THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 18TH NOVEMBER, 1871.
499
clearly my duty to lay it before-them, and to invite them to take steps, if not to vindicate their own rights and those of the public, at least, to get them vindicated and protected by higher authority.
9. There is nothing so essential to the well-being of the Council, and to its utility, than perfect freedom of speech, and freedom of speech becomes a nullity, if it is to be so circum- scribed that a question may not be asked about the duties of the different Departments of the Governinent without danger of receiving such a letter as that of the 25th September last, from the Honorable the Colonial Secretary to myself.
10. If such questions may not be asked, the rights and powers recently conferred on the Un-official Members of the Council of controlling by their votes the local expenditure, are rendered nugatory. The power to vote or withhold the monies required for the Public Service of the Colony is valueless, if not accompanied by the right to inquire into the working of every Department of the Government, of the duties allotted to each, the mode of performance, and the necessity or otherwise for the continued existence of the Office.
In conclusion I request that this Statement may be laid on the Council table and recorded in the Minutes, and I am still of opinion that the question of privilege involved ought to be debated.
Hongkong, 31st October, 1871.
(Signed,)
P. RYRIE.
The Hongkong Pier and Godown Company Bill is read a second time. On going into Committee for the consideration of this Bill, it is moved by the Honorable the Acting Treasurer, seconded by the Honorable the Chief Justice, and unanimously agreed to-that a Special Committee be appointed to examine into this Bill, and report thereon to the Council.
It is then moved by the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, and seconded by the Honorable RICHARD ROWETT, that such Committee do consist of Six Members of this Council, Three Official, and Three Un-official.
Question put and carried.
Whereupon, His Excellency names the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, the Honorable the Acting Attorney General, the Honorable the Acting Treasurer, the Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE, the Honorable WILLIAM KESWICK, and the Honorable RICHARD ROWETT to be Members of the Committee.
The Bill to amend the Civil Courts Jurisdiction Ordinance, No. 2 of 1851, is read a second time, amended
in Committee, and passed,-bearing the Title of "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to amend' An Ordinance to regulate. the Jurisdiction of the Civil Courts of the Colony of Hongkong in certain Cases,' ”—being “No. 10 of 1871."
Read a first time, a Bill to further amend the Summary Jurisdiction Ordinance, No. 6 of 1862.
The Honorabie the Acting Attorney General, by direction of His Excellency, explains the grounds and reasons upon which the Bill is founded.
Read a first time a Bill for the more effectual Prevention of Crime.
The Acting Attorney General, by direction of His Excellency, explains the grounds and reasons upon which the Bill is founded.
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency, submits for the consideration
of the Council the following votes to be placed on the Supplementary Estimates for 1871,- which are agreed to:-
(1.) Victoria Gaol.
New Roof to Wash-House, and a Medical Examination Room, $592.00
(2.) Surveyor General's Department.
Office Contingencies,....
His Excellency adjourns the Council at a quarter to 4 o'clock. :
Read, and confirmed, this 16th Day of November, 1871.
L. »'ALMADA È CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.
100.00
HENRY WASE WHITFEILD, Major-General, and Lieutenant-Governor.
THE
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