Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 33

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QUESTIONS. Mr. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions :—

1. Has the attention of the Government been directed to a letter in the "China Mail" on Saturday, 15th instant, on the subject of the lighthouse keepers at Gap Rock? Have the lighthouse keepers complained to the Harbour Master or to the Government direct in respect of their pay and position? Is there any connection between these complaints and the unsatis- factory condition of the working of the Gap Rock signalling arrangements? If any such complaints exist, will the Government direct the Commission appointed by His Excellency the Governor on 19th June last to investigate and report on the working of the Gap Rock Lighthouse, the telegraphic communication therewith, &c., &c., also to investigate and report on these complaints?

2. What is the net amount in sterling which has been received by the Crown Agents in London in respect of the recent Hongkong Gold Loan? Has any portion been remitted to Hongkong, or drawn for by the Colonial Government, and if so, at what rates of exchange? How is the balance in the hands of the Crown Agents invested? If invested, what rate of interest is it earning? And what instructions have the Colonial Government sent to the Crown Agents since the closing of the Indian Mints to the free coinage of silver as to the disposal of the balance of the loan?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

NOTICE OF MOTION.-Mr. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council he would move the following resolution :-

That before proceeding with the second reading of the Morphine Ordinance of 1893 the Govern- ment lay on the table copies of any reports received from the Sanitary Board and the Medical Department on the subject of the consumption of Morphine and the practice of administering or injecting preparations of Morphine by unqualified persons.

BILL ENTITLED "THE MORPHINE ORDINANCE, 1893."-The Attorney General moved the first reading of this Bill.

Dr. Ho KAI seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED "THE STATUTORY DECLARATIONS ORDINANCE, 1893."-The Attorney General moved the recommitment of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill recommitted.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Council resumed.

Bill reported with some verbal amendments.

The Attorney General then moved that the Bill be read a third time.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put--that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

ADJOURNMENT.-The Council then adjourned till Tuesday, the 12th proximo, at 3 P.M.

Read and confirmed, this 12th day of September, 1893.

ARATHOON SETH,

Clerk of Councils.

WILLIAM ROBINSON,

Governor.