Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 31

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

1. The open space in front of the Hongkong Club being no longer used for the storage of

cement blocks, and the small railway to the Praya for the crane having been picked up, will the Government be able soon to allow the Botanical Department to open up the space for public use as a garden, as promised by Sir Henry Blake on 20th July, 1903? 2. Will it be possible this year, by dredging or otherwise, to increase the space available for small craft in the typhoon shelter at Causeway Bay, as it is much silted up at low water?

Have the Government decided on any plan for a new typhoon shelter?

3. In view of the recent fire at the Ferry Wharf, will the Government take into consideration the advisability of making improved approaches and shelters at Blake Pier and Queen's Statue Wharf?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

Mr. SHEWAN, pursuant to notice given by Mr. POLLOCK, asked the following questions :—

1. In connection with the burning of the Star Ferry matshed, will the Government kindly state how many minutes (approximately) after the commencement of the fire was the water from the mains turned on to and playing on the fire?

2. Will the Government state what is the estimated cost of establishing a system of electric fire-alarms in the City of Victoria? Does the Government propose to establish_such a system? Is it the fact that at the present time the alarm has to be given by a Police - Officer who has to leare his beat for that purpose? If so, does the Government con- sider such a system of giving the alarm satisfactory? If the Government does not consider such a system of giving the alarm satisfactory, what steps does the Government propose to take in connection with the matter?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Three hundred and thirty-one thousand six hundred and twenty-four Dollars and forty-one Cents, to defray the Charges of the Year 1903.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AMENDMENT BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Criminal Procedure Ordinance, 1899.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

ADJOURNMENT.-The Council then adjourned till the 19th July, 1904..

F. H. MAY,

Officer Administering the Government.

Read and confirmed, this 19th day of July, 1904.

S. B. C. Ross,

Clerk of Councils.