1893-12-13 — Page 1

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13TH DECEMBER, 1893.

PRESENT:―

MINUTES.

His Excellency the Governor, Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.

Hon. G. T. M. O'BRIEN, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary.

Hon. W. M. GOODMAN, Attorney-General. Hon. A. M. THOMSON, Acting Registrar General.

Hon. N. G. MITCHELL-INNES, Colonial Treasurer.

Hon. R. M. RUMSEY, R.N., Harbour Master. Hon. E. BOWDLER.

Hon. C. P. CHATER.

Hon. HO KAI.

Hon. J. J. KESWICK.

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS.

Mr. A. Seth, Clerk of Councils.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.

His EXCELLENCY―Before proceeding to the orders of the day it is necessary to appoint the usual Committees under section 48 of the standing rules and orders. The first is the Finance Committee, which as usual will consist of the Colonial Secretary (as Chairman) and all the other members of Council except the Governor. Law Committee―The Attorney General (Chairman), the Registrar General, Mr. J. J. Keswick, Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. E. R. Belilios. Public Works Committee―The Director of Public Works (Chairman), the Colonial Treasurer, Mr. C. P. Chater, Mr. T. H. Whitehead, and Mr. E. R. Belilios.

THE APPROPRIATION BILL, 1894.

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and His Excellency went as far as he could to meet the

The COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to move the second reading of the Bill entitled an Ordinance to apply a sum not exceeding $2,347,245 to the public service for the year 1894

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.

Bill read a second time.

The Bill was then referred to the Finance Committee. THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL 1892.

The COLONIAL TREASURER―I have the honour to bring up for second reading an Ordinance to authorise the appropriation of a supplementary sum of $235,111.93 to defray the charges of the year 1892.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.

Bill read a second time.

The Bill was then referred to the Finance Committee. ADJOURNMENT.

HIS EXCELLENCY―Gentlemen, I am not able to name the day for our next meeting, but when the Finance Committee have passed these two Bills due notice will be given. ———

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was held immediately after the adjournment of Council, the Colonial Secretary presiding.

THE RETRENCHMENT COMMISSION.

The CHAIRMAN―The first business before us to-day is the Supply Bill, 1894, I propose to take the items one by one as they appear and to move that they be agreed to subject to any alteration that may be deemed necessary. If any member wishes, before I do so, to put any questions with a view to eliciting any information of a general character, or has any remarks to make of a general nature with regard to the estimates, it would be convenient that he should take this opportunity of doing so.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―At the last meeting of Council you said, sir, that you would be pleased to give us any information we needed before we proceeded to consider this Bill in Committee. I should like very much to know the present position in regard to the Retrenchment Commission, whether it has been definitely shelved, or whether steps are being taken at the present moment to appoint a Commission. I quite agree with you, sir, that the work of retrenchment is a matter of time, but still it appears to me that the sooner the Government settles this question of a Retrenchment Committee the better for the Government and the Colony.

The CHAIRMAN ―As regards the question of the appointment of a retrenchment Committee the matter stands as follows. As you are aware the Governor appointed a Committee, and exception having been taken to its composition he altered its constitution. Further exception was taken, not only a second but a third time,

objections which had been raised, but what he was able to do did not satisfy the objector. From the correspondence published by the objector, the hon. member who represents the Chamber of Commerce, hon. members will be aware that the Governor has referred all the papers, including the letters published by Mr, Whitehead, to the Secretary of State. 1t, therefore, goes without saying that the question of appointing a Retrenchment Committee is not shelved. It is not open for me to say, nor, indeed, am 1 in a position to say, what view the Secretary of State may take of the question as it now stands under its altered conditions, but I have His Excellency's authority for stating that he has recommended that a Retrenchment Committee should be appointed; and I may say on my own behalf as well as on that of the Governor that nobody would be more pleased than His Excellency and myself if a Retrenchment Commission were appointed at the earliest possible moment. Does that give you the information you want?

