On Sunday last, the Sth inst., the Roman Catholic community of Hongkong celebra-tol the Pontifical Jubilee of Pope Leo XIII, who is 92 years of age, and has been head of the Church of Rome for twenty-five years. High Mass was held at the R. ©. Cathe-Aral, whick had been decorated for the ocension; there was also a special musical service, the choir being assisted by ama-tours, In the evening Bishop Pinzzoli held a reception, at which the band of the 33rd Burma Infantry played selections of music. The Cathedral and grounds sere illuminated, and several private residences were also lighted up with lanterns.
The Legislative Council met on the 9th instant, wh Governor made an address reviewing the course of affitirs during his absence of some nine months from the Colony. He then referred to the recommendations inde the sanitary experts fo the better sanitation of the city, and said by had placed th of $100,000 on the Estimates for the pose of resumption of properties and pensation for the ensuing year, The Sec'etary of State hid approved the purchase of a site or the Praya for the erect of a new Psst Office, and a sum of $20,00 for the preparation of the foundations had been placed on the Estimates, and he hoped "that ina short time the Colony would have the benefit of this much-needed improvement." The ordinary revenue for 1903 was estimated at $4,583,295, nnd the ordinary expenditure at $4,714,501, leaving a deficit of $131,206. Ti addition to this, the estimated expenditure upon extra: ordinary Public Works amounts to $931,100, while the estimated revenue from land sales ix $350,000, leaving a further deficit of $581,100. The total deficit to be made good is therefore $712,306. He proposed, Subject to the sanction of the Secretary of Slate, to raise a loan on account of productive Public Works, the total cost of which has been estimated by the Director of Public Works at two and a-half million dollars, the expenditure to be spread over five or six years. To meet interest on loan, additional military contribution, and to allow for a necessary surplus of $71,004. a total of $308,280 has to be provided, and this the Governor to poses to raise by an increase in spirit, illard, auctioneers', Chinese undertakers', and money-changers' licences, in stamp duties, bills of h ~'stration of deeds, examination of masters, vte., etc. After Messrs. Dickson & Playfair had asked questions anent the recent collapses of houses, and received replies, the Land and Public Works committees were appointed, and a number of Bills were read a first time and the Council then adjourned.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.