Sessional_Paper_1891 — Page 77

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 26.

MONDAY, 23RD NOVEMBER, 1891.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (Major-General G. DIGBY BARKER, C.B.).

The Honourable the Acting Colonial Secretary, (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN).

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the Acting Attorney General, (ANDREW JOHN LEACH).

the Registrar General, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART).

the Colonial Treasurer, (NORMAN GILBERT MITCHELL-Innes).

the Acting Surveyor General, (FRANCIS ALFRED COOPER).

the Acting Harbour Master, (WILLIAM CHARLES HOLLAND HASTINGS). PHINEAS KYRIE

CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

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

THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

ABSENT:

The Honourable JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 21st November, 1891, were read and confirmed.

PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table despatch from the Officer Administering the Government, No. 229, of the 15th July, 1891, on the appointment of a Chinese Consul at Hong- kong, and despatch from Secretary of State, No. 235, of the 1st October, 1891, in reply.

The Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD asked the following questions:—

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1. Is it correct as stated in the "China Mail" of 12th November, 1891, that in the course

Bankruptcy proceedings in the Supreme Court on that date it was revealed that there is no provision in the law of the Colony to assign debt, and if so will the Government take steps to amend the law in that respect.

The Acting Attorney General replied.

2. Will the Government lay on the table a list of--

(1.) The number of convictions for offences against the new Gambling Ordinance since

the date it came into force to 30th September last:

(2) The amount of fines levied.

(3.) The amount of fines collected.

(4.) The number of persons imprisoned in default of payment of fine with the periods

of their imprisonment and the cost to Government of their detention in Gaol.

(5.) The number of persons now in prison for such offences.

3. With reference to the Honourable the Colonial Secretary's letter of 22nd July, 1890, to the Chamber of Commerce to the effect that Government will consider how far it is possible to separate the Lighthouse dues from the general revenue of the Colony, will the Government inform the Council what progress has been made by Government in the matter.

4. As it seems only reasonable that the public should have an opportunity of judging of the work done by the Registrar General's Department, will the Government lay on the table copies of the Registrar General's last. annual report in the same way as is done with the reports of other departments, and as was formerly done in regard to the department in question?

5. With reference to the following paragraph in the address of His Excellency Governor Sir Cecil

Smith to the Legislative Council of Singapore last month-

"The Estimates for 1892, which are now submitted to you are as follows:-

"Revenue,

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'Expenditure,

$3,629,316

3,820,806