Report of Society's Meetings. 179 



consider all questions arising between Captains of vessels coming to 

 this Port and their Consignees. 



8.— The Stamp Duties. 



In connexion with this subject the following resolution was carried 

 and forwarded to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and the 

 Honourable Members of the Court of Policy : — 



" That this Committee recommends the abolition of the present 

 Stamp Tax on Bills of Exchange, Promissory Notes, Cheques, and 

 Receipts." 



p. — The New Opium Ordinance. 



The suggested additions to, and alterations in, the draft of the pro- 

 posed new Opium Ordinance are her'with attached, and copies of the 

 same have been forwarded to His Excellency and the Honourable 

 members of the Court of Policy to-day for their consideration and 

 approval. 



In addition to the foregoing, your Committee has had under con- 

 sideration the present state of the R oeiver General's department, 

 particularly the unnecessary and unaccountable delay experienced by 

 all parties who have occasion to pay in or receive monies. A change 

 in these matters is most urgently required. 



The necessity of having the New Hirbour Ordinance pushed through 

 without delay has also been pointed out. 



WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM, 



Hon. Secretary. 



The President said that the report showed that the 

 Committee had been very industrious and energetic. 



After some discussion, in the course of which Messrs. 

 Tinne and Julius Conrad hinted at objections to two of 

 the decisions of the Committee (sections 4 and 5), Mr. 

 Nind called attention to the fa6t that the Banks in this 

 colony were permitted to redeem their notes in silver, 

 which might give rise to great inconvenience and loss 

 under certain circumstances, and hoped the Commercial 

 Committee would use their influence to introduce a gold 

 standard. Major Walthall was glad to find that the 

 Committee had established a body co which questions be- 

 tween Masters of vessels and their consignees could be 



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