Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 58

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QUESTIONS.-PRAYA EXTENSION.-Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:-

Whether any decision has as yet been arrived at with reference to the Praya Extension Scheme; and called for all Correspondence and Papers on the subject.

The Officer Administering the Government replied, and laid upon the table the following paper:- Memorandum by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government on the question

of the Praya Extension. (No. 1).

RETURN OF UNSTAMPED CORRESPONDENCE.-Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:-

For an explanation from the Postmaster General with regard to the recent action of the Post Office Authorities in returning to Shanghai and the Coast Ports certain unstumped letters which were addressed to well-known Firms and Individuals in this Colony.

The Treasurer replied, and laid upon the table the following paper:-

Return of Unstamped Correspondence. (No. 1).

LIGHT-HOUSE ON GAP ROCK.-Mr. MACEWEN, pursuant to notice, asked:--

Whether any reply has been received from the Colonial Office regarding the proposed Light on Gap Rock.

The Acting Colonial Secretary replied, and laid upon the table the following paper:

Correspondence respecting a proposed Light-house on Gap Rock. (No. 2o).

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE BETTER REGULATING OF THE TRADE IN ÕPIUM.-The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of this Bill, and stated the objects and reasons of it.

The Treasurer seconded, and addressed the Council.

Mr. CHATER addressed the Council, and moved that the second reading of the Bill be postponed till this day three weeks, and that Counsel be heard at the bar on the subject of the Bill.

Mr. MACEWEN seconded.

The Acting Attorney General moved, as an amendment, that a special meeting he held on Wed- nesday, the 30th instant, at 3 P.M., to consider the Bill.

The Treasurer seconded.

Mr. RYRIE addressed the Council.

The Chief Justice addressed the Council.

Mr. WONG SHING addressed the Council.

The Council then divided :----

For.

Captain THOмsett.

THE SURVEYOR GENERAL.

THE COLONIAL TREASURER.

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY. THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

Amendment carried by a majority of one.

Against.

Mr. CHATER. Mr. BELL-IRVING. Mr. MACEWEN. Mr. WONG SHING. Mr. RYRIE.

The Officer Administering the Government stated that there would be no objection to Counsel appearing.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO ABOLISH TRANSPORTATION AND PENAL SERVITUDE AND TO SUBSTITUTE OTHER PUNISHMENT IN LIEU THEREOF.- -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.

POSTPONEMENT OF THE OTHER ORDERS OF THE DAY.-On the motion of the Acting Attorney General, the other Orders of the Day were postponed.

ADJOURNMENT.-The Council then adjourned until Wednesday, the 30th instant, at 3 P.M.

Read and confirmed, this 30th day of March, 1887.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.

W. H. MARSH,

Administering the Government.