1911-08-31 — Page 1

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 179 31ST AUGUST, 1911.

PRESENT:―

Financial

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, SIR FREDERICK JOHN DEALTRY LUGARD, G.C.M.G., C.B., D.S.O.

HIS EXCELLENCY MAJOR-GENERAL C. A. ANDERSON, C.B. (GENERAL OFFICER COMMANDING TROOPS).

HON. MR. W. D. BARNES (Colonial Secretary).

HON. MR. C. G. ALABASTER (Attorney General).

HON. MR. A. M. THOMSON (Colonial Treasurer).

HON. MR. W. CHATHAM, C.M.G. (Director of Public Works).

HON. MR. A. W. BREWIN, C.M.G. (Registrar-General).

HON. CAPTAIN F. W. LYONS (Captain Superintendent of Police).

HON. DR. HO KAI, M.B., C.M.G.

HON. MR. WEI YUK, C.M.G.

HON. MR. H. E. POLLOCK, K.C.

HON. MR. E. A. HEWETT.

HON. MR. C. H. ROSS.

HON. MR. C. MONTAGUE EDE.

MR. C. CLEMENTI (Clerk of Councils). Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Financial Minutes

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table Financial Minute No. 56, and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee (No. 15), and moved its adoption.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

Papers

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by command of H. E. the Governor, laid on the table a diagram concerning the Mongkoksui breakwater.

Opium Amendment Ordinance

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to move that Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to further amend the Opium Ordinance, 1909."

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

On clause 3 (I),

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I move that after the word Gazette be inserted "on any date after the 1st September, 1911." A notice was published in the Gazette a month or two ago concerning the importation of Persian opium into China, and it has been thought desirable to make it quite clear that this Ordinance will only apply to notifications made under it.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― The Clerk of Councils had better read the whole clause first.

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HON. MR. HEWETT―With regard to the remark just made by the hon. Colonial Secretary with regard to section 3 (I), as your Excellency is probably aware, representations are being made to the Government with regard to protecting the very valuable trade in Persian opium which is centralised in Hongkong. The proposal, I believe, put before the Government by the Chamber of Commerce and by unofficial members of the Council generally is to insert the word "Indian" between the words "raw" and "opium" on the third line of sub-section (I).

HIS EXCELLENCY―I think perhaps if you read that clause carefully you will see that the point you make is already safeguarded, because the prohibition of importation of opium has to be notified in the Gazette. As the Bill stands no importation of opium into the Colony will be illegal unless it has been prohibited in the Gazette. I think myself it would be better to leave that point as it is, and if in a few months' time any member of this Council should think right to propose a resolution that Persian opium shall be included, it can be done without any amendment to the Ordinance.

HON. MR. HEWETT―We know perfectly well that negotiations are going on between the British Government and China concerning Persian opium as regards China alone, but, setting that altogether on one side, if this Bill is passed into law and no modification is made we know quite well that a perfectly bona fide and very valuable trade in Persian opium in Hongkong will be killed. The Formosan Government purchases some 1,200 chests a year for their own use in Formosa; also, there is a central trade for Singapore, Netherlands Indies, and other places. The reason why Persian opium is so largely dealt in is perhaps not generally known to hon. members. It is because it contains almost twice the amount of morphia that Indian opium does. Therefore there are a good many sales put through because it contains morphia running from to 10 per cent. It is

1 8

2

purchased for the sake of extracting the morphia, which is used for medicinal purposes. Indian opium only contains or 4

1 3

2

per cent. of morphia. That is why it is perfectly legitimate to carry on the trade irrespective of the smoking of opium. It is

required to supply druggists with morphia, and it seems to me that if we pass the Bill as it stands now, before the end of the year either an amending Ordinance will have to be brought in or some means taken of cancelling the order standing in the Gazette. If something is not done between this and 1st of January next the whole of this trade will be killed. That will be no advantage to China and a dead loss to Hongkong, and the trade will still go on.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― A point of order. My motion is that the 1st September, 1911, be inserted.

