(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 exe-
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?
(e.) 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 land owners in the Colony”?
6. If so, has any reply been sent thereto? If not, why not?
7. Is the Government aware that the President of the Sanitary Board stated at the Board on the 19th instant that no answer had been received to that letter, but that the report had been laid on the table and was accessible to the Press if they wanted it?
8. Does the Government propose to print and circulate Dr. Pearse's report in terms of
the resolution? Or is it true, as rumoured, that the report has been withdrawn from circulation and that the information which has been placed at the disposal of the Chinese will not be available for European land owners?
9. Does the Government approve of the request of the Chairman that the Europeans
should leave the meeting of land owners above referred to?
10. Will the Government instruct the Government Printers to print a larger number of
copies of Ordinances, as it appears that the Passenger Act (No. 1 of 1889) Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance is now out of print and cannot be supplied?
The Colonial Secretary replied.
NEW TERRITORIES LAND COURT AMENDMENT BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first read- ing of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 13 of 1900 entitled An Ordinance to facilitate the hearing, determination, and settlement of land claims in the New Territories, to establish a Land Court, and for other purposes.
The Colonial Secretary seconded. Question-put and agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION FOR 1902 BILL.- -The Colonial Treasurer moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of One million eight hundred thousand two hundred and one Dollars and forty Cents, to defray the Charges of the Year 1902.
The Colonial Secretary seconded.