2.) If plans for utilising the ground had not been considered before the destruction of the property standing on this site, will the Government state whether or not such plans are under consideration now?
(3.) If plans and specifications for building on the site are ready in the hands of the Public Works Department, will the Government be good enough to state when it is probable that such buildings will be ready for occupation by the Government servants or others for whom they may have been designed, and at what date the Colony may expect to be relieved from payment of rents for the accommodation of such Government Officers?
RESOLUTION.-The Colonial Secretary moved the following resolution :—-
Whereas it has been usual to warn officers appointed to the service of this Colony since 1894, from a country possessing a gold standard of currency, that the exchange compensation allowance on half their salaries will be granted to them so long as it is granted to other members of the service, but that the continuance thereof is not guaranteed and is subject to the annual vote of the Council, and it is deemed that such warning is calculated to deter eligible persons from entering the public service, it is hereby resolved that it is expedient to discontinue such warning in future, and to regard the compensation as a permanent but not as a pensionable emolument. The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to unanimously.
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