1855-06-04 — Page 1

4th June, 1855.

Present:

His Excellency The Governor

The Honorable The Chief Justice

The Honorable The Acting Attorney General

The Honorable C. B. Hillier, Esqre

The Honorable David Jardine, Esqre

The Council met today by Special Summons.

The Minutes of the last Council were read and approved.

The Governor read a Despatch from the Colonial Office, No. 3 of 2nd April last, stating objections to Ordinance No. 6 of 1854 for the disposal of unclaimed Balances of Intestate Estates; also, the amendments he would suggest for adoption in the Ordinance, in order to meet the objections pointed out by the Secretary of State. These were then considered, and approved; and it was ordered, that the Ordinance as altered should be printed and sent round to Members.

His Excellency made some observations on the prosperous financial State of the Colony, reporting the large surplus Fund in the Colonial Treasury at the close of the Financial year ending 31st March last, and expressing his conviction that the Colony would possess a considerable surplus Revenue. He hoped soon to be able to lay before the Legislative Council Estimates of the Revenue and Expenditure of the Colony for the year 1856; and as he deemed the circumstances of Hongkong demanded the special attention of the Colonial Legislature, he would urge upon the Home Government the desirableness of having the numbers of both official and non-official Members of the Legislative Council increased at an early period. The Chief Justice expressed his concurrence in the suggested increase, and the other Members generally acquiesced.

A Draft Ordinance for the amendment of the Civil Administration of Justice was laid on the Table and ordered to be printed for circulation among the Members of the Council.

Resolved, that this Council be Summoned for Thursday, the 14th Instant, at one o'clock precisely.

(Signed) John Bowring,

Governor.

Read and approved this 14th Day of June, 1855.

(Signed) L. d'Almada e Castro,

Clerk of Councils.