Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 13

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

(1.) Are the Government taking steps to provide for the flushing of the drains and sewers and the watering of the roads throughout the city by the construction of tanks along the upper levels either for fresh or salt water, and if the latter for the construction of the necessary pumping stations?

(2.) Are the Government taking any steps to introduce destructors for the disposal of the city

refuse?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

Mr. BELILIOS, pursuant to notice, asked the following questions

(1.) The Special Commissioner appointed to report on the newly-leased territory at the back of Kowloon having duly made such report to the Colonial Office, returned to Hongkong, and resumed his duties as Colonial Secretary, will the Government lay on the table copy of his report and of all correspondence in connection with the extension of the Colony?

(2.) Will the Government be good enough to state when and how the new territory will be taken

possession of?

(3.) Has any hitch occurred in the negotiations to cause the delay which has taken place? (4.) Will the leased area become part and parcel of the Colony of Hongkong administered by the existing officials or is it designed to appoint a separate staff of officials to govern the new territory?

(5.) If it has been decided to make it a separate administration, will the Government say whether

any estimate has been given of the cost of such undertaking?

(6.) Has the question of Chinese jurisdiction or otherwise in the City of Kowloon been settled? (7.) If Kowloon City is not included in the concession, will the Government state what steps have been taken to relieve the harbour of llongkong of the supervision of the Chinese Customs Cruisers?

(8.) Are the existing Customs stations on the borders of the Harbour to be set back to the outer

edge of the new frontier?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF DIVINE WORSHIP AND OTHER SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RITES AND CEREMONIES OF THE Church of EnglaND AT SAINT JOHN'S CATHEDRAL CHURCH AT VICTORIA AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS COLONY; FOR The Incor- FORATION OF A CHURCH BODY IN WHICH THE SAID CATHEDRAL CHURCH SHALL BE VESTED AND BY WHICH IT SHALL BE ADMINISTERED; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES CONNECTED WITH THE SAID CATHEDRAL CHURCH.-The Acting Attorney General inoved 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 AMEND AND CONSOlidate tue Law relating to Prisons.— The Acting Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question--put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

The Council then proceeded to consider the Jury List for 1899 in private.

ADJOURNMENT.-The Council then adjourned till Monday, the 13th March, 1899, at 3 p.m.

Read and confirmed this 13th day of March, 1899.

J. G. T. BUCKLE,

Clerk of Councils.

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor.