CHARTER OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG.
165
Governor is strictly to observe the directions in that behalf given to him by any instructions as aforesaid.
XVI. Whenever the office of Governor is vacant, or if the Governor succession to become incapable, or be absent from the Colony, our Lieutenant-Governor Government. of the Colony, or if there shall be no such officer therein, then such
person or persons as we have appointed or may hereafter appoint under our sign manual and signet, and in default of any such appointment, the person lawfully discharging the functions of Colonial Secretary, shall, during our pleasure, administer the government of the Colony, first taking the oaths Proviso. Oaths herein before directed to be taken by the Governor and in the manner of Office. herein prescribed; which being done, we do hereby authorize, empower, and command our Lieutenant-Governor, or any other such administrator Powers &c., of as aforesaid, to do and execute, during our pleasure, all things that belong to the office of Governor and Commander-in-chief, according to the tenor of these our Letters Patent, and according to our instructions as aforesaid, and the laws of the Colony.
Administrator,
and assist GoTM
XVII.-And we do hereby require and command all our officials and officers and ministers, civil and military, and all other the inhabitants of the Colony, others to ober to be obedient, aiding and assisting unto the Governor and to any person vernor. for the time being administering the Government of the Colony.
XVIII. In these our Letters Patent the term "the Governor" shall Term "Gover- include every person for the time being administering the government of nor" explained. the Colony.
XIX. And we do hereby reserve to ourselves, our heirs and successors, Power reserved full power and authority, from time to time, to revoke, alter, or amend to Her Majesty these Letters Patent as to us or them shall seem meet.
to revoke, alter, or amend present Letters Patent.
XX.--And we do further direct and enjoin that these our Letters Publication of Patent shall be read and proclaimed at such place or places within the Letters Patent, Colony as the Governor shall think fit.
In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Witness ourself at Westminster, the nineteenth day of January,
Patent.
in the Fifty-first year of our Reign.
By Warrant under the Queen's Sign Manual,
MUIR MACKENZIE.
VICTORIA R.
ber, 1883.
Additional instructions to our Governor an | Commander-in-chief in and Dated 8th Decem-
over our colony of Hongkong and its dependencies, and our Lieutenant Governor or other officer for the time being administering the Govern- ment of our said colony.
dated 5th April,
183.
Given at our Court at Windsor, this eighth day of December,
1883, in the forty-seventh year of our reign. Whereas by certain letters patent under the Great Seal of our United Recites Charter Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date the fifth day of April, 1843, we did erect our island of Hongkong and its dependencies into the colony of Hongkong, and did direct and appoint that, in addition to the Governor, the Legislative Council of the colony should be composed of such public officers within the colony, or of such other persons within the same, as should from time to time be named or designated for that purpose by us by any instructions or warrants to be by us, for that purpose, issued under our sign manual and signet, and with the advice of our Privy Council.
April, 1877.
And whereas, by certain instructions under our sign manual and Recites Instruc- signet, bearing date the 9th day of April, 1877, we dil direct and appoint tion dated 9th that our said Legislative Council should consist of certain officers and persons, as in the XIIth Article of our said instructions is more particularly set forth.
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