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His Acting Colonial Secretary under date of 21st December is read.
The reply of Mr. Gibbons dated 29th December is also read.
After some discussion and consideration the Council unanimously assent to the suspension of Mr. Gibbons and His Excellency the Governor remarks that in proceeding to suspension he would transmit to Lord Kimberley all the documents required by the Royal Instructions in such cases.
The Governor observes, with reference to the mention of Stuffam's case made in Mr Gibbons' last letter as a charge against the Chief Justice, that Sir John Smale was absent from Hong Kong when Stuffam was appointed to the position in connection with Lyall Still Hospital in which he embezzled so much money.
That the Chief Justice was also absent from Hong Kong when Stuffam fled to Macao, and that, furthermore, Sir John Smale had many years ago, from time to time urged a searching audit of the Supreme Court accounts.
With reference to the Governor's invitation to the Members of the Council to state their views respecting the various charges made by Mr. Gibbons against the Chief Justice, the Council appears to be of opinion that, as Mr. Gibbons' charges and the Chief Justice's answers to them.