Hon. C. P. CHATER―I am much obliged, sir, for the information you have given us, but I may say that most of it is what we have been in possession of already from the correspondence in the papers. But what I particularly want to know is as to how the matter stands since the correspondence was published. We know that the matter has been referred to the Secretary of State―has any reply been received, or have any further steps been taken with regard to the appointment of a Commission?

The CHAIRMAN―No reply has been received from the Secretary of State and consequently no further steps have been taken, but the matter is under the consideration of the Secretary of State and there is no reason to believe that it has escaped his attention. In the case of formal despatches, when we may suppose that the matter may have escaped the notice of the Secretary of State, after a certain time has elapsed it is usual for the Governor to call the attention of the Secretary of State. This has not been done in this case. The delay on the part of the Secretary of State―if we may call it delay―cannot have arisen from his overlooking the matter, but doubtless the reason is his desire to give full consideration to all the circumstances before he gives his decision.

THE QUESTION OF THE DOLLAR.

The CHAIRMAN―If no hon. member has any further questions of a general character to put we can now proceed. I think, to the various items in the Bill before us. The first is $177,026 for charge on account of Public Debt. I move that this item stand part of the Bill.

The COLONIAL TREASURER seconded.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―I should like to make a few remarks before this item is passed. I find that the interest payable on public debt is calculated at the rate of 2/6. With all due deference to the opinions received by you, sir, I

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think the right course to pursue in a matter like this is to take at all events the current rate of the day if not an easier rate―that is to say, one more against you than the current rate, as is done in the making up of balance sheets and as bankers and merchants generally do. In your statement the other day when introducing this Bill you said that 2/6 was taken as a convenient rate. I see very clearly that it is a convenient rate, because if the Government had not taken it at 2/6 but at the rate of the day, there would be a deficit instead of having a balance of revenue over expenditure of about $8,500. No doubt, therefore, it is a convenient rate, but what I would like to know is whether it was the right thing to do under the circumstances, whether it was right to estimate on a rate far above the current rate of the day. In doing what you have done you are trying a problematical rate. Is that the right course? I do not think it is the right course to pursue. I think the rate should be nearer 2s. 3 12 d. than 2s. 6d.

The CHAIRMAN―I may mention with regard to this question of exchange that I was misreported in the remarks I made in introducing the Bill. I think the proceedings in Finance Committee are private―that is, not published in extenso?

Hon. Members―No. they are public.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY ―The I may take this opportunity of explaining. I wrote to the Daily Press on the following morning and they published a correction, but I may take this opportunity of making it a little more generally known. I was reported to have said that I had consulted some of the best authorities in England and could not find one who did not think an increase might be anticipated next year in the rate of exchange, and that the average, by which the average of their anticipations was probably meant, was a rate of 2/7 to the dollar. That was not what I said. What I said was that I had consulted some of the best authorities in England and that I had not succeeded in finding one who would undertake to predict the curve of exchange with any confidence in the coming year. That was what I intended to say, and I think it is probable that I did say it, because it is in accordance with fact, and I could hardly have made the statement I was reported to have made. However, the Government is bound to adopt some rate in the estimates and it has adopted the rate of 2/6 because, as I said in introducing the Bill, it is not only a convenient rate but also a reasonable rate. There are circumstances that render it probable that the rate of exchange may improve during the coming year. The hon. member has spoken of it as a problematical rate. Certainly it is, but the misfortune is that any rate we take must be problematical. One rate is equally problematic as another. Take the rate of to-day, who is to say that that is going to be the average rate for the coming year? The Government has decided that on the whole the best course will be to adopt the rate of 2s. 6d. I need hardly say that the fixing of the rate at one point or another will not affect the expenditure. Whatever rate may be taken, the same

payment will have in the end to be made, and, therefore, it is not a question of incurring additional expenditure or of saving any additional expenditure. The position is merely that, seeing it is necessary to take a rate that is necessarily problematical the Government has decided that 2s. 6d. is the best as well as the most convenient to take in the circumstances.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―I regret, sir, that I do not agree with you that 2s. 6d. is a reasonable rate, when the current rate of exchange is 2s. 3 34 d. and very likely before the end of the year will be 2s. 3 12 d. I also differ with you in your remark on the problematical rate. Certainly it is problematical, but if you take 2s. 3 12 d. it is truer. The nearer you get to the current rate the truer it is.

