15093-1910-Minutes-No-7 — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, JULY 15, 1910.

PAPERS.The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the following papers :~~

Draft Appropriation Account for the year 1909. Report of the Registrar General for the year 1909. Report of the Harbour Master for the year 1909.

Reports of the Captain Superintendent of Police and of the Superintendent of Fire

Brigade for the year 1909.

REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. The Director of Public Works laid on the table the Report of the Public Works Committee dated the 19th May, 1910.

RESOLUTION.—Mr. STEWART, pursuant to notice, addressed the Council and moved the following Resolution :---

That, before putting up to auction the plot of Crown Land situated to the North of the New Law Courts, the Government shall refer the proposed conditions of sale to this Council.

Mr. WEI YUK seconded.

His Excellency the Officer Administering the Goverment, Mr. HEWETT and Mr. STEWART addressed the Council.

The Resolution was then put to the vote and declared lost, ten Members voting against and two-Mr. STEWART and Mr. WEI YUK-for the Resolution.

Dr. Ha ha did not vote.

QUESTIONS.-Mr. OSBORNE, pursuant to notice, asked the following Questions:-

1. (a.) Whether a contract for the new typhoon breakwater has been let, and if so,

what is the contract date for completion of the work?

(b.) If a contract has not been let, what is the cause of delay in doing so? (c.) On what date did the Home Authorities finally approve the plans of the

breakurater?

2. Will the Government cause part of the foreshore at the Eastern and Western extremities of the town to be reserved and made suitable as public bathing places?

The Director of Public Works replied.

QUESTIONS.--Mr. STEWART, pursuant to notice, asked the following Question:-

(.) Is it the case that on the 9th May the wife of the lately deceased Assistant Magistrate of the Sun On District, on her way through to Tientsin with his body, was committed to prison in this Colony, for seven weeks, for having in her possession a small quantity of opium dross, some anti-opium pills and a little raw opium, value, all told, about $30?

(ii) Is it the case that His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, recognising the hardship created in this instance by the operation of the Opium Ordinance, quashed the sentence?

(iii) Will the Government consider the advisability of so amending the Opium Ordinance as to provide magisterial discretionary powers or other means whereby bonâ fide travellers through the Colony, having in their possession a little opium for private use, may escape penalties intended for felonious smuggling?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL.--The Colonial Secretary moved the First read- ing of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Three hundred and fourteen thousand five hundred and thirty-three Dollars and thirty- two Cents, to defray the Charges of the Year 1909.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

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