Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 6

10

C.S.0.

202 of 1900.

HENRY A. BLAKE.

The Governor recommends the Council to re-vote the following sums being unexpended balances of the Votes for 1899 under the beading "Extraordinary Public Works

"7

1. Public Works Department Store,

2. Disinfector Station, &c.,

3. Public Latrines,.

4. City of Victoria, Water Works, &c.,

5. Quarters for Gaol Staff,...

6. Electric Lighting Government House,

+

7. Pokfulum Conduit Road,

...

*

..$4,064.86 1,597.84

5,000.00

19,637.26

4,000.00

685.50

3,768.74

Total,...

$38,754.20

C.5.0.

2895 of 1899,

C.S.0.

138 of 1900.

Government House, Hongkong, 30th January, 1900.

HENRY A. BLAKE.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Eight thousand and Two hundred Dollars ($8,200) to meet the expenditure for extending the large storm-water nullah at Yau- mati, north of the Pumping Station.

Government House, Hongkong, 6th February, 1900.

HENRY A. BLAKE,

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Seven thousand Dollars ($7,000) (Extension.) to cover expenses incurred in the New Territory for the current year.

Government House, Hongkong, 9th February, 1900.

The Attorney General 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 Committee dated the 3rd January, 1900, (No. 1).

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

(1.) Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary lay upon the table a copy of the general instructions received from the Secretary of State under which Crown Leases were granted

to the Lee Hing Company for the dredging and collection of shells in and around Ping Chau Island in the New Territory as stated by him in Council on 14th December last, and a copy of the said Leases?

(2.) Will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council of the cause of the prolonged delay in constructing the shelter for the Chinese Chair Coolies at Victoria Gap -the upper terminus of the Peak Tramway, and whether this urgently needed work cannot be proceeded with without further delay?

(3.) Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary lay on the table a copy of the correspondence

which has passed since May, 1899, between the Colonial Office and the Hongkong Govern ment, also a copy of the letter, dated 15th September last, from the Jubilee Committee here to the Secretary of State for the Colonies and a copy of the latter's reply thereto, in con- nection with the road proposed in 1897, to be constructed round the Island to commemorate the 60th year's reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria?

The Acting Colonial Secretary replied to the first and last questions.

The Director of Public Works replied to the second question.

CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR FUND.-The Acting Colonial Secretary moved that the Orders of the Day be suspended, and moved the following resolution :-

"That this Council devote the sum of $50,000 as a contribution towards the South African War Fund at present being raised by the Lord Mayor of London, and that the distribution and allocation of the said sum be left wholly to the discretion of the adminis- trators of the fund.”

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Mr. CHATER addressed the Council supporting the resolution.

Mr. WHITEHEAD addressed the Council.

Dr. Ho KAI addressed the Council.

Mr. BELILIOs addressed the Council. His Excellency addressed the Council. Question--put and agreed to unanimously.