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it had been read a first time on the 18th instant.
2. I have the honour to forward copy of my Minute laying this Bill before the Council. After reading this minute I informed the Council that the report of Justice Russell, the Commissioner for Hong Kong, was a Confidential document, and could not, therefore, be laid on the table.
As however, I considered it desirable that the members of the Legislative Council should have an opportunity of being acquainted with its contents before the second reading of the Bill, I invited them to attend a meeting of the Executive Council, when the report would be read. Accordingly, on the 20th instant, a meeting of Members of both Councils was held, when of course, no reporters were present. I stated to Members briefly what had been done and the instructions which