Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 18

C.S.O.

328 of 1902.

C.S.0.

939 of 1902.

W. J. GASCOIGNE.

The Officer Administering the Government recoinmends the Council to vote a sum of Two hundred and fifty thousand Dollars ($250,000) in aid of the vote of $10,000 for Plague Expenses" under the heading Miscellaneous Services.

Government House, Hongkong, 21st April, 1902.

W. J. GASCOIGNE.

The Officer Administering the Government recommends the Council to vote a sum of Three thousand Dollars ($3,000) to meet the estimated cost to be incurred for illuminating certain Public Buildings in connection with the forthcoming Coronation celebrations in the Colony.

Government House, Hongkong, 22nd April, 1902

The Acting Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Acting Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee dated the 10th April, 1902, (No. 4), and moved its adoption.

The Acting 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. PROPERTY RESUMPTION AND COMPENSATION.

Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary endeavour to obtain from the Indian Government a statement or return showing (1) the conditions on which house properties, sanitary and insanitary, and land have recently been resumed in Bombay and elsewhere in India; (2) the basis on which the values of house property and land were arrived at; and (3) the basis on which the compensation paid for resumed properties and land has been arrived at; and in due course communicate the information to the Council if the Honourable Member is not now in a position to furnish the required particulars?

2.-HOUSE ACCOMMODATION—SUBORDINATE OFFICIALS.

Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary inform the Council whether the Government will take into consideration the desirability and expediency of adequately providing for the decent housing of the subordinate Officials and Employees of the Public Works, Harbour, and Sanitary Departments, and report to the Council?

3. MAP OF ROADS AND STREETS.

In anticipation of Government being asked to expose for sale Crarn Land in Hongkong and in British Kowloon or to grant leases of Land in the New Territory, and with a view to safeguarding against a repetition of the state of affairs in respect of roads, lanes and buildings as that which now exists in Hongkong and Kowloon, will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council (1) whether a clearly and well defined Map showing Roads and Streets of adequate width has been or will be prepared; (2) whether such Map will in due course be submitted to this Council; (3) when approved whether the same will be recorded officially and shall not be departed from without the sanction of the Council; and (4) whether a copy of such Map will be deposited in the Office of the Sanitary Board for the information and guidance of the Board's Officers?

4.-STREAMS, NULLAHS AND WATER-COURSES.

Will the Honourable the Director of Public Works inform the Council whether the Gor- ernment will lay down a rule or regulation to come into force on an early date to be notified, ter the effect that all streams, nullahs and water-courses in Hongkong and in British Kowloon, the property of the Crown, shall be retained as Crown property together with a margin of 50 feet on either side from the centre line of the stream or nullah now Crown property and that the said margin of 50 feet shall not be granted or devised without the sanction of this Council and that the same regulation where practicable shall apply in respect of streams, nullahs and water-courses in the New Territory leased by the Government of China to the British Government?