Sessional_Paper_1886-1887 — Page 81

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PAPERS. The Acting Colonial Secretary, by direction of His Excellency the Officer Administer- ing the Government, laid upon the table the following papers:

(a) Letter from the Crown Agents in connection with the Loan. (No. 4).

(b.) Report of the Director of the Observatory for 1886, (No. 3).

.BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE BETTER REGULATING OF THE TRADE IN OPIUM.-Debate on the motion for the second reading of this Bill was resumed.

The Officer Administering the Government addressed the Council.

The Acting Attorney General addressed the Council.

Mr. CHATER addressed the Council.

The Acting Chief Justice addressed the Council.

Question-put and passed.

Bill read a second time.

The Acting Attorney General moved that the Council do now go into Committee on this Bill.

Mr. MACEWEN moved, at the request of the Chamber of Commerce, for a short delay to enable certain suggested amendments to be formulated.

Mr. CHATER seconded.

The Acting Attorney General asked to be informed, before next meeting, of any modifications in the Bill, in order that they may be considered.

The Officer Administering the Government wished the Council to understand that His Excellency had lost no time in acquainting the Council and the Chamber of Commerce of the approval by the Secretary of State of the proposals that had been previously made by them.

ADJOURNMENT.-The Acting Attorney General then moved that the Council be adjourned to Friday, the 27th instant, at 4.P.M.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded

Question-put and passed.

Read and confirmed, this 27th day of May, 1887.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.

W. G. CAMERON, Major-General, Administering the Government.