386 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 7TH SEPTEMBER, 1872.
December last, he was authorized to devote a portion of the Fund to an endowment of the Chinese Hospital. The grant made by the Governor of $100,000 was in accordance with his instructions, and has met with the subsequent approval of the Secretary of State.
66
Regarding the remainder of the Fund, it was directed to be applied to meet the expenses 'caused by the increased Police Force, or other purposes directly connected with the prevention ' of Crime.' And when the immediate expenses connected with the augmentation of the Police Force had been provided for, it was ordered that the residue should be invested so as to produce an Annual Sum applicable to the purposes indicated.
"The Half-yearly Statements of the Special Fund Account now before the Council exhibit the Payments which have been made, and except as regards Two items of a very late date, there has been no Expenditure unsanctioned by the Secretary of State.
"The amount invested is $420,000.”
The Honorable JAMES WHITTALL, in pursuance of notice, asks His Excellency-"Under what circumstances it came about, that the Plans of the Hongkong Pier Company, Limited, were signed by SIR RICHARD GRAVES MACDONNELL, when so opposed to the recommendations of the Special Committee appointed to report on the matter, and in accordance with which Report it was understood the Council entirely concurred in passing the Ordinance sanctioning the formation of the Pier."
His Excellency replies:-"Without reference to SIR RICHARD MACDONNELL, it is impossible to state,
with any degree of
accuracy, the circumstances under which the Plans of the Pier Company were signed. The Records contain no details on the subject; but from enquiries instituted, there is reason to believe that the approval of the Executive Council was given under a misapprehension. Being of opinion, however, that the openings in the Pier were insufficient. as to width, the Company were communicated with after the Plan had been signed, in order that, if possible, an alteration in accordance with the understood recommendation of the Committee of the Legislative Council might be effected. They agreed, after much corre- spondence, to make the outer opening of 36 feet in width; and, under legal advice, the Government felt bound, after what had occurred, to place no further obstacles to the progress of the Works.”
Whereupon, the Honorable JAMES WHITTALL begs that leave be given him to introduce a Bill
** to amend Ordinance No. 11 of 1871."
The Honorable the Acting Colonial Secretary, by Command of His Excellency, submits a Statement of the Expenditure incurred by the Police Commission in Advertising, Printing, and other Petty Expenses, amounting to $205.28; as also a Memorandum from Governor SIR RICHARD MACDONNELL, of the 9th April, 1872, recording his willingness to sanction an Honorariumn of $500 to Mr. LISTER, the Secretary of the Commission.
The Acting Colonial Secretary then reads a Letter, of the 3rd January, 1872, from Mr. STEWART, Inspector of Government Schools, representing the great necessity which exists for a new School House at Wanchai, and states that Tenders having been invited for the erection of a Building affording the requisite accommodation, the lowest Tender received amounted to $3,770.
His Excellency then moves that the following Items be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for
1872:-
Police Commission.
Advertising, Printing, and other Petty Expenses, Remuncration to the Secretary,.
205.28. 500.
Works and Buildings.
Erection of a new School House at Wanchai,..
Question put, and carried.
$3,770.
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill for 1871, is read a second time, and the Council goes into
Committee upon the Supplementary Estimates for the said year.
The following Votes are agreed to:-
T
Surveyor General's Department,
Educational Department,
Medical
Works and Buildings,.
Do.,
Roads, Streets and Bridges,
Miscellaneous Services,
Land and Houses Purchased,
+
$ 2,223.88
187.01 7,932.55
38,775.45
32,717.13
15,052.00
1,354.47
Total,.....
...$98,242.49
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