4
His Excellency the Governor having left the Council Chamber, the chair was taken by the Chief Justice, as Senior Member.
The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the following gentlemen be appointed a Committee to prepare the address in reply to His Excellency's Speech:-
The Honourable THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.
The Honourable THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The Honourable THE COLONIAL TREASURER.
The Honourable P. RYRIE.
and The Honourable T. JACKSON.
The Treasurer stated that, owing to the arrival of the Mail, he regretted his inability to serve on the Committee.
The Honourable F. D. SASSOON's name was then substituted.
Question-put and passed.
PAPERS. The Acting Colonial Secretary laid on the table the following papers :-
(1.) The Estimates for 1886.
(2.) The Supplementary Estimates for 1884,
(3.) Papers respecting the proposed Loan (No. 3).
(4.) Papers respecting the proposed Spirit Farm (No. 4).
(5.) Papers respecting the increase of 1% in the Municipal Rates (No. 5).
(6.) Papers respecting the opening to trade of the South-western Provinces of China (No. 6). The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the Council adjourn till 6 P.M. to enable the Address of the Legislative Council in reply to the Speech of His Excellency the Governor to be prepared.
The Treasurer moved that, as the Mail had come just in, it would be more convenient to adjourn until 20 minutes to 6 P.M.
The Honourable T. JACKSON Seconded.
The Acting Colonial Secretary then withdrew his motion.
Question--put and passed.
The Council re-assembled at 5-40 P.M.
The Chief Justice took the Chair.
The Clerk of Councils read at the table the following Address to be presented to His Excellency the Governor, in reply to the Speech he had been pleased to deliver to the Council:-
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,
1. We, the Members of the Legislative Council of Hongkong, in Council assembled, desire to thank your Excellency for the Speech with which you have opened the present Session.
2. We repeat that we agree with your Excellency in the opinion that, in justice to the present generation of tax-payers in Hongkong, a moderate loan should be raised on the exhaustion of the existing assets, to defray a portion of the cost of those Sanitary and other Public Works, which are recognised as of permanent importance for the security of the general health and well-being of our population.
3. Agreeing in the principle, we shall give our careful consideration to the details of the proposed Loan Bill and of the proposed Bill to establish a Spirit Farm, the produce of which will be devoted to pay
the interest and Sinking Fund of the Loan.
4. We thank your Excellency for the intention to submit to this Council the Municipal as well as the general taxation of the Colony.
5. We agree with your Excellency that it would be practically impossible, under the circumstances of this Colony, to create here an elective Municipal Council, in which an alien element would be pre- dominant.
6. We concur with the views stated by your Excellency on the above subjects.
7. We are glad to learn that the Military Authorities are steadily prosecuting the system of Defence Works undertaken upon your Excellency's representation of the previously unprotected state of this Port and Colony. We also learn with pleasure that your Excellency's application for a flotilla of Torpedo Boats has been granted. We desire to express our thanks for the constant exertions of your Excellency to secure the defence of this Port and Colony by sea and land.
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