Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 53

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His Excellency then announced that a Meeting of the Executive Council would be held on Tuesday, the 22nd instant, at 3 P.M., to which the Members of this Council were invited to attend, when Mr. Justice RUSSELL'S Confidential Report referred to above would be read.

VOTES OF MONEY PASSED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Adininistering the Government, laid upon the table the Report of the proceedings of the Finance Committee, dated the 11th instant, (No. 7), and moved that the following sums referred to therein be voted, viz.:-

Salary of a Temporary Inspector of Nuisances, for 12th months, at $60 per month, $ 720.00 Allowance for Rent, for 12 months, at $15 per month,

180.00

Allowance for Chair in summer, for 12 months, at $12 per month, for 5 months,

60.00

$ 960.00

The Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and passed.

PAPER.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the following paper:-

Correspondence in connection with the Bill entitled An Ordinance empowering the Courts to

award Whipping as a further punishment for certain Crimes. (No. 1).

ABOLITION OF CORONER'S JURIES, IN CERTAIN CASES.-The Acting Attorney General, pursuant to notice, moved the following resolution, and addressed the Council:-

Whereas the circumstances of this Colony do not require the enquiry into cases of sudden or violent death by a Coroner's Jury, and whereas no advantage is found to arise from such enquiries, be it resolved that it is expedient to introduce an Ordinance abolishing the Office of Coroner and providing for an enquiry into cases of sudden or violent death by a Police Magistrate without a Jury, and for the holding of Inquests by a Police Magistrate with a Jury on the bodies of persons who die in Gaol.

Mr. RYRIE seconded, and addressed the Council.

Question-put and passed.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE BETTER REGULATING OF THE TRADE IN OPIUM.-On the motion of the Treasurer, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

The Treasurer gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council, he would move the second reading of this Bill.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO CONSOLIDATE AND AMEND THE LAW FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT AND REGULATION OF THE POLICE FORCE OF THE COLONY.-On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED THE CATTLE DISEASES, SLAUGHTER-HOUSES, AND MARKETS ORDINANCE, 1887.— On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO ABOLISH TRANSPORTATION AND PENAL SERVITUDE AND TO SUBSTITUTE OTHER PUNISHMENT IN LIEU THEREOF.-On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, seconded by the Acting Colonial Secretary, this Bill was read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR SECURING THE STATUS OF FRENCH MAIL STEAMERS WITHIN THE PORTS OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.-The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and stated the objects and reasons of it.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question--put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE PROVISION FOR SECURING THE STATUS OF GERMAN MAIL STEAMERS WITHIN THE PORTS OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.-The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and stated the objects and reasons of it.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and passed.

Bill read a second time.