Sessional_Paper_1893 — Page 816

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Appendix 3.

SIB,

HONGKONG, 13th May, 1892.

With reference to your letter No. 736 of the 28th ult., I have the honour to inform you that all the members of the Committee appointed to inquire into certain points connected with the Pó Léung Kuk met yesterday when a question arose as to whether they have been appointed members of a Special Committee of the Legislative Council, or of a Committee which, though it happens to be entirely composed of members of the Legislative Council, is not a Committee of that Council.

2. As Special Committees of the Legislative Council have to be chosen by the members of that Council, and as the present Committee has been appointed by His Excellency the Governor, it would appear that we are not members of a Special Committee of the Legislative Council, but, on behalf of the members of the Committee, I beg to be definitely informed what the status of the Committee really is, and, when that has been decided, whether such status confers upon the Committee the power of compelling the attendance of witnesses and renders it necessary to allow Counsel for the Pó Léung Kuk, the representatives of the Press, and the general public to be present at its meetings.

3. The members of the Committee desire to be allowed the services of a Secretary, and I would suggest that, if it is decided that the Committee is not a Special Committee of the Legislative Council and that Mr. THOMSON is not bound to attend the meetings of the Committee in his capacity as Clerk of Councils, he be requested to act as Secretary. 4. The Committee also desires to employ a short-hand writer and has requested me to apply for authority to engage one, to the granting of which I presume there will be no objection.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Chairman.

Honourable G. T. M. O'BRIEN, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary.

No. 868.

SIR,

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 14th May, 1892.

I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th instant, and to inform you in reply that your Committee is not a Special Committee of the Legislative Council; that it has no power to compel witnesses to attend; and that the questions of allowing Counsel to appear, and the admission of the public, and representatives of the Press, are matters that should be decided in the Committee.

I am to add that you may engage the services of a short-hand writer and a Secretary, but that Mr. THOMSON is unable to undertake the duties of the latter post.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

G. T. M. O'BRIEN, Colonial Secretary.

The Honourable J. H. STEWART LOCKHART,

Chairman of the Committee of Enquiry on the

Pó Leung Kuk.