Fire Brigade Establishment, (page 32).
After some discussion as to the adequacy of the water supply, on the completion of the Tytam Water-Works, for Fire Brigade purposes, the Comunittee recommend that the votes for this Establish- ment be approved,
Charitable Allowances, Transport, Works and Buildings, Rouds. Streets and Bridges, (page 34),
After explanations by the Chairman and the Surveyor General, the Committee recommend that the votes for these services be approved.
Miscellaneous Services, (page 35).
Referring to the item for "Commission to Crown Agents," Mr. BELL-IRVING enquires whether there is any chance of the contracts for the supply of articles for the use of the Colony being thrown open to tender in the Colony.
gene-
After some discussion, in the course of which Mr. BELL-IRVING asks that a list of what is rally wanted in the Colony be made out and laid before the Committes, the Committee recommend that the amount be approved.
Mr. RYRIE refers to the item "Loss in Exchange on Family Remittances," and suggests that the privilege of remitting at 4/2 should be extended to all members of the service.
Mr. BELL-IRVING is of opinion that all Officers who have come out to Hongkong on a Sterling agreement, and all Officers whose salaries are fixed by the Civil List Ordinance in Sterling, should be paid monthly in Dollars at the demand rate of the day.
Mr. LAYTON is of opinion that as we live in a Dollar using country, and as the Revenue is col- lected in Dollars, all Disbursements should be in that currency; but as the salaries of several Officers of the Government are fixed on a Sterling basis and at a fixed Exchange of 4/2, it is only right that a revision of such salaries should be made to meet the fall that has taken place in the value of silver; at the same time, seeing that exchange is continually fluctuating, it is, in his opinion, very desirable that a plan should be adopted which would put the salaries on a satisfactory basis and do away with the necessity of the subject being brought up and reconsidered year after year; and probably Mr. BELL-IRVING'S Suggestion that the demand rate" should be the basis of calenlation, is the best plan, for then in case of exchange advancing, as many think quite possible in the near future, the salaries would still be paid at the current value of the Dollar.
The Chief Justice remarks that by the Civil List Ordinance, 13 of 1860, the salaries of the Officers mentioned therein are given in Sterling which is reckoned at 4/2. On the other hand the Military Contribution, which is also given in Sterling, is reckoned at 3/0, and both these items appear in the present Estimates.
The Sterling is paid to Public Officers at 4/2, but to the War Departinent at 3/0, an anomaly to say the least of it.
After explanation by the Chairman of the several items under this head, the Committee recommend that the amount for this service be voted, but express an opinion in accordance with the Governor's message that some special relief is required in the case of Officers appointed from England in conse- quence of the great fall in exchange.
Military Expenditure, (page 35).
After explanation by the Chairman, the Committee recommend that the amount for this service be voted.
Interest on Loan and Sinking Fund, (page 35).
After explanation by the Chairman, the Committee recommend that the amount for this service be voted.
Extraordinary Expenditure, (page 36).
Mr. LAYTON remarks in reference to the item for " Drainage ou Separate System," that some infor- mation regarding the scheme should be furnished to the public.
The Chairman says that His Excellency the Governor will probably cause Mr. COOPER's exhaustive Report on the subject to be laid before the Legislative Council.
The Committee recommend that the unexpended balance in the Estimates for 1888 of the item *Continuation of Police Buildings Extensions," which appears to have been inadvertently omitted, should be inserted in these Estimates.
After explanations by the Chairman and the Surveyor General, the Committee discuss the various items under this heading, and finally recommend that the several amounts referred to be voted.
All the several items mentioned in the Estimates for 1889, having been thus fully considered, the Committee desire to report, with the foregoing amendments, the Appropriation Bill for 1889,
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Imperial Institute.
The Chairman then asks the Committee to consider the question of a contribution towards the Imperial Institute.
The Committee, Mr. KYRIE dissenting, are in favour of a contribution, and, after deliberation, recommend that consideration of the matter be postponed until it is known what sums other Colonies have contributed.
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Town Band.
The Chairman next asks the Committee to consider the question of a Town Band.
The Captain Superintendent of Police estimates the total cost to be about $1,800 per annuin, The exclusive of instruments which will require an outlay of about $400 in the first instance. $1,800 is to make up the difference between pay us Policemen and Bandemen, as the men will be enrolled as Police Constables, and draw pay as such.
Mr. RYRIE is opposed to having a Town Band, on the ground that it will be a slur on the Military who have always been ready to assist with their Band when necessary.
After some further discussion, Mr. KYRIE dissenting, the Committee are generally of opinion that if a good band could be had the Colony should have one.
The Committee then adjourn sine die.
FREDERICK STEWART,
Chairman,
Laid before the Legislative Council on the 12th November, 1888.
Read and confirmed on the 12th November, 1888.
ARATHOON SETA, Clerk of Councils.