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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 4TH APRIL, 1885.

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His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council, expressing his entire concurrence with the motion, and read the following despatch which he had addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject:-

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, HONGKONG, March 24th, 1885.

My LORD,-I have the honour to report that the telegraphic intelligence of the death of Sir HARRY PARKES on the 22nd instant, of remittent typhoid fever, after three days' illness, has caused much sorrow in Hongkong, where he had formerly resided for several years. This feeling will be general throughout the English communities in China and Japan, with Even which he has been connected as Consul and Minister for above a quarter of a century. those who differed from some parts of Sir HARRY PARKES' policy always admired his many high qualities, his courage, his energy, his unselfish devotion to the public service. To myself he is a great loss. Our relations, both official and personal, have always been most cordial; he deplored that I had been obliged to seek, on medical certificate, the leave of absence which was so kindly granted by your Lordship; and he rejoiced and applauded when I decided, at whatever risk of health and sacrifice of personal convenience, to remain at my post during the present crisis in the affairs of this quarter of the globe. The feeling of Sir He had been for some time in HARRY PARKES on this point was identical with my own. failing health, and he felt severely the weight of work and responsibility pressing upon him, as upon me, at the present juncture. But he declined to listen to the advice given him to seek at least temporary rest and relaxation. Recently he wrote to a friend as follows:- "Where I may fail is in physical health, which warns me that the present strain will have its limits, and that some relief,—even if it be for a short period, will become indispensable. I shall do my best, however, to hold on till the end of this year." His friends knew, and Sir HARRY PARKES himself knew, that his impaired strength would yield altogether to He did so determine, any severe attack of illness, if he should determine to remain at Peking. and thus this able and gallant servant of his Queen and country has died by the most envi- able of all deaths, at the post of honour and duty.

Question-put and passed.

I have, &c.,

G. F. BOWEN.

BILL READ A SECOND TIME.-On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the Bill entitled The Married Women's Disposition of Property Ordinance, 1885, was read a second time.

PRIVATE BILL.-FIRST READING.-On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, A Bill for the Incorporation of the Roman Catholic Vicar Apostolic of Hongkong, was read a first time.

A BILL ENTITLED THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE Ordinance, 1885, IN COMMITTEE.--On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the Council resumed consideration, in Committee, of the Bill entitled The Bills of Exchange Ordinance, 1885.

Progress reported at clause 82.

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Council adjourned until Wednesday, the 1st proximo,

at 4 P.M.

G. F. BOWEN, Governor.

Read and confirmed, this 1st day of April, 1885.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.-No. 139.

His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to grant to HENRY GEORGE THOMSETT, Esquire, R.N., Harbour Master, Marine Magistrate, Emigration and Cus- toms Officer, and Superintendent of the Gunpowder Depôt, twelve inonths' leave of absence, viz., four months' vacation leave, and eight months' leave on half salary.

Consequent on Mr. THOMSETT's departure on leave, His Excellency, with the advice aforesaid, has been pleased to appoint, temporarily, ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY, Esquire, R.N., (Assistant Harbour Master), to be Acting Harbour Master, Marine Magistrate, Emigration and Customs Officer, Superintendent of the Gunpowder Depôt.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 1st April, 1885.

and

W. H. MARSII,

Colonial Secretary.