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·PRESERVATION OF BIRDS,
The Governor said he had an important little ordinance to read a first time to prevent the destruction of birds in the Colony. There were so few on the island, and they were so great an addition to any scenery, that he hoped the bill would be passed. It was a subject which every one felt interested in who took an interest in the Colony. Every spot would not be under the ordinance, as the Governor reserved power to exempt certain places; but the birds about the city would be saved from the muskets and blowpipes which at present killed so many of them. Any member would have an opportunity of discussing it on the second reading.
Read a first time.
EMIGRATION,
On bringing forward for second reading the ordinance further providing rules for emigration in Chinese passenger ships, the Governor and Colonial Secretary were led into a conversational discussion with the Acting Chief Justice regarding the Imperial Act and the Chinese Passengers Act, and their bearing on the present ordinance.
The Acting C.J. put it that the ordinance could only refer to the Chinese Passenger Act, and he could not understand how it could apply to the Pacific steamers, for instance.
The Col. Secy. presumed that the two acts (the Imperial and the Chinese) were intended to go together, and that the mail steamers were specially exempted in the Imperial Act.
H. E. said that he meant to carry out his instructions which he had received from the Home Government in as straightforward a manner as possible: he thought his power was clear, and he meant to carry it out. And the power was to stop any ship from leaving this harbor with coolies bound to a place where the coolies were likely to be ill-treated.
The A. C. J. said he never heard of the two Acts being connected, and the present ordinance no doubt referred to only the Chinese Passenger Act.
H. E. said that he would not like to have any reference arising from any technical difficulty, and he would therefore defer the second reading.
excess
SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. The Governor then brought forward the Appropriation Ordinance for a supplementary sum of $37,191.76.
He said they supplementary estimates were much smaller than ever they had been before; and he then explained the various items in the detailed estimates. Under the heading of Colonial Secretary's department, the salary of Mr Wodehouse (interpreter) had to be provided for; and under that of the Surveyor General, the salary and allowances of the Inspector of Buildings. Iron safes had also been provided, and in a climate like this, where damp was as destructive as anything else, he thought that a room should be provided, heated with steam pipes, so as to preserve well, official documents, &c. The powder bulk and that celebrated vessel the Preposterous had been included, for repairs in the Harbour Master's excess and the Fire Brigade (he was glad they had now got one), was a new item altogether. For the Gaol department the estimate had been rather under-stated, in the desire to be as economical as possible; and though there was accommodation for 1,500, he did not expect more than 500; and the Mint officials' transport appeared as a pretty large item. H. E. then drew attention to the statement in the detailed estimates showing the saving and excess, and sums expended under authority of the Secretary of State, or of H. E., not in accordance with the estimates, but covered by the votes. There was really a saving of over $50,000, though they applied for a fresh vote.
Mr Gibb said he would like some explanation of one or two items in the Supplementary Estimates. They were so far very moderate; but there was a sum which appeared under the Postmaster General's department which was not sufficiently clear. It seemed to be merely a transfer of the $116,000 from one account to the other.
H. E. said that the form of accounts was agreed to last time, but it was owing to the mixture of Imperial funds.
The Colonial Secretary said it was not a very correct way of keeping accounts.
Mr Gibb said it was not an actual saving, and that nothing appeared on the debit side. The hon. member then noticed several items expended under authority from the Secretary of State, and remarked, that although he did not object to the items themselves, and did not question that the money had been well-used, still as a matter of principle no money should be expended without the direct sanction of this Council. Though the total items were not much, he held strongly to the principle, and would even say that the Special Fund should also be under the authority of the Council; there were many charges upon that fund which would remain permanent charges on the Colony, for instance, the telegraph would have to be kept up.
The Governor said if that item were not paid from the Special Fund, the Colony would have to go without it. As to the principle referred to, he would never object to it, but the simple fact was that it was impossible to follow it out, considering the exigencies in the service which continually arose. The spirit of the principle was observed as nearly as practicable; but he did not believe it was possible to apply it to every amount expended with mathematical exactness, unless the Council was always in Session. There was no desire thus to expend sums of any great magnitude; but in small sums it was impossible to prevent such action here or anywhere else, in dealing with contingencies, unless the Council met over and over and over again. This H. E. repeated, saying that as to the general principle it was as closely adhered to as the circumstances of the service permitted.
Mr Gibb admitted this so far.
H. E. continued to say that the subject had been discussed elsewhere.
The Colonial Secretary presumed that the hon. member would not wish government to fail in supplying the wants of the service.
Mr Gibb only objected to the principle.
Mr Keswick here rose and said that, as some of the items referred to were large, under the principle became important, the head of Roads and Bridges, there was an item of $25,000; and it became a question of serious consequence when such sums were thus expended.
The Colonial Secretary remarked that there was a saving of $52,000, and the Executive was surely justified in expending money voted.
Mr Keswick replied that the money was voted for one purpose and expended upon another.
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