558240-1928-Minutes--No-16-of-1927 — Page 2

THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, FEBRUARY 24, 1928.

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The Honourable Mr. ROLAND ARTHUR CHARLES NORTH, (Secretary for Chinese Affairs).

Sir SHOUSON CHOW, Kt.

Mr. ROBERT HORMUS KOTEWALI, C.M.G., LL.D.

Mr. ARTHUR CECIL HYNES.

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Mr. JOHN OWEN HUGHES,

Mr. WILLIAM EDWARD LEONARD SHENTON.

Mr. ERIC WILLIAM HAMILTON, (Deputy Clerk of Councils).

ABSENT:

Mr. HENRY THOMAS JACKMAN, (Director of Public Works). Mr. DALLAS GERALD MERCER BERNARD,

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1. The Council met pursuant to adjournment. His Excellency the Governor

occupied the Chair.

MINUTES.

2. The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 22nd December, 1927, were confirmed.

PAPERS.

3. The following papers were laid on the table :-

Rescission of the Order made by the Governor in Council under the Merchant

Shipping Ordinance, 1899, on 23rd December, 1927.

Regulations made by the General Officer Commanding the Troops, with the approval of the Governor, under and in accordance with the provisions of section 11 of the Volunteer Ordinance, 1920, on 22nd December, 1927.

REPORTS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,

4. The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the Reports of the Finance Committee (Nos. 17 and 18), dated the 22nd December, 1927, and 30th December, 1927, respectively, and moved their adoption.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question--put and agreed to.

QUESTIONS.

5. The Hon. Mr. W. E. L. SHENTON, pursuant to notice, asked the following ques-

tions:

(1) Have the Government, on behalf of the Colony of Hong Kong, recently received a gift of a valuable collection of pictures and prints of Hong Kong and the Far East, in accordance with the wishes of the late Sir Catchick Paul Chater, and by the generosity of the Armenian Holy Church of Nazareth at Calcutta?

(2) If yes, what steps are the Government taking to preserve the collec- tion for the Colony of Hong Kong, where will the same be housed, and on what conditions, pending the provision of a permanent repository for the same?

(3) Have the Government a scheme for a permanent repository?

The Colonial Secretary replied as follows:-

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The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The collection com- prises paintings and prints to the total of 437, all of great interest to the Colony and many of historical value,