Sessional_Paper_1899 — Page 38

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, No. 12.

THURSDAY, 24TH AUGUST, 1899.

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PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR

(Sir HENRY ARTHUR BLAKE, G.C.M.G.).

His Excellency Major-General WILLIAM JULIUS GASCOIGNE, C.M.G., General Officer Commanding. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, (JAMES HALDANE STEWART LOCKHART, C.M.G ).

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the Acting Attorney General, (HENRY EDWARD POLLOCK).

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

the Colonial Treasurer, (ALEXANDER MACDONALD THOMSON),

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

the Director of Public Works, (ROBERT DALY ORMSBY).

CATCHICK PAUL CHATER, C.M.G.

Ho KAI, M.B., C.M.

THOMAS HENDERSON WHITEHEAD.

EMANUEL RAPHAEL BELILIOS, C.M.G.

JAMES JOHNSTONE KESWICK.

WEI YUK.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last Meeting, held on the 8th August, 1899, were read and confirmed. PAPERS. The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers :-

1. Report of the Subsidiary Coinage Committee.

2. Returns of the Superior and Subordinate Courts for 1898.

3. Despatches and Other Papers relating to the Extension of the Colony of Hongkong. FINANCIAL MINUTE.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following Financial Minute, (No. 12), and moved that it be referred to the Finance Committee :-

€.8.0. Confidential

HENRY A. BLAKE.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Ninety-one thousand and Five 33 of 1899. hundred Dollars ($91,500) to cover the cost of Steam-launches for the use of the New Territory.

Government House, Hongkong, 16th August, 1899.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

NOTICE OF QUESTIONS-Mr. WHITEHEAD gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would ask the following questions:-

(1.) Has the attention of the Honourable the Colonial Secretary been directed to a leading article in the "China Mail" of Wednesday, August 9th, and will the Honourable Member inform the Council:-

(1a.) Is it the intention of the Government to appoint a Commission to enquire into and report on the alleged land jobbery in the Colony's recently acquired territory, referred to in the said article and widely and publicly spoken about? (2.) Was the late Tung Cheong entrusted by the Government on or about the 17th April last with certain Government Proclamations to be conveyed into the New Territory to be posted and placarded in the various villages and towns therein? (3.) If so, under whose direction did the deceased undertake the mission without an

armed escort?

(4.) Is it true that on the said mission at or near the village of Ün Long on 17th or

18th April last the said Tung Cheong was foully and brutally murdered? (5.) What remuneration, if any, has been paid to the deceased's family?