The CHAIRMAN―That entirely depends. I cannot see that by taking the rate which happens to rule to-day we should be taking what you call the true rate, any more than, on the other hand, by taking the rate which on the whole may be considered most probable to be the true rate when the time for making the payment arrives.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―What I suggest is, that we should pursue the same course as all bankers and merchants, who take the current rate of the day, that is to say, suppose you were to liquidate, how would you stand? Suppose you liquidated to-day, you could not do it at 2s. 6d. I do not suppose any auditor would pass a rate like that when the rate is nearly 3d. below it. It makes very little difference, as you say, at the end of the year. We shall merely have to do as we did at the end of last year, allow a much larger sum for the depreciation of the dollar.

The CHAIRMAN―Let us hope not; but it is no question for an auditor. Were this a question of expenditure and account the auditor would come in, as he sometimes does very usefully, but he has no place in the estimates.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―I mean that no public auditor would pass a statement like that put before us.

The CHAIRMAN―The statement before us is simply that the Government thinks it probable that the average rate of exchange during 1894 will be 2s. 6d. I can hardly conceive that an auditor would consider such a statement to be a statement that he could even be called upon to pass or not pass. It is not a statement of liabilities; it is an estimate of what we shall have to spend.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―However, sir, at the end of the year doubtless we shall have to do as we did last year. We took the rate then a great deal too high, as was pointed out by the hon. member for the Chamber of Commerce.

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The CHAIRMAN―That does not affect the expenditure. We have not paid one dollar more on account of the calculation that was then made being incorrect.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―I think a very considerable sum.

The CHAIRMAN ― We have only paid what we necessarily had to pay, and should have had to pay whatever rate of exchange had been estimated.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―Considerably more than the estimate.

The HARBOUR MASTER―I am afraid a great many persons made mistakes in their calculations last year.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―And therefore we ought to be more careful in making our estimate this year.

The vote was then put and agreed to.

THE TREASURY DEFALCATIONS.

Upon a vote of $10,000 for the Audit Department,

Hon. C. P. CHATER―Before this vote is passed I should like to know whether since the Treasury frauds any fresh regulations have been given to this department, so as to prevent a recurrence of these grave irregularities.

The CHAIRMAN―No instructions have been issued as far as I am aware to the auditor since the discovery of the frauds in the Treasury, which you will remember were discovered by him. The issuing of orders to the Local Auditor rests with the Comptroller and Auditor-General at home, but I should probably be aware if he had issued any instructions to the Local Auditor in regard to his system of auditing. I am aware that instructions have been issued to the Treasury, which it is hoped may prevent the recurrence of any defalcations in that department.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―Don't you think that although the Auditor discovered these frauds, they were discovered long after they were committed; that some fresh regulations are necessary to see that these audits are not carried on in the manner they have been so as to allow such frauds to be committed and only detected long after they were committed?

