After a long interval, a meeting of the Legislative Council was held on the 20th inst. The Colonial Secretary (who is still under canvas at Taipohu) was absent, Mr. Whitehead gave notice of a series of ques-us he intends to put next meeting, {dealing with the disbursements in connection with head of Sundry Expenses' believe, in the Beaconsfield," which appear under the
Estimates; asking for a statement of the total expenditure incurred in connection with the new territory; what steps have been taken to bring the Police Force up to requirements and what arrangements have been made, in accordance with the Convention of 20th June, 1898, for the better protection of the Chinzee revenue from loss by smuggling of opium from Hongkong into China. Mr. Belilios asked a string of questions dealing with the collection of duties by and for the Chinese Customs. These questions have already been virtually answered by the Government replying to questions ud Jressed to it by the Chamber of Commerce, when it was announced that the Customs would be allowed to remain at certain of their stations until, but not later than October, in order to give time for them to make arrangements for their accommodation on the Chinese frontier. The hon. member also gave notice of hia intention to ask what change or progress has been made in the treatment. of plague patients in the colonial hospitals since the first epidemic in 1894. A Bill entitled The Piers' Ordinance, 1899" for the purpose of increasing the rents of piers_and wharves and making regulations for the traffic was then ree first time. Mr. Whitehead moved its rejection as a violation of existing rights: This was seconded by Mr. Chater, but it was eventually read, and Mr: Keswick then moved, on behalf of the Hongkong and Kowloon Wharf and Go-dow Ca., that they should be allowed to be heard by Counsel, and promised to send in a petition setting forth the reasons for opposing this Bill. Certain other Bills were read a first time, and an Ordinance to consol lidate laws relating to Criminal Procedure in the Supreme Court was considered in Committee, read a third time, and passed.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.