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question been referred to the Finance Committee of Council within a reasonable period of the date on which the Chamber of Commerce brought it to the notice of Government there would have been adequate time for its examination and discus- sion, and the expenditure or economy in the cost of the administration could have been simultaneously considered, but now in the last days of the year the Estimates must be hurried through without delay.

I respectfully protest against this method of bringing forward important questions for debate at the latest possible moment. I further protest against secret confabulations between the unofficial members of Council on public ques- tions, and at the reduction of the debates in Council to a mere pro forma discussion on resolutions already arrived at.

I may be permitted to point out that in the Straits Settlements, with their enormous area and extensive interests, the Government there laid the Estimates for 1897 on the Council table on the 1st of October last.

I have the honour to request that this ny protest may be forwarded at your Excellency's earliest convenience to the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

T. H. WHITEHEAD.

Extract from the “Daily Press" of 4th December, 1896.

GAP ROCK LIGHT DUES.

THE PRIVATE MEETING OF UNOFFICIAL MEMBERS.

His EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, I have the honour to lay upon the table certain correspondence respecting the abolition of the Special Gap Rock Light Dues. I have taken the liberty of laying this paper on the table myself because I wish to say that late last night, about a quarter to six, while engaged in official work, I received a vigorous protest which was written in his usual uncompromising style by the Honourable Member who has just been sworn in as representative of the Chamber of Commerce. I wish to say that the charge he has brought against me of entering into private correspondence on the subject is utterly untrue. The Honourable Member is aware of the saying, give a misstatement twenty-four hours' start and you cannot overtake it. The correspondence was perfectly public, so public that it might have been plastered on all the walls of all the houses in Hong- kong as far as I am concerned. I leave the unofficial members who are charged with holding a secret conclave and being engaged in "secret confabulations to protect themselves from the charge. I feel sure that some of them have consulted their constituents, Dr. Ho Kar, I think, being one of them. The correspondence was perfectly public and there was no intention whatever on the part of the Government to keep it secret.

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Honourable Ho KAI-Although it is unusual, I wish, since you have given me permission, to say a few words on this, occasion. As a certain letter has been. published by an Honourable Member of this Council casting a slur upon the whole of his unofficial colleagues in this Council, I think the earliest opportunity should be taken by individual members to clear themselves in public and give the truc state of affairs in connection with this question. Your Excellency had referred this question of Light Dues to the unofficial members in the usual way.

That of