Sessional_Paper_1908 — Page 46

No. 652 of

1908.

F. D. LUGARD.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of Six thousand eight hundred Dollars ($6,800) in aid of the vote, Public Works, Recurrent, for the following items:-

Buildings.

Maintenance of Buildings,

.$3,000

Communications.

Maintenance of Telegraphs,

3,000

Maintenance of Telegraphs in New Territories,

800

Total,

$6,800

No. 4869 of

1908.

Government House, Hongkong, 19th September, 1908.

F. D. LUGARD.

The Governor recommends the Council to vote a sum of One hundred dollars ($100) in aid of the vote, Colonial Secretary's Department and Legislature, Other Charges, Newspapers, Periodicals, &c.

Government House, Hongkong, 21st September, 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 6th August, 1908, and moved its adoption.

The Colonial Treasurer seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

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

Draft Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure for the year 1909.

Report on the Assessment for the year 1908-1909.

Abstract shewing Differences between the Estimates of Expenditure for 1908 and

1909.

Financial Statements in connection with the Estimates for 1909.

Report on the Typhoon of 27th-28th July, 1908.

Report of the Director of Public Works for the year 1907.

RESOLUTIONS.-Mr. STEWART addressed the Council and moved the following Resolu-

tions:

1. That in the opinion of this Council the reasons given in the House of Commons on 28th July, by the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, in explanation of the peremptory nature of the order issued to Your Excellency on the 6th May are unsatisfactory.

Mr. WEI YUK seconded.

His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council.

Council divided on the Resolution which was declared lost, seven members voting against and five-Dr. Ho KAI, Mr. WEI YUK, Mr. GRESSON, Mr. STEWART and Mr. SLADE for the Resolution.

2. That the members of this Council regret the recent action of the Building Authority in instituting on a large scale criminal proceedings against property owners for failure to comply with the requirements of the law under circumstances which, in the majority of cases, rendered compliance impracticable.

Mr. SLADE seconded.

The Director of Public Works and Mr. GRESSON addressed the Council,

Council divided on the Resolution which was declared lost, seven members voting against and five-Dr. Ho Kai, Mr. WEI YUK, Mr. GRESSON, Mr. STEWART and Mr. SLADE — for the Resolution.