660487-1888-Legislative-Council-No-6-of-3rd-February-1888 — Page 2

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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH FEBRUARY, 1888.

It is proposed therefore that for the future the meetings of the Finance Committee shall, as a rule, be held with open doors, and that all votes be passed in public, it being however competent for any member, either by previous notice or otherwise, to secure a private discus- sion of such vote or votes as may appear to him to require it. As the principal reasons for or against every vote can under such a system always be elicited in the public hearing, either in the Finance Committee or in the Legislative Council, it is hoped that all reasonable de- mands for publicity will thus be satisfied.

On the other hand in the event, which the Governor does not deem probable, of the new practice proving by experience to have inconveniences which outweigh its obvious advan- tages, it will not be found difficult to return to that which has been hitherto followed.

Government House, Hongkong, 3rd February, 1888.

SUBSIDIARY COINS.--- Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice made the following motion and addressed the Council:-

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That in consequence of the frequent inconvenience caused to the Public owing to the insuffi- ciency of the supply of Small Coins, the Council recommend increased quantities to be regularly sent out. Mr. MacEwen will also move for previous correspondence on the subject.

Mr. RYRIE seconded, and addressed the Council.

The Treasurer addressed the Council.

The Governor addressed the Council.

At the suggestion of the Governor, the Colonial Secretary moved that the Council resolve itself into Committee in order to give greater scope for discussion of the question.

The Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and passed.

Discussion ensued in Committee, and His Excellency stated that he would give the subject early consideration and lay it before the Secretary of State.

The Council then resumed and proceeded with the other business of the day.

BILL ENTITLED THE VACCINATION ORDINANCE, 1888.-The Attorney General moved, and the Colonial Secretary seconded, the first reading of this Bill.

Question--put and passed.

Bill read a first time.

The Attorney General then moved, and the Colonial Secretary seconded, that the Standing Orders be suspended and the Bill be read a second time.

Question-put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

The Council then went into Committee on the Bill.

Bill reported with amendments.

The Attorney General then moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question-put and passed.

Bill read a third time.

Question put--that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance 1 of 1888.

BILL ENTITLED THE DEFENCES SKETCHING PREVENTION ORDINANCE, 1888.-The Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

The Council then went into Committee on the Bill.

Bill reported without amendment.

The Attorney General then moved the third reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question--put and passed.

Bill read a third time.

Question put-that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed, and numbered as Ordinance 2 of 1888.