VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 8 of 1859.
WEDNESDAY 9th NOVEMBER, 1859.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, AND ALL THE MEMBERS.
The Council met to-day by special Summons.
The Minutes of the Council held on the 21st September last, were read and approved.
The Colonial Secretary observed that, under existing circumstances, there was not the same necessity as before for the motion on the subject of the Hongkong Press, of which he had given notice. He thought it right, however, to endeavor to obviate the current misrepresentation of his object in the intended motion. His intention had been solely to provide some substantial security for the Public against the scurrilous attacks of a portion of the Press, and the means which he had designed to propose for this purpose were such as no respectable Editor would object to. With this explanation he would, with His Excellency's permission, withdraw his notice of motion.
His Excellency The Governor laid upon the Table the Estimates for 1860, and having explained the financial position and prospects of the Colony, moved the first reading of a Bill, entitled "An Ordinance to apply a Sum not exceeding Ninety Thousand Pounds to the Public Service of the Year 1860." The Bill was accordingly read a first time; and the second reading was fixed for Monday, the 21st instant, at Noon, to which Day the Council adjourned.
HERCULES G. R. ROBINSON,
Governor.
Read and approved, this 21st Day of November, 1859.
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.