HON. MR. HEWETT ― Will your Excellency give us an undertaking that this trade will be safeguarded?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― The reason I propose it is, that Government wish to have an entirely free hand in this matter. We propose to-morrow to insert a notification in the Gazette to the effect that the importation of uncertificated Indian opium into China is illegal. As your Excellency said, in the October session, if it is thought desirable that the provisions of this Bill should apply to Persian opium, the opinion of the Council can be taken on the point.

HON. Mr. HEWETT―The provisions of this Bill, I think, do apply to Persian opium. Personally, I do not think the Government should have a free hand. We want a definite statement from the Government if we pass the Bill in its present form that the Government do not intend to kill the Persian opium trade in Hongkong. If the Government honestly mean to protect that trade―

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I have a strong objection to the hon. member's word honestly. This Council has no desire to take any action with regard to Persian opium honestly or dishonestly. We want to study the whole case.

HON. MR. HEWETT―We do not wish to have the trade driven away from the Colony. This matter has been represented to the Government very clearly, and the Government know that perfectly well I have the copy of a letter before me, and it

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was at my own suggestion some ten days ago that the leading members of the opium firms saw the Colonial Secretary. The Government know perfectly well that this trade exists. Does the Government mean to kill this trade for no reason at all?

HIS EXCELLENCY―I take it your point is, that the words of this clause would empower the executive Government without reference to the Legislative Council to notify any exemption or otherwise in the Gazette? But―

HON. MR. HEWETT―No, my point is, if this Bill is passed the trade in Persian opium will be killed from the 1st January next.

HIS EXCELLENCY―If the hon. member will be good enough to hear me out―

HON. MR. HEWETT―I beg your pardon.

HIS EXCELLENCY―I gather that the hon. member's point is, that if the Government have power to issue a notification without adequate notice it might kill the trade of which the hon. member is talking. I propose therefore that we insert the words "by resolution of the Legislative Council." That will give this Council at any time an opportunity to bring the matter up.

HON. MR. POLLOCK―I understand the Colonial Secretary proposes to insert "after September 1st, 1911." It does not say it is to be notified in the Gazette. This notification of August 18th, 1911, is rather curious. It is a notification by Mr. Harris, the Commissioner of Customs.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― The notification the hon. member has just read was published for the information of the trade in general and was to clear up any misunderstanding on the point, and in order to prevent any assumption that that Chinese notification brought Persian opium under this Ordinance, the amendment was moved.

HON. MR. POLLOCK―What I want to point out is, that the notification which is published in the Gazette might tend to become a notification under the Ordinance.

HIS EXCELLENCY―I have proposed that any notification in the Gazette shall be in pursuance of a resolution by the Legislative Council.

HON. MR. HEWETT―Does the passing of this Ordinance cancel that notification in the Gazette? If not, it will be necessary to cancel it between this and the 1st January unless you wish to kill that Persian trade. If we pass this Bill even with the alterations suggested by the Colonial Secretary, the Persian opium trade will be killed unless the notification in the Gazette is cancelled by the amending Ordinance brought in.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― It is not necessary to cancel the notification, because the amendment postpones its operation to a subsequent date. The amendment is only to deal with notifications appearing after the 1st September. We cannot cancel that notification.

HON. MR. HEWETT―Still I do not see what is the objection to adopting the amendment suggested by myself, so as to enable the trade in Persian opium to go on in Hongkong. What possible objection can there be to carrying on this particular trade in Hongkong?

HIS EXCELLENCY―Is it your view that Persian opium is a good trade to support?

