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(6.) Will the Government lay upon the table a copy in English of the Proclamations issued by the Canton and the Colonial Governments previous to the 17th April last and posted and placarded in the villages and towns throughout the New Territory informing the people and the inhabitants as to the effect the change of Government would have on their lives, liberties, and possessions, and state the dates when such proclamations, if any, were posted and placarded? (7.) What satisfaction, if any, has been obtained from the Chinese Government for the assault by the Chinese on the Honourable the Captain Superintendent of Police before our New Territory was taken over, and in respect of the resistance by thousands of armed Chinese to the British entering into posses- sion of the area leased by the Imperial Chinese Government to Great Britain per the Convention of June, 1898, the quelling of which resistance resulted in considerable and lamentable loss of life and which forced upon the Colony substantial amount of extra und avoidable expenditure?
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Has the attention of the Honourable the Director of Public Works been directed to the “China Mail's
leading articles of 15th and 23rd August alleging the existence of jerry buildings in Hongkong; will the Honourable Member inform the Council whether the said allegation is well founded; and if so, will he state what powers his Department possesses to prevent the erection of such buildings; what action has been taken by his Department in the matter; and if his powers are insufficient, is he taking any steps to get increased powers?
QUESTIONS. Mr. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions
(1.) New Public Works. —Will the Colonial Secretary inform the Council whether the Government has sanctioned the Director of Public Works withholding from the consideration of the Public Works Committee, plans, drawings, specifications, estimate of cost, and full informa- tion regarding proposed new Public Works, and, if so, what are the reasons for departing from the course in connection therewith and which has been customary hitherto for years past? (2.) "Beaconsfield." Repairs and Alterations.-Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council why the proposal to expend a substantial amount of Public money on repairs and alterations to "Beaconsfield" was not submitted to the Public Works Com- mittee for their consideration and report to the Council as has hitherto been customary? (3.) " Beaconsfield "Expenditure.-Will the Honourable the Colonial Treasurer inform the Council-(1) under what authority was the sum of $19,076.70 expended in alterations and repairs to “Beaconsfield," and cost of the litigation in connection therewith, disbursed ; (2) on what date was the said money paid; and (3) why has no financial minute been submitted to the Council or the Finance Committee in respect thereof?
(4.) Public Works Committee. Will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council why plans, drawings, specifications, estimate of cost, and full information in ra the new Public Works undertaken since about the middle of last year have not been sub- mitted to the Public Works Committee for consideration and report to the Council as has been customary hitherto for years past?
(5.) Special Commissioner's report on New Territory.-With reference to the Special Commis- sioner's report dated 8th October, 1898, on the Extension of the Colony, will the Honour- able the Colonial Secretary inform the Council whether, exclusive of servants, any other gentlemen or persons, Foreign or Chinese, other than those mentioned in para. 3 of the said report, accompanied him on his visiting any of the villages and towns in the New Territory; if so, what were their names, what was the necessity for their presence, and why and for what purpose were they permitted to accompany the Commission?
(6.) Kowloon Fire Precautions.-Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council whether, in view of the increasing number of houses on the Kowloon Peninsula, the Govern- ment has considered and deemed it expedient to make requisite provision in respect of a Branch of the Fire Brigade there whereby it will be possible to attempt to cope with any fires which may hereafter take place?
The COLONIAL SECRETARY.-The answer to the first question of the Honourable Member is "No." The answer to the second question is, "Because the expenditure was not contemplated."
The COLONIAL TREASURER.-The answer to the third question is (1) "On the authority of His Excellency the Governor. (2) 3rd May last. (3) I do not know."
The DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS.-The answer to the fourth question is, "No new Public Works have been undertaken since the middle of last year which have not been submitted to, considered, and approved by the Committee of the whole Legislative Council, except a few works in the New Territory which being of urgency were undertaken without the usual formalities being gone through.