Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 15

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

Has the attention of the Government been directed to the account in the "Daily Press" of 16th ultimo of the insanitary state of things during the recent fatal disease amongst the cattle at Pokfulam, and will the Government obtain from the Sanitary Board and the Government departments concerned and lay upon the table a complete and detailed statement of the actual position of matters from day to day, as well as a copy of the correspondence between the Government and the Dairy Farm Co., Limited, together with the Colonial Veterinary Surgeon's reports for 1888 and 1889, also the report by the Hon. the Surveyor General, the Hon. O. Chadwick, and Mr. Ladds referred to in his (Mr. Ladds) report dated 12th January, 1891?

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Will the Government inform the Council what steps have been taken or are proposed to be taken to secure the immediate services of a Veterinary Surgeon, and is it the intention of the Government to provide in future against the contingency of the Veterinary Surgeon going on leave?

Will the Government inform the Council the cause of delay in taking steps to obtain by public competition plans and designs for the proposed new Government offices, including the Post Office, the Supreme Court, &c., as directed some time ago by the Governor?

Does the Government intend to take any action for the reconstruction of the Sanitary Board in accordance with the opinion expressed by the British members of the community at the ballot taken on the 16th day of May last, the result of which was duly reported to the Government by Mr. N. J. Ede?

Will the Government lay upon the table a statement showing:--(1) the cost of the construction of

the Gap Rock Lighthouse, and the cost of laying down the cable connecting Gap Rock with Hongkong; (2) the total cost of maintenance of the light and the cable to the 30th ultimo ; and (3) the total proceeds of the special Gap Rock Lighthouse rate, imposed for the specific purpose of reimbursing the Government the cost of the Gap Rock light and the connecting cable, from the date it was levied to 30th ultimo?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

MOTION. Mr. WHITEHEAD, pursuant to notice, moved the following resolution :-

That the Government lay upon the table copies of all letters or communications from the Governor or from any Officer of the Government addressed to the Senior Unofficial Member with a view to obtain from him and from his colleagues any expression of opinion on the subject of the Sanitary Board, copies of the correspondence between the Colonial Government and the Home Authorities, copies of the correspondence and reports in connection with the Sanitary Board in the time of Governor Sir William Des Vœux, and Administrator (now) Sir Francis Fleming, and all other documents bearing on the question.

Dr. Ho KAI seconded,

Discussion ensued:

Mr. WHITEHEAD, with His Excellency's permission, withdrew the motion.

NOTICE OF QUESTION.-Mr. BELILIOS gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would ask the following question

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Referring to the fire that took place recently on board the British barque" Glen Caladh," is there, as if I mistake not was the case on the old Police hulk, a look-out for signals for aid afloai maintained at Tsimshatsui Police Station? If not, why has the system been abandoned? BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO FURTHER AMEND THE LAW RELATING TO WIDOWS' AND ORPHANS' PENSIONS."-The Acting Attorney General moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

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BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AUTHORISE THE APPROPRIATION OF A SUPPLEMENTARY SUM OF ONE MILLION TWO THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS AND Seven Cents tO DEFRAY THE CHARGES OF THE YEAR 1895."-The Acting Colonial Treasurer moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded. Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED "AN ORDINANCE TO MAKE BETTER PROVISION FOR THE SALE of Food and Drugs IN A PURE STATE."-The Acting Attorney General moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time,

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