Sessional_Paper_1907 — Page 17

2. Will the Government say what steps have been taken towards improving the Rick-

sha service, in view of what was stated in this Council on 7th June, 1906 ?

4. Will the Government state how long telegraphic communication with Gap Rock

has been interrupted?

5. In view of the approaching typhoon season will the Government take steps to have

the cable repaired at an early date?

The Colonial Secretary, the Captain Superintendent of Police, and the Director of Public Works replied.

QUESTIONS.-Dr. Ho KAI gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council he would ask the following questions :-

1. What steps does the Government propose to take, and when, in regard to carrying out the recommendations of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance Commission?

2. If the Government does not propose to carry out the recommendations of the Commission in toto, which of such recommendations does the Government propose not to carry out?

3. Will the Government make a statement of what they propose to do with regard to

the recommendations of the Commission?

BILLS OF EXCHANGE (AMENDMENT) BILL.The Attorney General moved that Council resolve itself into a committee of the whole Council to consider the Bill entitled An Ordin- ance to amend the Bills of Exchange Ordinance, 1885.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Council in Committee on the Bill.

Council resumed.

HONGKONG AND SHANGHAI BANKING CORPORATION BILL.-The Attorney General moved the first reading of a Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorise the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation from time to time to increase the Capital of the said Corporation from the sum of Ten Millions of Dollars to a sum not exceeding the sum of Twenty Millions of Dollars; and to continue incorporated for a further term of 21 years; and to continue in force for a further period of 21 years the provisions of Section 3 of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ordinance, 1899, with regard to the Excess Issue of Bills and Notes payable to bearer on demand.

The Colonial Secretary seconded, Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a first time.

SUPPLEMENTARY APPROPRIATION BILL.The Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the Appropriation of a Supplementary Sum of Four hundred and seventy-seven thousand eight hundred and forty-nine Dollars and fifty- three Cents, to defray the Charges of the Year 1906.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded,

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put-that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

SUPREME COURT VALIDATING BILL.-The Attorney General moved the third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to remove doubts as to the validity of the proceedings of the Supreme Court of this Colony during the time that ALFRED GASCOYNE WISE Esquire held the office of Puisne Judge of such Court from the 25th day of June 1902 down to the present time.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question--put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put-that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.