VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 11 of 1858.
FRIDAY, 7th MAY, 1858.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND ALL THE MEMBERS, EXCEPT THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR AND THE CHIEF JUSTICE.
The Council assembled to-day by Special Summons, no Meeting having taken place on the 17th April, pursuant to order from His Excellency The Governor.
The Minutes of the Council held on the 5th of April, were read and approved.
The Governor stated, that a Dissent by Mr Lyall and Mr Dent from the Draft Ordinance for regulating Chinese Passenger Ships, and a Minute from the Attorney General in answer to that Dissent, had reached His Excellency since the last Meeting, and had been forwarded to the Secretary of State.
It was moved by the Acting Colonial Secretary, and seconded by the Colonial Treasurer, that the aforesaid Dissent and Minute be recorded in to-day's Proceedings.
His Excellency read Despatch No. 4 of 5th March, 1858, from Lord Stanley, determining the course to be followed in respect of the Annual Estimates of Colonial Revenue and Expenditure, and in respect also of Taxation,─copies of which, accompanied by an Extract from the Colonial Regulations upon the Estimates, with be furnished to each Member of the Legislative Council, as directed by The Secretary of State.
The Acting Colonial Secretary, with the Governor's permission, called the attention of the Council to certain Statements in the last issue of the Hongkong Register Newspaper, affecting his character as an Officer of this Government. He expressed his wish that the Council should, in some manner, afford him an opportunity of proving the utter groundlessness of the insinuations contained in the above-mentioned Newspaper. Where upon,─
It was moved by Mr Lyall, seconded by Mr Dent, and carried unanimously, ─
That a Committee, consisting of The Honourable The Lieutenant-Governor, the Chief Magistrate, and Mr Dent, be requested to enquire into the Statements involving the integrity of the Acting Colonial Secretary, as connected with the Opium Monopoly.
The Ordinance for Registration of the Chinese and for Police purposes, was read a second time, ─
And the Council went into Committee upon the said Ordinance.
Sections I to V inclusive, to stand part of the Ordinance.
Section VI amended, and agreed to.
Section VII struck out.
Section VIII made Section VII, amended, and agreed to.
Sections IX and X, struck out.
Sections XI and XII, renumbered, and made Sections VIII and IX. Section XIII made Section X, amended, and agreed to.
Section XIV renumbered, and made Sections XI.
Section XV made Sections XII, amended, and agreed to.
Sections XVI, XVII, and XVIII renumbered, and made Sections XIII, XIV, and XV. Section XIX made Section XVI, amended, and agreed to.
Section XX made Sections XVII, amended, and agreed to.
Sections XXI to XXIV inclusive, were renumbered, and ordered to stand as Sections XVIII to XXI.
Section XXV made Section XXII, amended, and agreed to.
Sections XXVI to XXVIII inclusive, were renumbered, and ordered to stand as Sections XXIII to XXV.
Section XXIX made Section XXVI, amended, and agreed to
Ordered, that consideration of the remaining Sections of the Ordinance be resumed at the next Meeting.
Ordered, that the Draft Market Ordinance be recommitted, and circulated amongst Members.
The Council adjourned till Monday next, the 10th instant, at 12 o'clock. By Order of His Excellency The Governor,
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.