The CHAIRMAN―I cannot say that I think it is necessary to issue any fresh regulations for the auditing of accounts. The Auditor failed to detect the defalcations earlier than he actually did for reasons which―it is an unfortunate subject and I need not go into the circumstances afresh in detail― were published in the report and the appendix of the report which has been laid on the table as a sessional paper, and without going into details I may remind you that as far as the Auditor was concerned his failure to make an earlier discovery than he did of the defalcations was due to a weakness of good nature on his part in not reporting to Government the omission on the part of the Treasurer and Acting Treasurer to comply with certain requirements made by him. Now in that he was certainly to blame, and he has been told that he was to blame, The question now

asked is whether any fresh regulations have been laid down for his guidance in the future, or if not, whether I consider that any fresh regulations of the kind should be laid down. I hardly think so. No doubt it will be better if in the future the Auditor is never guilty of what is distinctly a fault on the part of an Auditor, good nature. I do not think that Mr. Nicolle will err in that respect again. The report of the Treasury Commission disclosed certain weak points in the conduct of the accounts in the Treasury. Steps have been taken to remedy these. Instructions have been issued, and to the best of my belief have been carried out, which will prevent the possibility of a recurrence of any similar defalcations.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―Do I understand you to say that as things are now carried out by the Auditor they would prevent any recurrence of these grave irregularities?

The CHAIRMAN―No, that is not exactly what I say. Irregularities may always occur however careful the Auditor may be. The Auditor can only detect irregularities when they have occurred: he cannot prevent their occurring. If they do occur I think that the Auditor will detect them sooner than in the last case, but the prevention of the occurrence of irregularities is not a question of skill on the part of the Auditor, but of precautions and of business-like methods in the Treasury itself. I say that with the precautions taken, and I believe carefully carried out, similar defalcations are very unlikely, in fact as far as I can see, impossible to occur, in the future. If by any accident they should occur the Auditor will probably find them out sooner than before, but no system of audit can prevent irregularities.

Vote agreed to.

THE POST OFFICE.

On a vote for $163,646 for the Post Office,

Hon. HO KAI―I should like to ask how it is that there is an increase of $15,886 in this year's estimate.

The CHAIRMAN―Under the heading "Other Charges" you will see that the increase, within a few dollars, is accounted for by an addition of $3,000 for Colonial share of expenses for Postal Convention, which is merely a matter of exchange, an increase of $2,000 gratuities to shipmasters for carrying mails, an item over which we have no control, and an increase of $10,000 on refund of postage to London, France, Italy, and other countries. This is the Postmaster-General's estimate of what will be required for 1894, and I am afraid it is very likely to prove that he is right.

Hon. HO KAI―It is chiefly a matter of exchange, I understand.

The CHAIRMAN―Only partly. In the $3,000 for the Postal Convention it is entirely so. The two following items fluctuate partly in accordance

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with variations in exchange and partly with regard to the sterling amount that has to be paid. The Postmaster General makes this estimate. I have no personal knowledge of it myself.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―If we have to pay more to other countries surely we should receive more on this side.

The CHAIRMAN―We do not receive anything from the countries named. They carry letters for us, not we for them. I should tell you that if you look at the expenditure in previous years you will see that year after year we have taken supplementary votes for this service. The Post Office expenditure has been continually underestimated. I have very little doubt that we shall have to pay as much as is estimated; if not we shall have a saving.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL―In 1892 a supplementary vote of $25,000 was taken.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―They must have made a very low estimate. However, I suppose the Postmaster-General is the best judge.

Vote agreed to.

COMMANDER HASTINGS' EMOLUMENTS.

Upon the vote of $25,172 for the Magistracy,

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―With reference, sir, to this item I think, if I remember rightly, you stated at the last meeting of Council that a saving of $3,000 odd had been effected under this head.

The CHAIRMAN―$3,684.

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―I see that the item does not appear here.