HON. DR . HO KAI―It seems to me somehow or other that we are forgetting the objects and reasons of this Bill. Uncertificated opium should be forbidden to be imported into this Colony. Indian opium has been notified to be forbidden, and in a certain number of years it will be illegal to import it at all. And the same with Persian opium after the 1st January next year. Why legislate against Indian opium alone and allow Persian opium to have a free hand? If it can be proved that Persian opium is not consumed by Chinese at all, well and good. If that is so, we can extend our legislation to distinguish between Indian and Persian opium. In a case of this kind we want to carry out some moral principle, and have to sacrifice something. If we are not prepared to sacrifice something there is no necessity for the Bill

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at all. When we introduced a Bill and let it be known that we want to assist China to get rid of opium and prevent the smuggling of opium, we should have counted the cost. There is no use saying it will kill a large trade in such and such a kind of opium by the introduction of a measure of this kind which will apply equally to any opium. I should like to have it made clear whether we are here to pass this Ordinance in favour of a certain trade in a certain opium or whether we are here to pass this Ordinance for the express purpose of preventing the smuggling into China of uncertified opium. Once that is clear I shall know how to vote.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Might I explain the views of the Government on this matter? We wish to have absolute authority to deal with every class of opium whatever and to bring into operation all the clauses of this Bill immediately. We propose to apply it to Indian opium. On the question of Persian opium we have heard the one side put forward by the hon. member opposite. It is quite possible that later on the measure may extend to Persian opium also, while on the other hand it may not. It is open to any hon. member to propose a resolution to exclude Turkish or any other opium, but it is only proposed at the present moment to pass a Bill prohibiting the entry of any opium concerning which the notification has been issued, and in view of what your Excellency has stated I would ask permission to amend by motion by reading after "shall" "in pursuance of any regulation published in the Gazette."

HON. DR. HO KAI―The hon. Colonial Secretary has not answered my question yet. Is it the policy of the Government to prevent uncertified opium being smuggled into China?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― Undoubtedly it is, but the question of cost must be counted. There are some cases in which the advantage would be small and the loss to us great. There are others in which the contrary obtains. We must study the whole question before we commit ourselves to any definite action. The question of Persian opium has only recently arisen and has not yet been completely studied.

HON. DR. HO KAI―Has the Government any information that Persian opium is being smuggled into China?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I don't think so.

HON. DR. HO KAI―Has the Commissioner of Customs?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I don't think so. If so, the amount is small and the statement is incomplete.

HIS EXCELLENCY―I do not recollect reading of the smuggling of Persian opium, but I have seen statements of the smuggling of morphia which is made from Persian opium. (To Hon. Mr. Hewett) ― Do you suppose that of the 1,200 to 1,500 chests of Persian opium imported into Formosa all the morphia extracted is used in Formosa?

HON. MR. HEWETT―Certainly, Sir. We understand the Formosan Government buy it, and I do know perfectly well that the ordinary Chinaman does not use Persian opium.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― I think that is incorrect.

HON. MR. HEWETT ― By Chinese in Formosa. But that is the business of the Formosan Government. Surely, Hongkong cannot be accused of not having made sacrifices enough. The Government has sacrificed an enormous sum against the views of the unofficial members. If the Formosan Government imported the opium into bond in Formosa Hongkong's responsibility ceases there.

HIS EXCELLENCY―I suggest that this debate is beside the point, because if the words suggested are inserted no notification can be made in the Gazette except in pursuance of a resolution by this Council, and there is no notification published in the Gazette with regard to Persian opium at the present moment. If it is desired, the question can come up for debate at this Council, but it does not arise on this debate.

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HON. Mr. HEWETT―With all deference to your Excellency, I think it does. The discussion which has now taken place, if properly and fully reported, will have a very good effect. Now is the time to discuss the question not a month or two later.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I think the figures I have before me go far to decide the question. I gather from the hon. member that he considers the bulk of Persian opium which goes into Formosa now is used for making morphia. The figures show that from 31st January to 31st July there was a total of 1,309 chests, and of this 350 chests entered Tamsui. The rest went to other places.

HON. MR. HEWETT―I have stated most emphatically that the trade is a varying one. There are from 1,200 to 1,500 chests on an average to Formosa in one year. Then there is a considerable trade done in Singapore and the Straits, and I cannot admit that the hon. Colonial Secretary has scored off me.

HON. DR. HO KAI―The figures show that about one quarter of the Persian opium goes to Formosa and three-quarters goes somewhere else. That somewhere else is presumably into China. As regards this measure, it was introduced at the request of the opium dealers here. The thing is not altogether a sacrifice. They want to protect their interests as well.

