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 20th April, 1903, (No. 3), and moved its adoption.
The Colonial Treasurer seconded.
Question-put and agreed to.
REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.-The Director of Public Works, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the Table the Report of the Public Works Committee dated the 20th April, 1903, (No. 1).
PAPERS. The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers :--
1. Report on the Fire Brigade, for 1902.
2. Report on the Po Leung Kuk, for 1902.
3. Report of the Acting Registrar General, for 1902.
4. Report of the Harbour Master, for 1902.
5. Report on the Post Office, for 1902.
6. Report on the Botanical and Afforestation Department, for 1902.
7. Report of the Government Bacteorologist, for 1902.
8. Report on the Health and Sanitary Condition of Hongkong, for 1902.
RESOLUTION. The Colonial Treasurer moved the following Resolution :-
Resolved that the percentage on the valuation of tenements, payable as rates in the village of
Mong-Kok-Tsui be altered from 10 to 121 per cent.
The Colonial Secretary seconded,
Question-put and agreed to.
NOTICE OF QUESTIONS.-Mr. SHEWAN gave notice that, at the next meeting of the Council, he would ask the following Questions:-
Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary be good enough to give the following information respecting the working of the Crown Agents system with regard to this Colony-
1. (a.) What method is adopted for paying the Crown, Agents?
(b.) Do the Crown Agents receive a commission on orders executed in addition to
regular salaries?
(c.) Do they receive remuneration from other Crown Colonies in addition to this?
2. What is the annual sum paid by the Colony to the Crown Agents during the past three years, giving salary and commissions separately, or what annual sum has been charged to the Colony for the services of the Crown Agents?
3. (a.) Are all orders for material, etc., sent to Europe on behalf of the Colony, made
through the Crown Agents?
(b.) If not, what system is adopted with regard to such orders which are not cae-
cuted by the Crown Agents?
4. (a.) What system is adopted to ensure that all orders on behalf of the Colony are`
executed by the firm best able to carry out the work at the most reasonable price?
(b.) If orders are put up to tender only for those firms on the Crown Agents' lists,
how are these firms selected?
(c.) Can any reputable firm on application be placed on the Crown Agents' lists, or do the Crown Agents exercise a right to refuse to place a firm on their list? (d.) In the event of such a refusal, has the firm thus rejected any right of appeal
and, if so, to whom?
5. Will the Government state whether they received a letter from the Secretary of the Sanitary Board sent by direction of the President, conveying the following resolu- tion unanimously adopted at the meeting of property owners at the Sanitary Board office on 18th May, convened by advertisement in European newspapers in the Colony, namely:"That the permission of H. E. the Governor be obtained to have the report, which was read by Dr. Pearse at the meeting on the subject of over- crowding and its abatement, printed and circulated amongst the European bant owners in the Colony”?
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