Sessional_Paper_1909 — Page 59

RESOLUTION.Mr. STEWART, pursuant to notice, addressed the Council and moved the following Resolution:---

That in the opinion of this Council the issue of a new subsidiary coinage convertible at par would not be successful unless the use of all other subsidiary coins were prohibited in the Colony, and that, in the circumstances, it is undesirable to deal with the matter except as part of a comprehensive scheme of local cur- rency reform.

Mr. HEWETT addressed the Council and seconded.

Mr. OSBORNE and His Excellency the Governor addressed the Council, and the Resolu- tion was subsequently withdrawn.

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

(1.) Is it a fact that, in the original instance, the postponement of the King's Birth- day Celebrations was ordered by the Secretary of State without any previous reference of the matter to, or consultation with, the Government of this Colony?

(2.) If so, will the Government convey to the Secretary of State a respectful intima-

tion that such treatment is resented in the Colony?

(3.) In view of the fact that the well known date of the birthday of His Britannic Majesty was chosen for the obsequies of the late Dowager Empress of China some weeks ago, and that up to last Friday the Secretary of State gave no sign that he considered that the claims of the latter over-rode those of the former in this British Colony, has the Government any information as to the reason for this sudden change of attitude?

The Colonial Secretary replied.

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

Is it necessary to the work on the Post Office that the plot of Government Land between the Law Courts and the Praya should be largely occupied as work- men's dwellings?

Low many people are housed nightly in the quarters which the Contractor is allowed to maintain there, and what rent, if any, does he draw from their occupation? Are all the people housed there engaged in work on the Post Office?

And are we to understand that the public may be asked to put up with the nuisance created by the condition of the plot in question for the year or more during which the Post Office will be in course of construction?

The Director of Public Works replied.

CHRISTIAN BURIAL GROUND BILL.-The Attorney General moved the Third reading of the Bill entitled An Ordinance to set apart certain Crown Land to be used as a burial ground for persons professing the Christian Religion.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Question-put and agreed to.

Bill read a third time.

Question put-that this Bill do pass.

Bill passed.

HARBOUR OF REFUGE BILL.-The Attorney General moved that the Bill entitled An Ordinance to authorize the Construction and Maintenance of a Harbour of Refuge upon and over certain portions of the Sea Bed and Foreshore situated upon the Harbour frontage at Taikoktsui, Mongkoktsui, and Yaumati, Kowloon, in this Colony, should be recommitted.

The Colonial Secretary seconded.

Council in Committee on the Bill.