HIS EXCELLENCY MAKES A FURTHER EXPLANATION.
His EXCELLENCY—Before the Council adjourns there is a matter I wish to mention with regard to the question of Beaconsfield. The Hon. Mr. Whitehead made some observation and put a question to me for my ruling as to one of the honourable members, the Hon. Mr. Belilios, having voted at the Finance Committee meeting in a matter in which he was interested. It goes without saying, and I have no hesitation in saying, that a member ought not to vote on any question in which he has a financial interest. I do not know whether Mr. Belilios had actually a financial interest in this matter, because he had been paid the money, and whether the Council approved or not he had no other interest in the proceedings. I believe from the Colonial Secretary, who has spoken to me upon this matter, that the vote which was before the Finance Committee included various items upon which the honourable gentleman would be perfectly justified in voting. (The Hon. E. R. BELILIOS: Hear, hear.) There is only one other matter which struck me at the moment the Hon. Mr. Whitehead was speaking, and it was a matter which in my explanation of my own action as regarded "Beaconsfield" I overlooked. I think the honourable gentleman made use of the word "smuggled," a word which I am sure on consideration he will regret having made use of. When this official minute came before me it had been signed by the Colonial Secretary and the Colonial Treasurer and I signed it as a matter of course. I am quite sure neither the Colonial Treasurer nor the Colonial Secretary would smuggle either this or any matter before the Finance Committee or the Council. I was rather anxious I should have the opportunity of informing the Council how this matter stood. A great many observations had been made, and it was well that some time or other my own reasons for the action I had taken should be stated in the only place in which they could be stated—in this Council Chamber. The Council will now adjourn until Wednesday next at three o'clock, when I hope to lay the estimates on the table.
The Council then adjourned.
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HIS EXCELLENCY MAKES A FURTHER EXPLANATION.
His EXCELLENCY--Before the Council adjourns there is A matter I wish to mention with regard to the question of Bea- corsfield. The Hon. Mr. Whitehead made some observation and put a question to me for my ruling as to one of the honourable members, the Hon. Mr. Belilios, baving voted at the Finance Committee meeting in a matter in which he was interested. It goes without saying, and I have no hesitation in saying, that a member ought not to vote on any question in which he has a financial interest. I do not know whether Mr. Belilios had actually a financial interest in this matter, because he had been paid the money, and whether the Council approved or not he had no other interest the in the proceedings. I believe from Colonial Secretary, who has spoken to mo upon this matter, that the vote which was before the Finance Committee incinded various items upon which the honourable gentleman would be perfectly justified in voting. (The Hon. E. R. BELILIOS: Hear, hear.) There is only one other matter which struck me at the moment the Hon. Mr. Whitehead was speaking, and it was a malter which in my explanation of my own action as regarded "Beaconsfield" I overlooked. I think the honourable gentleman made use of the word "smuggled," a word which I am sure on consideration he will regret having made use of. When this official miante came before me had been signed by the Colonial Secretary and the Colonial Treasurer and I signed it as a matter of course. I am quite sure neither the Colonial Treasurer nor the Colonial Secretary would smuggle either this or any watter before the Finance Commit- tee or the Council. I was rather anxious I should have the opportunity of informing the Council how this matter stood. A great many observations had been made, and it was well that some time or other my own reasons for the action I had taken should be stated in the only place in which they could be stated-in this Council Chamber. The Connoil will now ad- journ until Wednesday next at three o'clock, when I hope to lay the estimates on the table.
The Conseil then adjourned.
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