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venture to state that in no other corner of British territory were those expressions more spontaneous and sincere in their utterance, or more practical proof of their sincerity furnished, than in this remote Colony of Hongkong.

Gentlemen, I am proud of the loyalty of this community; and it will always be a pleasing reminiscence of my life that I had the privilege of representing our august Sovereign in Hongkong on that occasion. I trust that you will continue to co-operate with the Imperial Government for the defence and maintenance of that immense Empire, of which this Colony is a small but not unimportant part.

In conclusion, I thank you for your patient hearing. I have endeavoured to illustrate, in the course of my remarks, a marked progress during the last six years-financial, commercial, industrial, and social-a progress upon which the Secretary of State for the Colonies in a recent despatch was pleased to comment in favourable terms, and which the result of a comparison between the Hongkong of 1891 and the Hongkong of to-day places beyond all doubt.

I appreciate the enterprising spirit of the community which has contributed to that result, and I trust that I have not failed in the fulfilment of my desire to encourage that spirit and to promote that enterprise.

I thank you, Gentlemen, for your co-operation in the past, and I rely on a continuance of your loyal support and valuable assistance during the remainder of my term of office. It is a source of gratification to me that I have been connected with this Colony during a period of prosperity. I need hardly say that I contemplate my approaching departure with regret, and whilst I feel assured that I shall take away with me an expression of your good-will, I trust that I may also have gained, in some degree, the confidence and respect of the entire community.

COUNCIL CHAMBER,

Hongkong, 25th October, 1897.

Mr. CHATER also addressed the Council.

WILLIAM ROBINSON.

STANDING COMMITTEES.-His Excellency appointed the following Committees:-

(a) Finance Committee,-

The Colonial Secretary, Chairman.

All the Members of Council, except the Governor.

(b) Law Committee,-

The Attorney General, Chairman.

Honourable J. J. BELL-IRVING.

Honourable HO KAI.

Honourable E. R. BELILIOS.

Honourable WEI YUK.

(c) Public Work Committee,-

The Director of Public Works, Chairman.

The Colonial Treasurer.

Honourable C. P. CHATER.

Honourable E. R. BELILIOS.

Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO APPLY A SUM NOT EXCEEDING TWO MILLIONS THREE HUNDRED AND FORTY-THREE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY DOLLARS TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE OF THE YEAR 1898. The Colonial Secretary moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE CHINESE EXTRADITION ORDINANCE, 1889.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.