The CHAIRMAN―It cannot appear. What I said was that the estimates for 1894 show a reduction of some $12,000 on the items of personal emoluments as compared with the estimates for 1892, and that the actual reduction effected by the Governor considerably exceeds that sum because it includes a number of items not shown in the estimates. The present is a case in point; there is a saving, not shown in the estimates, of $3,684 and it is effected in this way, that the work of the second magistrate is now being performed by the Assistant Harbour Master for a remuneration of $1,500. The salary of the second magistrate is $5,184, and the difference between that sum and the $1,500 now being paid is the $3,684 which is saved. I call it a saving, because it was possible that we might have had a second magistrate drawing the whole pay, as was the case when I first came here. Mr. Wise had been acting alone as magistrate, and when Mr. Wodehouse came back he drew the whole of the salary of first Magistrate, while Mr. Wise drew a similar salary as second Magistrate. When the office of second magistrate became vacant by Mr. Wise being appointed Registrar of the Supreme Court, the Governor, instead of recommending that some one should be appointed on the full salary as Mr. Wise had been, recommended that this economy should be effected by the appointment of Commander Hastings. I believe that this arrangement has

given satisfaction in the Police Court, and the saving of the amount I have named has been effected. Whether it will be always possible to maintain that saving I, of course, do not know. The full salary is down on the estimates, and meanwhile it is drawn only to the extent of $1,500.

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS― understand that under a certain regulation of the service a man acting as second magistrate is entitled to receive half of the salary attached to that office, whereas from what you have just said, sir, it would appear that the man only gets $1,500 instead of $2,500.

The CHAIRMAN―It is not often that an unofficial member supports an increase of expenditure; however, you have done so. I do not mind stating that Captain Hastings takes precisely the same view as you do―he thinks that he should have more pay, and he has asked for it. The Governor, on the other hand, thinks that he is fairly well paid for the work which he does in the double appointment which he now holds. Captain Hastings does not take that view and he has memorialised the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of tate in due course will decide the point. There are several objections which I could mention to Captain Hastings receiving what he thinks he should receive. One of them is―I will not mention all―that if he did he would draw considerably more than the head of his department, which, to say the least of it, would be decidedly anomalous. The Governor thought it right to take advantage of the opportunity to effect a considerable saving on the expenditure.

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―I do not like to be misunderstood. Anxious as I am to retrench as much as is possible. I do not like to see any rule broken, because that would give rise to discontent in the service.

The CHAIRMAN―I can remove that misapprehension. There is no such rule, sir. The rule is, not that an officer shall receive half the salary, but that he may. I may say that I myself have frequently done the work of other officers not only without receiving half the pay but without having been paid anything at all. (Laughter).

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―I understood that the rule existed under the heading of "Amended copy of Section 108 of Colonial Regulations."

The CHAIRMAN―Will you read it?

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―Under that rule it says, "And if the person so appointed by the Governor to the vacant office be required at the same time to perform the duties of his own office he may be allowed half the salary―"

The CHAIRMAN―That is enough. He may be ―what you said was "shall." Captain Hastings may be, in the meantime he is not. I think you may be satisfied that Captain Hastings is being treated very well. He is now drawing emoluments to nearly double the amount he received when he came to Hongkong about four years ago. He does a fair day's work, but not an excessively

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hard day's work, and as I say he is drawing not far short of double the sum he was paid when he came here. Can I give you any further information?

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―Thank you.

The vote was agreed to.

THE COST OF THE POLICE.

Upon the item of $235,884 for the Police,

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―If I remember rightly, sir, you stated here some time back that in your opinion we had a very expensive police.

The CHAIRMAN―Did I state that in Council?

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―In Finance Committee, I think.

The CHAIRMAN―I am of that opinion, but I do not remember mentioning it.

Hon. E. R. BELILIOS―Consequently I would like to know how the increase in this item is arrived at.

