Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 22

No. 25$7 of

1994.

No. 619 of

1908.

F. D. LUGARD

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Three thousand Dollars ($3,000) in aid of the vote, Miscellaneous Services, Purchase of Transvaal Emigra- tion Depôt for Quarantine Station.

Government House, Hongkong, 7th May, 1908.

F. D. LUGARD.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Six hundred and thirty Dollars ($630) in aid of the vote, Police and Prison Departments, A.-Police, for the following items :-

Other Charges,

Language Bonus,

$150

Language Study Allowance (Punjabi) to Assistant

Superintendent,

180

Total,

$630

No. 5337 of 19005,

Government House, Hongkong, 8th May, 1908.

F. D. LUGARD.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Ninety Dollars ($90) in aid of the vote, Education, Department of Inspector of Schools, Saiyingpun Anglo- Chinese School, Other Charges, Language Study Allowance (Chinese) to Head Master.

Government House, Hongkong, 9th May, 1908.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, The Colonial Secretary, by command of His Excellency the Governor, laid on the table the Report of the Finance Committee, dated the 30th April, 1908, and moved its adoption.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

BASEMENT BYE-LAWS.-The Colonial Secretary moved the adoption of the Bye-laws made by the Sanitary Board under Section 16 of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, 1903, (Ordinance No. 1 of 1903), on the 17th day of March, 1908, in substitution for the Basement Bye-laws 1 and 2 contained in Schedule B of the aforesaid Ordinance.

The Attorney General seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

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

1. Is it true that His Majesty's Government has announced in the House of Com- mons an intention of issuing immediately to the Government of this Colony orders to close all opium houses forthurith?

2. Did the Imperial Government communicate this intention to the Colonial Govern- ment before making the announcement; if so, how long before; and why was information of such capital importance to the Colony withheld from members of this Council?

3. Has the Government now any explanation to offer, or any information to impart,

on this subject?

His Excellency the Governor replied.