Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 803

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one or two more particulars which are to be obtained by Mr. MAY and Dr. Ho Kai. Satisfaction being the order of the day I do not see what useful purpose would be served by prolonging our sittings.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-We cannot go back on what we have expressed at previous meetings.

The CHAIRMAN.-I am pleased to see that satisfaction has been arrived at.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--It has not, it has not been arrived at. By the directors having refused to come our report cannot be satisfactory or complete. Mr. CHATER said that he would not be a party to any further proceedings if they refused to attend. They have refused to attend yet we are still here. This is the first meeting we have held since we knew that they had refused for the third time to attend.

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The CHAIRMAN.-The chief point is that the members are satisfied and are in a position to report on the points referred to us by the Government and I congratulate the members of the Committee on having at last arrived at such a state of feeling and I now propose that we adjourn until Mr. MAY and Dr. Ho KAI have kindly obtained the information required.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--I cannot concur for one moment with the remarks you have made.

The CHAIRMAN. Then I have misinterpreted your meaning, Mr. WHITEHEAD.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Dr. Ho KAI has said that the directors may still come forward and if they will I should be very glad indeed.

Honourable Ho KAI.--Instead of Mr. May and myself going there let the directors come here. If they do so I should think there could be no dissatisfaction.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-If I have caused any dissatisfaction I should like to take the opportunity of removing it. I have not intentionally caused any annoyance to anyone.

Mr. F. H. MAY.-Dr. Ho KAI and I might arrange as to how to get the informa- tion and see whether the directors like to come.

Honourable Ho KAI.--I thought that as Mr. WHITEHEAD only required the list of members &c. I should only be too happy to get them for him, but if he still con- siders that notwithstanding the information we can extract it will still be unsatisfactory I simply refuse to act. I would rather the clerk of the Pó Léung Kuk or one of the Pó Léung Kuk Directors come up here.

The CHAIRMAN.-I think this Committee will have perfect confidence in any in- formation procured by yourself, Dr. Ho Kaι, and Mr. MAY. I am sure I am represent- ing the feeling of the Committee in saying that.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-I should quite approve of any information as to its accuracy or reliability-certainly-but as regards the attendance of one or two members of the Board of Directors of the Pó Léung Kuk I still think that they ought to come and give us the information we ask for.

Honourable. C. P. CHATER.-We asked them to come and they refused. The matter is at an end. It is on record that they refused to appear before us; what is the use of going into the question again? They have definitely declined to come and the thing is over. Now we want some other information from the Secretary of the Society which Dr. Ho KAI and Mr. MAY are going to obtain for us and then will come the question of our report.

The Committee then adjourned sine die.