Sessional_Paper_1896 — Page 36

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 9.

MONDAY, 14TH DECEMBER, 1896.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

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

His Excellency the Major-General Commanding (Major-General WILSONE BLACK, C.B.).

The Honourable the Colonial Secretary and Registrar General, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART

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LOCKHART).

the Attorney General, (WILLIAM MEIGH GOODMAN).

the Acting Colonial Treasurer, (ALEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON). the Director of Public Works, (FRANCIS ALFRED COOPER).

the Harbour Master, (ROBERT MURRAY RUMSEY, R.N.).

the Captain Superintendent of Police, (FRANCIS HENRY MAY, C.M.G.). CATCHICK PAUL CHATER.

Ho

HO KAI, M.B., C.M.

THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS, C.M.G. WEI YUK.

ABSENT;

The Honourable JAMES JARDINE BELL-IRVING.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 7th December, were read and coufirmed. PAPERS-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers :-

1. Papers respecting tlie Abolition of the Special Gap Rock Lighthouse Rate.

2. Statement with reference to Taipingshan Improvement Works.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the report of the Finance Committee dated the 7th December, 1896, (No. 6), and moved its adoption.

The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded...

Question-put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE.-The Director of Public Works laid on the table the report of the Public Works Committec, dated 7th December, 1896, (No. 4), and moved its adoption.

The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

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

Will the Government lay upon the table an estimate as to the probable total cost of doing what is necessary to be done to the resumed area of Taipingshan before the lots can be put up to auction, and state the further probable time required to overtake the work?

In view of the present Opium Farm expiring in the spring of 1898, will the Government appoint a commission with full powers to investigate and report on the opium revenue generally, and upon the advisability or otherwise of substituting for the present Opium "Farm bonded warehouses and a fixed duty on all opium not bonâ fide exported in a raw state?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

RESOLUTION. Mr. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next meeting he would move the following resolution :-

That, whereas the Special Gap Rock Light Dues were imposed for the sole purpose of raising the monies required for the construction of the said lighthouse, and the Government are pledged to their abolition as soon as the requisite amount had been raised, and whereas it appears that a sum of about $42,000 in excess of the amount required has already been received- Resolved that in the opinion of this Council the Special Gap Rock Light Dues should no longer be levied.