Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 24

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5. What arrangements have been made for examining and checking accounts sent to the Treasury for payment, and have any difficulties arisen, since the new system of audit was introduced,. in checking and examining accounts for payment?

6. What are the duties of the Treasury Department and the Treasurer, under the new organization

of that department?

7. Can His Excellency the Governor inform the Council whether the Audit System recently introduced in Hongkong is in force in Singapore, Ceylon, or any other Crown Colony, and if not for what special reasons has it been introduced in this Colony?

8. Will the Government lay on the table a statement showing the present position of the Light- house Works on Gap Rock, the amounts actually expended to the 31st March last, and the sums then due although not actually paid, and an estimate of the monies still required to complete the work?

9. Will the Government lay on the table a statement showing the actual cost to date of the S.S. "Fame"; the monthly expenditure for wages and running expenses, interest, &c.; the number of trips she has made to the Gap Rock, and the cost per trip to and from the Gap Rock?

10. Have the plans for the construction of the sea-wall of the Praya Reclamation as designed by the late Surveyor General and approved by Sir John Coode been altered in any respect since the commencement of the work?

11. If they have been altered in any respect, what is the nature of the alteration? What addi- tional expense (if any) does it entail beyond the sum mentioned in the Government Gazette of the 6th July, 1889?

12. With reference to Government Notification No. 139 of the 28th March, 1891, from which it appears that there are various cases of default in the performance of Covenants entered into on the purchase of Crown Lands, will Government lay on the table a detailed list of the Lands referred to in that Notification, specifying as regards each lot, the date of sale, the name of the purchaser, the name of the successive Assignees and of the present tenant, the area, the premium, the annual Crown rent, and the nature of the covenants unperformed.

The Acting Colonial Secretary replied.

The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the Honourable Ho KAI be appointed a Member of the Public Works Committee in room of the Honourable C. P. CHATER absent on leave.

The Attorney General seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD moved the following resolution :-

That in consequence of the enhanced Military Contribution still demanded by the Imperial Govern- ment, this Colony is not in a position to pay the increased Salaries recently recommended by the Un-official Members and that the Secretary of State be requested by telegram to withhold

his sanction.

The Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.

The Honourable J. J. KESWICK moved as an amendment :-

That in consequence of the increase to official salaries being greatly in excess of what was con- templated by the Committee specially appointed to consider the subject, of the ever growing Government Establishments to which the increase would apply; and in view of the fact that the declining Revenues of this Colony will not be equal to so great a strain upon them for the enormous public works in progress, besides the other impending and urgent necessities of the Colony, and of the increased Military contribution, it is desirable that the Secretary of State be asked by telegraph to withhold his sanction to the proposed increase until the amount of it be reconsidered.

The Honourable Ho KAI seconded.

On a division there voted on the amendment,--

For

Honourable PHINEAS RYRIE.

Against.

Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary.

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JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.

the Attorney General.

**

Ho KAI, M.B., C.M.

the Colonial Treasurer.

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THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

"J

the Registrar General.

the Surveyor General.