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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 17TH NOVEMBER, 1877.
The Hon. J. M. PRICE, Surveyor General, then rises and says:--The difference which has existed between my own designs and those of Sir JOHN COODE are due perhaps to a misunderstanding on his part, of course, I speak with due deference to so high an authority on marine engineering, but he has conceived the opinion that the sea wall is exposed to the full force of the open sea. I have had to study economy and efficiency combined; he has looked only to efficiency, not conceiving the works are to be carried out in a land-locked harbour like that of Victoria. I have always had the opinion that the plan submitted by myself was fully sufficient to withstand the seas of typhoons, and the proof is that a few sectious I built in 1874, and which the Commission that inquired into the matter saw, have proved fully efficient. There they stand, and similar works by my predecessor also stood the typhoon of 1874. Therefore, I do not see that our design can be improved upon, and I have no doubt, when this information reaches the Secretary of State for the Colonies, His Lordship will give his consent to the design as amended.
The Hon. H. Lowcock thanks His Excellency and the Surveyor General for the explanations.
His Excellency lays on the table Despatch No. 82 of 6th July, 1877, from the Right Honourable the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, enclosing the Draft of a Bill "to relieve a certain class "of Passenger Steamers from the Regulations of Schedule A of the Chinese Passenger Act, 1855, and from "the Regulations of Schedule E of the Chinese Emigration Consolidation Ordinance of 1874, and to "substitute other Regulations in regard thereto," and proposes the first reading of the same.
The Bill is then read a first time.
The Acting Colonial Secretary reports that the Finance Committee passed the following Votes:
PAYMENTS AUTHORISED IN EXCESS OF THE ESTIMATES
OF 1877, REQUIRING LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY.
ESTABLISHMENTS:—
Surveyor General.
Chair Allowances to 3 Inspectors of Nuisances for 5 months, during the hot
-season, at $12 each per month,
Educational.
Temporary Salary for an Acting 3rd Master, during Mr. GAIR's absence on
sick leave, 4 months at $80 per month,
SERVICES EXCLUSIVE OF ESTABLISHMENTS :-
Works and Buildings.
Addition to Police Station No. 7, (West Point), .
Miscellaneous Services.
Additional Gas Lights in certain Streets,
Subscription to Reuter's Political Telegrams, for 3 months further, (from the
26th August),
180.00
$320.00
$400.00
$280.00
600.00
$880.00
His Excellency adjourns the Council sine die at 4.30 P.M.
Read and confirmed, this 12th day of November, 1877.
J. M. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Acting Clerk of Councils.
J. POPE HENNESSY,
Governor.
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