653974-1891-Legislative-Council-No-20-26th-October — Page 2

970 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH NOVEMBER, 1891.

VOTES PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 19th October, (No. 10), and moved that the following Votes referred to therein. be passed, viz.:-

C.S.O.

2202 of 1891,

C.S.0.

2016 & 2292 of 1891.

C.S.O.

1605 of 1801.

C.O. Desp.

206 of 1801.

A sum of Fifty thousand Dollars, being Government share for the Praya Re-

clamation, ....

A sum of Seven thousand Six hundred Dollars, for the Construction of Quarters

for the Superintendent, Botanical and Afforestation Department,

.$50,000.00

..$ 7,600.00

A sum of Two hundred and Forty Dollars, for Conveyance Allowance to the

Superintendent, and First Clerk of the Imports and Exports Office,

A sun of Two hundred and Eighty-eight Dollars, to cover the increase to the

Salary of the First Clerk and Accountant in the Police Department,

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Votes passed.

The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD asked the following questions:-

$

240.00

288.00

(1.) In view of the statement, made by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, at the last Meeting of Council, to the effect that further delay in the matter of the proposed New Central Market involves large and continual loss to the Revenue such delay must certainly be avoided, will the Government lay upon the table a report shewing the amount of work done to the said proposed New Market since 17th August last to 30th September, 1891, and its present condition, and inform the Council-

(1) If plans and designs for the proposed New Central Market have been decided

upon;

(2) If so, which have been selected-whether those of the Honourable the Surveyor General which were disapproved of by Sir Wm. Des Vœux, or those of the professional Architect (Mr. H. W. Wills) sent out from England to Hong- kong at the request of this Government by the Crown Agents, prepared by him at the special request of Sir Wm. Des Vœux ;

(3) Has Chang Kee's tender referred to in the Resolution of the Honourable J. J. Keswick of 21st July last, or the tender of any other contractor for the superstructure or building of the proposed New Central Market over the foundations been, accepted;

(4) If so, what is the amount of the tender accepted; and

(5) Whether the plans and detailed statements have been prepared for the whole building complete in every respect, or whether the objectionable system has again been followed of preparing plans, etc., for only a part or portion and leaving the additional aggregate cost a totally unknown quantity.

(2.) Will the Government lay on the table a complete statement or return of the amount of monies expended to 30th September, 1891, and the sums then due although not expended-

(1) In the purchase of the site for the proposed New Central Market;

(2) In the preparation of the ground and foundations ; and

(3) Of all other expenditure including the cost of bringing out from London to Hongkong and the salary of the Architect ( Mr. H. W. Wills), the return to shew the dates of disbursements and the loss in interest to the Rate-payers on the respective amounts to 30th ultimo, also an estimate of the total monies still required to complete the work, and the probable date of completion.

(3.) With reference to the statement of the Honourable the Surveyor General at a meeting of the Finance Committee on the 11th December, 1890, to the effect that the Civil Hospital Staff Quarters or the residence for the Assistant Surgeon, Apothecary, Nursing Staff and others connected with the hospital, though being built on a larger scale than is perhaps necessary, but then (about ten months ago) nearly completed, will the Government lay on the table a statement or return shewing when the building was completed; if not yet completed, why not; if not completed, the probable date when it will be ready for occupation; the total amount of monies expended to 30th September, 1891, and the sums then due although not actually paid ----

(1) In the purchase of the site for the building;

(2) In the preparation of the ground and foundations; and

(3) Of all other expenditure in connection with the building;

also an estimate of the total monies still required, if any, to complete the work.