HIS EXCELLENCY―In this question I think the better course now will be to put a specific amendment. If the hon. member representing the Chamber of Commerce has anything further to suggest I will put that to the Council also. The first amendment is, that after the word "shall" the words "in pursuance of any resolution of the Legislative Council" be inserted.

A vote was taken, and the amendment was carried unanimously.

HIS EXCELLENCY (to Hon. Mr. Hewett) ― Can you suggest any amendment?

HON. MR. HEWETT―No. In view of the discussion, I am quite prepared to accept the amendment on the understanding that we may have an opportunity to amend the Bill later

on.

HIS EXCELLENCY―It is open to any member of this Council to bring forward a resolution at any time. There is no specific understanding.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― In sub-section 2 I propose that instead of Colonial Secretary the word "Superintendent" should be inserted. The Farmer has asked for that amendment as being more convenient to him.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER ― I think the words "into China" are not only superfluous, but confusing. They are not wanted at all. If we prohibit the importation into Hongkong, it does not matter whether it is illegally imported into China or not.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I don't think the words "into China" are necessary, but I think we ought to insert the word "of" in the second line after the word "importation."

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I propose another small amendment in sub-section 2, that is, that the word "through" before "bill of lading" be deleted.

HON. MR. POLLOCK―Who is meant by the Superintendent?

HIS EXCELLENCY―The Superintendent of Imports and Exports.

The amendment was agreed to.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I move the deletion of the word "in" in the first line of sub-section 3, and suggest that we insert the words "of imports and exports" in the previous clause.

This was agreed to.

The Clause was then passed.

On clause 4,

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to move the deletion of this clause, which will mean that the Ordinance will come into operation on the 1st September. The opium merchants of this Colony have all had full notice of this Bill ever since the

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beginning of this month. In fact, before the August sale they were warned it was quite possible that this Bill would be proposed and that if they bought any opium at the sale held on the first Wednesday in August they ran the full risk of having it cut out. That notice was emphasised by this Bill being brought forward last Thursday. I suggest that no further notification is necessary and that the Bill may come into effect to-morrow.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded.

HON. DR. HO KAI―Sir, I think it is but fair that opium on the way should be allowed to be imported. It is easy to see from the manifest whether the opium was shipped before the 1st September.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER―The Bill does not affect that question at all. It does not take effect until we pass a resolution.

HON. DR. HO KAI―The Bill can come into operation and all Indian opium can come in just the same until a resolution is passed.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― A resolution will be passed as soon as the Bill is passed.

HON. MR. POLLOCK―You mean to-day? THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Yes.

HON. DR. HO KAI―In that case, after we have passed a resolution the Bill comes into effect and all opium on the way will be shut out.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Might I ask the hon. member to define what he means by "on the way?"

HON. DR. HO KAI―On the way from Singapore.

HIS EXCELLENCY―No opium can be on the way unless it was shipped last Thursday.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Does the hon. member appreciate the position of Singapore in this matter? It is the furthest port East to which opium can be brought on rupee exchange, and there are generally very

large amounts there waiting for orders from the Dutch Indies, China, and elsewhere.

HON. DR. HO KAI―Why not have the Bill take effect from to-day? Whatever is on the way should not be debarred from coming in.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER―That can be discussed on the resolution.

HIS EXCELLENCY―The amendment is, that clause 4 be omitted.

This was agreed to.

On Council resuming,

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to report that the Bill has passed through Committee with various amendments, and I move that it be read a third time.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―I beg to move a resolution to the effect that it shall be notified in the next issue of the Gazette that the importation into this Colony of all kinds of raw Indian opium, except opium covered by export permits from the Government of India, to the effect that it is declared for shipment to or consumption in China, be illegal.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL―I second it. I suggest that the motion be treated as a motion of urgency.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― A two - thirds majority of the Council is necessary under the Standing Orders to bring forward this resolution as a matter of urgency. Will those in favour vote for and those not in favour against?

The motion was carried.

