Sessional_Paper_1902 — Page 37

NOTICE OF QUESTION. Mr. PLAYFAIR gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council, he would ask the following question:-

Will the Honourable the Colonial Secretary state whether the Report of the Commission on the Public Works Department recommending an increase in the Staff had been carried out in its entirety or not? In view of Mr. Chadwick's Report that the Public Works Staff is much undermanned in every branch, both technical and clerical, and in view of the fact that the new Ordinances now before the Council will vastly increase the work and responsibilities of the Public Works Department far beyond the requirements advised by the Commission, are the Government making arrangements for a still further increase of the staff?

NATURALIZATION OF CHOY YAN AND OF SIU TIT SHANG BILLS.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of these Bills.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bills read a first time.

The Attorney General moved the Suspension of the Standing Orders, in order that the two Bills might pass through their remaining stages.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bills.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bills read a second time.

Council in Committee on the Bills.

Council resumed, and Bills reported with verbal amendments.

The Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bills. The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bills read a third time.

Question put in each case-that this Bill do pass.

Bills passed.

SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY FOR 1901 BILL.-The Colonial Treasurer moved that the Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Five hundred and fifteen thousand two hundred and twenty-five Dollars and seven Cents, to defray the Charges of the Year 1901.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Council resumed, and Bill reported without amendment.

The Colonial Treasurer 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.

WATER SUPPLY BILL.The Attorney General moved that the Council go into Committee on the Bill entitled An Ordinance to provide for and regulate the Supply of Water in the Colony of Hongkong and for the Maintenance and Repair of the Works in connection therewith.

made.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Council in Committee on the Bill, which was considered clause by clause, and several amendments

The Council then adjourned.

Read and confirmed, this 7th day of August, 1902.

R. F. JOHNSTON, Acting Clerk of Councils.

W. J. GASCOIGNE,

Officer Administering the Government.