The CHAIRMAN―If you turn to the details of the estimate you will see that there is an increase of $11,000 for "passages and bonuses." That a great deal more than accounts for the whole increase. Economies have been eff cted in various directions in the Police, as you will see, but this item more than swamps the whole of these economies and leaves a balance to the bad. I am sorry to say that this is quite unavoidable. Under the police regulations and the Police Ordinance the police, especially the European members, are treated with extreme liberality in the matter of passages. They have their passages paid at intervals shorter intervals than other civil servants, are entitled to leave, and if married and above the rank of constable they are entitled to passages for their families also. This is extremely liberal, but the rule was not made this year nor last year. It is a rule of long standing and it is part of the regulations under which the present men joined, and therefore it cannot be altered to their prejudice. The amount of the vote to be taken from year to year depends on the number of men going home or coming out, and the Captain Superintendent of Police has told me that he estimates that this sum will be required next year. A batch of constables is coming out at the beginning of the year, whose passages will have to be paid, and a considerable number of men are entitled to leave next year and their passages will have to be paid to England and back. If you will trouble to look at the other items of this vote you will see that putting this item on one side there is a reduction of expenditure.

Vote agreed to.

THE MILITARY EXPENDITURE.

Upon the vote of $332,000 under the head of military expenditure.

Hon. J. J. KESWICK―With reference, sir, to this item of

military expenditure, which amounts to a sum of £40,000, the contribution required in dollars to meet that amount has now become extremely onerous. The increase as compared with last year, in consequence of the decline in exchange, amounts to $37,647. and it is exceedingly probable, I think, that this time next year the increase from the same cause will be very much greater. I would be glad to know, sir, whether, as our revenue is in dollars, some steps could not be taken whereby the responsibility of the colony in regard to this item should be determined and fixed in dollars. An annual amount in the currency of the colony would enable us to know exactly what our responsibility is. Unfortunately the payment of £40,000 is an indefinite amount so far as a call upon the revenue of the colony is concerned. I should be glad to know whether the Government could take some steps.

The CHAIRMAN―Undoubtedly it would be a very great convenience to the colony, but I do not think that there is the slightest possibility of ever obtaining the concession from the War Department, for the very reason that while it would be convenient to us it would be inconvenient for them.

Hon. J. J. KESWICK―It appears to me that putting aside the question of whether exchange is going up or down―on which no man can speak with the slightest degree of certainty―apart from the question of whether the military authorities would be better off or worse off, if we could determine beforehand the sum we had every year to pay it would be a great benefit to the colony, and the military authorities might not necessarily be losers.

The CHAIRMAN―I do not speak with knowledge on the subject, but I should think that a proposition of this kind has been made to the War Office before now. It has been done in other colonies. I know. In the last colony but one in which I was in it was done. They said in reply that it would be an excellent thing for us but not for them. We did once pay the contribution in rupees, but directly the agreement expired our payment was fixed in sterling and it has been in sterling ever since in spite of several representations made on the subject. I fear Hongkong is not likely to fare any better. If the application has not already been made, that must be because it was known that it would be refused.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―I think if an application has not been made this is the right time to do so. It was a great pity that when we agreed to pay £40,000 we did not fix the dollar amount, because it was then very considerably less than what we have to provide now. Our revenue is collected in dollars and by a fall in exchange we do not get any benefit to our revenue at all. We receive our income in dollars and we ought to pay in dollars, and I think that now that the Straits Settlements are asking to have their contribution reduced we might represent to the home authorities that as our revenue is not increased by a fall in exchange we ought only to have to pay at the same rate for the

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dollar as that at which our first instalment of the £40,000 was made.

The CHAIRMAN ― The question of the military contribution is shortly to be under reconsideration, and the Governor has addressed the Secretary of State strongly representing the considerations why the contribution should not be increased, but rather should be reduced. As to the particular point raised I will look up the matter and ascertain whether it has been raised before, and if it has not I will tell the Governor that it is the opinion of the unofficial members that it would be well to make such an application. I am sure that he would be extremely glad if the War Office would agree to a proposal of the kind but, judging by the experience of other colonies, I am not sanguine that they will do so. I will, however, mention the suggestion to the Governor.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I am afraid that in making the military budget at home they would require to know how much they were going to receive from the colonies, because that would be convenient to them.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―We are in the same position. We do not know how to make our budget. I was horrified, sir, to hear your suggestion just now that the military contribution might be increased. An increase in the military contribution would be simply terrible to this Colony.

