Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 10

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 3.

WEDNESDAY, 8TH FEBRUARY, 1893.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(Sir WILLIAM ROBINSON, K.C.M.G.).

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (GEORGE THOMAS MICHAEL O'BRIEN, C.M.G.). the Attorney General, (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN).

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the Registrar General, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART).

the Colonial Treasurer, (NORMAN GILBERT MITCHELL-INNES). the Director of Public Works, (FRANCIS ALFRED COOPER). the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY). CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

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

THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS.

JAMES JARDINE BELL-IRVING.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 25th January, 1893, were read and confirmed.

PAPERS LAID ON THE TABLE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers, viz. :-Report of the Captain Superintendent of Police for 1892 and the Report of the Superintendent Victoria Gaol for the same year.

QUESTIONS.-Honourable C. P. CHATER gave notice that at the next meeting he would ask the following questions :-

1. What is the total amount so far as has been ascertained to date of the loss occasioned to the

Treasury through the defalcations of A. F. Alves, late Clerk and Accountant therein?

2. Over what period of time have these defalcations extended so far as is at present known? 3. Was the defaulter guaranteed in any way, and if so how, by whom, and to what amount? 4. When were the defalcations first discovered and when were any steps taken for the arrest of the defaulter? Is it a fact as stated in the newspapers that Alves was allowed time during which he was able to make away with the books and accounts incriminating him and to escape from the Colony?

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD also gave notice that at the next meeting he would ask the follow- ing question:---

Will the Government appoint a commission composed in the main of persons unconnected with the Government Service to investigate and report publicly on the management of the Treasury Department and on the circumstances connected with A. F. Alves' defalcations?

BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VOLUNTEER FORCE AND TO EMPOWER THE GOVERNOR TO RAISE A SPECIAL FORCE OF COAST DEFENCE VOLUNTEERS IN THE EVENT OF ANTICIPATED WAR."-The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Council went into Committee on the Bill.

Council resumed and Bill reported with amendments.

BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE HONGKONG CODE OF CIVIL PRocedure.' Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Council went into Committee on the Bill.

Council resumed and Bill reported without amendment.

The Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put-that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

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