Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 37

PAPERS.-The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the following papers:--

1. Report on the Assessment for 1904 and 1905.

2. Report by the Government Bacteriologist on Epidemic and Epizootic Plague.

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

1. Under what circumstances are Coroner's inquests dispensed with?

2. Is it the case as stated in the Public papers that a member of the community was picked up injured on Tuesday night, the 2nd August, and placed in a cell at the Police Station where he was left for the night without medical aid being called for and that he died the next day?

3. What standing instructions have the Police as to calling in medical assistance for injured

people whom they may pick up?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

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

1. Is the tree cutting at present going on on the Island of Hongkong authorised by Government? 2. If so, will the Government give its reasons for such tree cutting?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

PRESERVATION OF WILD BIRDS BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to amend The Wild Birds and Game Preservation Ordinance, 1885.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

TUNG WAH HOSPITAL BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance for enabling the Tung Wah Hospig to acquire, hold, mortgage and sell land and here- ditaments in the Colony of Hongkong.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

INTERNMENT OF REFUGEE COMBATANTS BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to regulate the Internment of Refugees belonging to the Russian and Japanese forces.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

The Attorney General addressed the Council, and moved the suspension of the Standing Orders to allow the Bill to pass through the remaining stages at that Meeting of the Council.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

The Attorney General moved the second reading of the Bill.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a second time.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Council resumed, and Bill reported without amendments.

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