Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 58

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The Acting Colonial Secretary replied.

(2.) Have contracts been entered into for the execution of work on any sections other than those now in hand, and if not, is it intended to proceed with any other sections within the ensu- ing year.

The Acting Surveyor General replied.

(3.) Will the Government lay on the table a copy of Lord Knutsford's Despatch of 26th March, 1891, to His Excellency Governor Sir William Des Voeux in connection with the appoint- ment of a Chinese Consul in Hongkong, and a copy of Governor Sir Wm. Des Vœux's reply thereto, also a copy of Lord Knutsford's Despatch of 7th July, 1891, as well as a copy of His Lordship's Despatch confirming his telegram to His Excellency The Officer Administering the Government received here on 18th July last, intimating that the proposed probationary appointment of a Chinese Consul for this Colony had been with- drawn.

(4.) Will the Government lay on the table a copy of any correspondence which may have been received from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies in connection with the Protest of the Un-official Members of this Honourable Council against the action of His Excellency Governor Sir Wm. des Voeux in issuing his warrant without the authority of this Council on the 21st February, 1891, for the payment of the equivalent of £20,000 sterling additional Military Contribution exacted from this Colony for the year 1890.

His Excellency replied.

The Registrar General laid on the table "Bye-laws made by the Sanitary Board on the 6th August, 1891, under sub-section 18 of section 13 of Ordinance No. 24 of 1887, as amended by Ordinance No. 12 of 1891," and moved that they be approved by the Council.

The Acting Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

BILLS ENTITLED

AN ORDINANCE TO REPEAL ORDINANCES No. 1 OF 1884 AND No. 17 of 1886 And to amend THE LAW RELATING TO THE PREPARATION OF OPIUM,” AND “ AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE No. 22 or 1887."-The Acting Attorney General moved the first reading of these Bills.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bills read a first time.

The Acting Attorney General moved the suspension of the Standing Orders.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

The Acting Attorney General moved the second reading of these Bills.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bills read a second time.

BILL ENTITLED 6C AN ORDINANCE FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE SENIOR MISSIONARY IN HONG- KONG OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY."-The Honourable Ho KAI moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Honourable P. RYRIE seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED "THE MERCHANT SHIPPING CONSOLIDATION ORDINANCE, 1891."-Committee on the Bill was postponed till next meeting of Council.

ADJOURNMENT.-The Council then adjourned till Monday, the 19th October, at 3 P.M.

Read and confirmed, this 19th day of October, 1891.

A. M. THOMSON, Acting Clerk of Councils.

G. DIGBY BARKER, Officer Administering the Government.