HON. MR. POLLOCK ― I think perhaps there might be a difficulty in the point referred by the hon. senior unofficial member. Supposing opium was now on its way between Singapore and Hongkong, how is that opium to be stopped? We cannot turn a mail steamer back?

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 185

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Leave it on the steamer.

HON. MR. POLLOCK―Even then you have it imported into the waters of the Colony.

HON. DR. HO KAI―Supposing a P. and O. steamer brought opium into the waters of the Colony the day after to-morrow the opium cannot be sent on to Macao.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―Does the hon. member wish to exempt the owner of such opium from punishment, or does he wish to allow the opium to come in?

HON. DR. HO KAI―I wish to allow the opium to come in. It must be transhipped even to divert it, and once it comes into the waters of the Colony it cannot be transhipped nor can it be diverted.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― The owner took a gambling chance.

HON. MR. EDE―They can carry it on.

HON. DR. HO KAI―We only knew of this Bill since Thursday.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― The dealers were told by me on the 10th of August.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― Other dealers were informed and the Chinese were notified through the Registrar-General.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GENERAL.―An offence is committed if a steamer brings opium within the waters of the Colony.

HIS EXCELLENCY (to Dr. Ho Kai)―Will you move an amendment to the resolution?

HON. DR. HO KAI ― I move that the following words be added "except such opium as is in transit and which has been shipped on a bill of lading prior to the 31st August."

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I have every sympathy with any one who wishes to relieve a man from penalties, but why you should let the opium in I cannot see.

HON. MR. POLLOCK ― What are you going to do with the opium?

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― Let it remain on the ship.

HON. MR. HEWETT―If it is a shipment from Bombay to Hongkong the ship cannot take it on to Japan or Shanghai. It cannot be taken back to India and it cannot be thrown overboard, otherwise the captain would be charged with barratry.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― I suggest that the whole of this opium business is a gamble.

HON. DR. HO KAI―The amendment only means delaying for a few days.

HON. MR. ROSS―Do you wish to stop the importation of opium that has been shipped from Singapore?

HIS EXCELLENCY―Before we proceed with the resolution it has just occurred to me that the Bill was never formally passed. We pass the third reading and I now put the motion that the Bill pass.

The motion was carried unanimously.

HIS EXCELLENCY―I announce at the same time to the Council that I give my assent to the Bill. I will alter the terms of the resolution, "That, subject to the provisions of section 2 of this Bill, it is hereby resolved," etc. That means that the opium imported by the Opium Farmer will not be illegal under this Bill. Now the Bill having been passed and assented to and the resolution being under section 2, that will carry on the exemption to the Opium Farmer.

HON. MR. POLLOCK ― That will be framed now as a resolution under the Ordinance?

HIS EXCELLENCY―Yes.

HON. MR. HEWETT―With regard to the remarks made by the hon. Colonial Secretary, I quite realise that if the terms of this resolution are postponed it may

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permit a large quantity of opium lying at Singapore waiting for a market to be rushed in. I don't wish to protect that particular trade, but I do not admit that ample notice has been given to the merchants. The merchants were informed by the Government the day before the last sale. I think therefore we should stop the importation of the opium which has been lying at the Straits for perhaps a week or a fortnight or a month. We should not stop the bona fide shipments from Calcutta or Bombay, as the case may be, which were shipped before August 31st.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― The Council will bear in mind that this Bill has been introduced at the request of the chief opium merchants of the Colony, so presumably they are not importing into the Colony opium against which they are protesting.

HON. MR. HEWETT ― Well, Sir, unfortunately they are. As long as the sales went on they had to go on buying to protect themselves. They would be glad indeed if the Government would stop the importation of uncertificated Indian opium, but until this Bill was brought in they had to go on buying.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― You yourself spoke to me, and I told you I was prepared to take this course. You consulted with the merchants. Therefore they have had information for upwards of a month.