The CHAIRMAN―I did not say that there was any question of increase, but I said that the matter was to be reconsidered―the time has already come or has nearly come round for reconsidering it―and the Governor has taken the precaution of anticipating any possible intention of the kind by stating as strongly as he could why it would not be justifiable.

Hon. C. P. CHATER―It would be utterly impossible to pay more than we pay at the present moment―it would be driving the colony to bankruptcy.

Hon. J. J. KESWICK ― Even though the sterling contribution is not increased at all it is conceivable that the decline in exchange might make the contribution which we have to pay more than the colony is able to afford.

The CHAIRMAN―It is possible, it is conceivable as you say, but it would mean a most unfortunate state of affairs in Hongkong.

Hon. J. J. KESWICK―If the dollar falls to 2s., which seems exceedingly probable, that indeed would be a very large item in our expenditure.

The CHAIRMAN―Very, $400,000.

The item was then agreed to.

PUBLIC WORKS EXTRAORDINARY.

The following items for Public Works Extraordinary were, on the motion of the C HAIRMAN ,

and with the concurrence of the Committee, put en bloc and agreed to:―

Central Market, $99,000; Praya Reclamation (Government Contribution), $30,000; Slaughter. House and Sheep and Pig Depôts, $30,000; Gaol Extension, $40,000; Kowloon New Roads, $5,000; New Streets, Kennedytown, $3,000; New Water Mains, $5,000; Sewerage of Victoria, $40,000; Water Supply, Kowloon Peninsula, $85,000; Tytam Reservoir, Clear Water Channel, $4,000; Extension, MacDonnell and Austin Roads, Kowloon, ; Kowloon Cattle Depôt, $7,500; Village Water, Drainage, and Sewerage Works $8,000.

MISCELLANEOUS.

The following votes were agreed to without discussion: ―Pensions, $86,260, Governor and Legislature, $41,339; Colonial Secretary's Department, $35,976; Treasury, $24,888; Public Works Department, $89,791; Registrar General's Department, $24,906; Harbour Master's Department, $60,791; Lighthouses, $15,418; Observatory, $12,752; Stamp Office, $4,318, Botanical and Afforestation Department, $20,950; Legal Departments, $70,538; Ecclesiastical, $2,200; Education, $79,886; Medical Departments, $84,714; Gaol, $59,024; Fire Brigade, $20,098; Sanitary Department, $62,557; Charitable Allowances, $5,200; Transport, $3,000; Miscellaneous Services, $71,911; Public Works, Recurrent, $162,500.

THE SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL, 1892.

The items in this Bill were put en bloc by the CHAIRMAN, with the concurrence of the Committee, after the Colonial Treasurer had explained that most of the sums had already been voted by Council. The Committee agreed to the following:―

Charge on account of Public Debt, $8,466.16; Pensions, $1,886.54; Governor and legislature, $2,924.12; Colonial Secretary's Department, $1,824.94; Treasury, $2,500.69; Post Office, $35,272.30; Registrar General's Department, $600.76; Harbour Master's Department, $3,033.46; Observatory, $1,643.44; Stamp Office, $245.32; Botanical and Afforestation Department, $863.52; Legal Departments, $9,424.49; Education, $3,138.47; Medical Departments, $13,690.62; Magistracy, ; Police, $16,925.28; Gaol, $2,089.40; Sanitary Department, $5,204.01; Charitable Allowances, $3,474.10; Transport, $1,324.55; Miscellaneous Services, $8,359.30; Military Expenditure, $4,373.27; Public Works Annually Recurrent, $18,655.89. Ordinary Expenditure, $147,842.38; Extraordinary Public Works, $87,269.55; Total. $235,111.93.

ADJOURNMENT.

The CHAIRMAN ― That is all the business. The Committee will now adjourn.

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