Sessional_Paper_1884 — Page 15

READING OF BILLS FOR THE FIRST TIME. On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the following Bills were read a first time :-

A Bill entitled The Weights and Measures Ordinance, 1884.

27

The Opium Ordinance, 1884.

The Stamp Ordinance, 1884.

})

""

">

"

The Medical Registration Ordinance, 1884.

27

19

"}

The Prison Ordinance, 1884.

The Dangerous Goods Ordinance, Amendment Ordinance, 1884. READING OF PRIVATE BILL FOR THE FIRST TIME -On the motion of the Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, Seconded by the Honourable the Surveyor General, the following Bill was read a first time :-

A Bill entitled An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to authorise CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, Esq. to construct piers and wharves in the harbour of Victoria, and to confer upon the said CATCHICK PAUL CHATER certain other powers and privileges.

The Attorney General moved that the above seven Bills be referred to the Law Committee. Seconded by the Colonial Secretary.

Question-put and passed.

THE STANDING ORDERS REVISION OF.-The Attorney General moved that the existing Stand- ing Orders be referred to the Law Committee of the Legislative Council.

Seconded by the Colonial Secretary.

Question--put and passed.

LIGHT DUES LEVIED on ShippinG.-The Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, pursuant to notice, moved :— "That in the opinion of this Council the Light Dues levied on shipping in any one year should not exceed in amount the estimated expenses of maintaining the Light-houses during that year."

The Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.

The Colonial Secretary moved as an amendment:—

That this matter be referred to the Finance Committee in order that the whole of the

correspondence may be considered and looked into carefully.

Seconded by the Colonial Treasurer.

Debate ensued.

His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council.

Amendment carried nem. con.

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CEMETERY-CONDITIONS OF THE TENURE OF.-The Honourable F. B. JOHNSON, on the motion for adjournment, asked, pursuant to notice, the Surveyor General, what are the conditions of tenure on which the land set apart for the interment of Roman Catholics is held.

The Surveyor General replied:----

Upon receiving notice of the question of the Honourable member, I caused an investigation to be made as to the terms under which this lease was granted. In 1848 Governor Sir JOHN BOWRING conceded to the ecclesiastical authorities of the day a leasehold of this land for the term of 999 years. The concession was not accompanied by any conditions or restrictions. It is vested in the Propaganda Fide as represented by the authorities of the day. The actual holder of the lease is the Roman Catholic Bishop, and I have been able to find nothing that will in any way enable the Government to interfere, because it was not given in trust, but was an absolute gift in fee simple to the Roman Catholic authorities of that day.

The Honourable F. B. JOHNSON gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would move for the production of all the papers relating to this grant of land.

The Council adjourned until Wednesday, the 12th instant, at 4 P.M.

Read and confirmed, this 19th day of March, 1884.

J. H. STEWART-LOCKHART,

Acting Clerk of Councils.

G. F. BOWEN, Governor.

Page 15Page 16