HON. MR. HEWETT―I went to see them the day I saw you or the day afterwards, but they were still buying, as they did not know whether the Bill was coming forward this week or next month. Therefore at the last sales they had to buy.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― I think their position is a little thin. After protesting against the importation of uncertificated opium and asking us to introduce this Bill, they go on importing subsequent to the date on which they knew the Bill would be introduced.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―The sales at Calcutta take place on the first Wednesday in each month. Prior to the last sale three of the leading merchants came into my office

and asked what the intentions of the Government were. I told them it was extremely probable that any opium they bought would be shut out. Now I have figures showing that of the 1,005 chests imported between 24th July and the 29th August 760 chests were imported by the gentlemen who came to see me.

HON. DR. HO KAI moved as an amendment that this resolution is not to apply to any bona fide shipments of uncertificated Indian opium shipped from Calcutta or Bombay by vessels sailing prior to the 30th August, 1911, and which are now on the high seas, but it is to apply to any opium which was landed in the Straits Settlements prior to the 31st August and has since been re-shipped.

HON. MR. HEWETT seconded.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY―There is no necessity for the last paragraph at all.

HON. MR. HEWETT―The only thing in drafting that was to shut out any possibility of opium being brought up from Singapore. If it is redundant, cut it out by all means.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY ― The second part does not arise, and the words "high seas" might be difficult in the case of a ship being at this moment in Singapore harbour.

HIS EXCELLENCY (to Hon. Mr. Hewett) ―Do you wish to keep in the second part.

HON. MR. HEWETT―No, I think the hon. Colonial Secretary is quite right.

HON. MR. ROSS―It will give me much pleasure to support the amendment if the hon. member will change the date to the 21st August.

HON. MR. HEWETT―That is putting it ten days earlier.?

HON. DR. HO KAI―Your reason is to put the date before the Bill was introduced?

HON. MR. ROSS―Yes.

HONGKONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 187

HON. MR. POLLOCK―I don't think that is fair.

HON. MR. EDE―The dealers knew of the Bill on Monday week. They knew of it probably on the 31st July.

HON. MR. HEWETT―But they probably did not know that it was to come into force so soon and they had to go on buying.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― Have you any objection to altering the amendment to read "provided the opium has not been landed anywhere"? This lets in the whole of the opium sold in India at the sale prior to the 31st August. What we want to avoid is the unloading of all the Singapore godowns in Hongkong.

HON. MR. HEWETT―That is why I put that in.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― Say any opium which has not been landed anywhere, but which has come direct.

HON. MR. HEWETT ― That may not exactly meet the case. The opium may have been landed for a day or two and then re shipped.

HIS EXCELLENCY ― The terms of the amendment are, that "This resolution shall not apply to any bona fide shipments of uncertificated Indian Opium which have been made from Calcutta or Bombay by a vessel sailing prior to 21st August, 1911, and which have not been landed at any port after such shipment."

The resolution was then carried.

Arms and Ammunition Amendment Bill

The Committee stage on the Bill entitled, "An Ordinance to amend the Arms and Ammunition Ordinance, 1900," was not proceeded with.

Crown Solicitor's Ordinance

THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved that Council go into Committee on the Bill

entitled, "An Ordinance to enable Joseph Horsford Kemp, Esquire, Barrister-at-law, to practise as Crown Solicitor in the Court and to provide for the payment of solicitor's costs in cases in which a salaried Crown Solicitor or Assistant Crown Solicitor acts as solicitor.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL ― I beg to report that the amendments were passed at last meeting which now appear printed. I have no other amendments to make, and move that Council do now resume.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the motion was agreed to.

On Council resuming,

THE ATTORNEY - GENERAL moved that the Bill be read a third time.

THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded, and the Bill was read a third time and passed.

HIS EXCELLENCY―Council will adjourn sine die.

FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Finance Committee was then held, the Council Secretary presiding.

The following vote was passed:

Miscellaneous

The Governor recommended the Council to vote a sum of Three thousand Dollars ($3,000) in aid of the vote Public Works, Extraordinary, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Works.

THE CHAIRMAN―We have built a new Police Station at Tsünwan which is just finished, and the Captain Superintendent of Police did not, as he should have done, make provision in the estimates for a new telephone, and a police station without a telephone is almost useless.