)
312
C. O.
17742
REOP
REG" 10 OCT 81
to add that I have now
had the satisfaction
of five times laying the Annual Estimates of Hongkong before the Legislative Council, and that during the years 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880 and 1881 they have passed unanimously without a division being
even an
recorded or
amendment moved
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship's Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
Meshment
Extract from Hongkong Legislative Council, reported in the Hongkong Daily Press" of 13th August, 1881
Hon. P. RIRIE said-May I say a few words before the Bill passes, your Excellency, and that is to cordially endorse what has fallen from your Excellency as to the way the Estimates have been put before this Council. My experience dates back to a time when things were very different, when there was constant squabbling with the unofficial members over the Estimates, and when they were actually told that they must come up and pass them on such a day, or if they had not time to look into them by that day, that the Estimates would be passed without them, insomuch so that I had to send protest after protest to the Secretary of State until things were changed. I recollect in this Council Chamber an official member charged the unofficial members with having done something very wrong because they had met at one of their houses at a social tea party and there discussed the Estimates, with only themselves present. One would really have thought by the way in which it was looked upon by the official eye that this was one of the most frightful crimes. The gentleman is now in Singapore; I hope he is learning a little more wisdom. Year after year when the Estimates came on, there was nothing but discontent on the part of the unofficial members, and the flourishing in their faces of the orders of the Secretary of State. Since your Excellency has been here, there has been nothing but good humour and good feeling in the passing of the Estimates, the fullest information, and the most ample discussion.