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the Committee any official papers and returns that may be called for or may tend to throw light on the financial position or the future prospects of the Colony. Before concluding I should like to say that, having regard to the history of the past, and notwithstanding the somewhat gloomy picture my financial statement presents, I have every confidence in the future of Hongkong. It is true that the Colony has passed and is passing through a period of severe depression, but there are distinctly favourable and promising indications of better times to come. I have been very much struck by the peaceful, sober, and industrious habits of the Chinese. I hope the leading members of that community fully understand that they and their compatriots will have in me a Governor, a friend, and a supporter in all their reasonable aspirations. It is my most anxious desire to see greater attention paid in our elementary and secondary schools to the teaching of the English language, and this matter I hope to take up before the end of the vacation. The establishment and recent extension of sugar refineries, dock accommodation, brick and cement and rope works are healthy signs, and indicate the advantages which would accrue to the population generally from a further encouragement of local industries. The community may rely upon my aid and assistance in fostering in every legitimate way the development of such enterprises. It will also be my endeavour to cultivate harmonious and friendly relations with the Government author- ities of the mainland of China, with which we are so closely connected geographically and commercially. I am afraid, gentlemen, that my remarks have been somewhat prolix, and that I may have been guilty of repetition, but the occasion is undoubtedly an important as well as an interesting one, and that must be my excuse if I have erred in those directions. I thank you for your forbearance, and in claiming your confidence and support. I can honestly assert that during my tenure of office I shall try by every means in my power to promote as far as possible the well-being of the community, and to maintain the efficiency of the public service.

PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE.-The Acting Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Acting Superintendent of the Fire Brigade for 1891, the Surveyor General's Report for 1891, and the Report of the Water and Drainage Department for

1891.

VOTES REFERRED TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Acting Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Financial Minutes and moved that they be referred to the Finance Committee, viz. :-

C.S.O.

ts of 1892.

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

The Governor recommends the Council to re-vote the sum of Twenty-three thousand Seven hundred and Fifty-eight Dollars and Ninety-two Cents, ($23,758.92), for the following

Extraordinary Public Works" voted for 1891.

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It was not possible to finish these works during last year, so a re-vote is required.

Vaccine Institute:-

Original vote, Expended in 1891,

Additions to Government House:--

Balance,.......

$ 3,500.00 1,812.77

.$ 1,687.23

Voted for 1891,................

Expended in 1891,

•

$15,000.00 7,929.31

Balance,..

7,070.69

District School-Kowloon:-

Original vote,

Expended in 1891,

Repair of the rain-storm damage—Yaumati:-

..$ 8,000.00

Nil.

Balance,...

8,000.00

Amount voted,

Expended in 1891,

Balance.....

$ 7,037.00 36.00

7,001.00,

$23,758.92

Government House, Hongkong, 14th January, 1892.