Decided to reply that the Council will give the amount named.
Volunteers ~Commission.—Letter from Major Holliday submitted, enclosing one from captain Dallas, S.V. Artillery, i ing that Sergeant Rex has been el second Lieutenant in place of Lieutenant Boyd resigned, and asking the Council to confirm the election.
Decided to do so. A commission for second Lieutenant Rex is then signed, and ordered to be forwarded to the Commandant.
Government Ground Rent on Roads.—Letter from the Senior Consul submitted, forwarding copy of a despatch from the Taotai, calling attention of non-payment of Government ground rent on roads, and requesting the Board of Consuls to instruct the Council to make payment of arrears and to continue to pay the tax as accrued. Draft reply is submitted, drawing the attention of the Board of Consuls t" the fact that in the original Regulations of 1845 provision was made for tie supersession of Government roads, which pay no taxes, by wider roads for the accommodation of dwellers in the Settlements, further that the areca expressed in many title deeds includes half the roads, and that in such instances taxes are and always been paid. The attention of the Board of Consuls is also invited to the fact that in 1873 the whole subject was carefully investigated by a Committee of the Consular Body, isting of Messrs. Medhurst, Schlick and Lueder, with the result that it was decided to refer'the matter to Ministers at Peking, with a view to procure the assent of the Chinese Government to the principle of exempting roads from taxation, and it is suggested that before any further is taken, it would be desirable to make a reference to Peking to hear whether any progress has been made towards a settlement of the question. The Draft reply is adopted and decided to be forwarded to the Senior Consul.
Firewells.—Measurement of water in wells on the Srd inst, is submitted Meascmexesr or Waren tx Fnewetis 1 Tax Exouse 'a8 Hosokew Serrurua
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.