1861-03-23 — Page 1

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISALTIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 2 OF 1861

SATURDAY, 23RDMARCH, 1861.

PRESENT :

His Excellency The GOVERNOR and all the Members, except the Chief Justice, who was absent on account of illness, and Mr. Fletcher, absent at Canton.

The Council met to-day by Special Summons.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on the 23rd February last, were read and approved. The Bill to amend the "Probates" Ordinance No. 8 of 1860, was read a second time; - And the Council went into Committee upon the said Bill.

Sections 1 to 3 inclusive, agreed to.

Preamble agreed to.

The Bill having gone through Committee, the Governor put the Question, - That this Bill do pass, and that the Title be - "An Ordinance for amending Ordinance No. 8 of 1860."

Question put and carried - the Ordinance being numbered - "No.1 of 1861." His Excellency brought to the notice of the Council a Scheme prepared by Dr. Legge for a better system of Chinese Education in Hongkong by the establishment of a Central School in Victoria, instead of that now existing of detached Schools throughout the City. It had been recommended by the Board of Education, and had received the approval of the Governor; but as there was no eligible site at the disposal of the Government for carrying out the proposed measure, it was suggested to purchase Inland Lot No. 78, in Gough Street, which was reported by the Surveyor General as suited for the object in view, and which might be obtained with the Buildings thereon for a sum not exceeding $2???,5???, - A portion of the site might be made available for a Girl's School now temporarily established in the Albany, and for other purposes of education. - The Council concurred in the expediency of securing at once the ground and buildings reported available, and agreed to vote the outlay necessary for the purchase of the premises, and the erection of the additional buildings repaired in the Supplementary Estimates for the current year. Whilst on this subject, His Excellency took occasion to lay before the Council the Sketch of a Scheme for the creation of a limited number of Cadets in the Colony to be selected by completion from one or more Colleges at home approved by the Secretary of State. These gentlemen, he suggested, should be quartered in apartments attached to the proposed Central School House, and placed under direct supervision of the School Master. - The Council entirely approved of His Excellency's Scheme, and agreed to vote the Expenditure when called for.

His Excellency informed the Council that he had secured the Services of Mr. Rawling as Superintendent of the projected Water Works.

The Council adjourned sine die.

HERCULES G. R. ROBINSON,

Governor.

Read and approved, this 14th Day of June, 1861.

L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,

Clerk of Councils.