1174
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 18TH DECEMBER, 1886.
Examination
of witnessOR an oath.
134 & 35 V. c. £3, 81.1
Falreerblence
TH & 35 V. c. 53, 5. 2)
Declaration in Juu of osth.
2. The Legislative Council of the Colony and any Com- mittee thereof may administer an oath to any witness ex- amined before such Council or Committee and for that purpose shall have all such and the like powers, rights, and privileges, as are now possessed or exerciseable by the House of Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland or any Committee thereof, in respect of,—
(a.) The enforcing the attendance of witnesses,
(b.) The punishing persons guilty of contempt.
3. Any person examined as aforesaid, who wilfully gives falso evidence, shall be liable to the penalties of perjury. Auy witness to be examined under this Ordinance who, being a Christian, conscientiously objects to take an oath, may make his solemn affirmation and declaration in the words following:
"I, A. B., do solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm and declare that the taking of any oath is according to my religious belief unlawful and I do also solemnly, sincerely, and truly affirm and declare, &c." Any witness to be examined under this Ordinance who is not a Christian, may in lieu of an oath make the following Declaration which shall be duly interpreted to every such witness ignorant of the English language. 'I, A. B., do solemnly, sincerely, and truly declare that the evidence which I am about to give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.'
Any solemn affirmation and declaration or declaration alone as aforesaid shall be of the same force and effect and shall entail the same consequences as an oath taken in the usual form.
Any oath or affirmation and declaration or declaration alone as aforesaid may be administered by the presiding Member of the said Council or any Committee thereof.
Passed the Legislative Council of Hongkong, this 3rd day of December, 1886.
ARATHOON SETH, Clerk of Councila.
Assented to by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, the 14th day of December, 1886.
LS
W. H. MARSH.
FREDERICK STEWART,
Acting Colonial Secretary.
Short Title
Power to
Governor to appoint Coin- mlzsjoarra.
Power to fill Vagaveler (33 and 34 V. è 103, w. 3.)
No. 27 of 1886.
An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hong. kong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, entitled An Ordinance to enable the Governor of Hongkong to appoint Commissions under the seal of the Colony and to confer certain powers on Commissioners so appointed necessary for conducting Inquiries.
[14th December, 1886.]
BE to Legislative
it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the
follows
1. This Ordinance may be cited for all purposes as "Tho Commissioners Powers Ordinance, 1886."
2. The Governor in Council shall have power to nomi- nate and appoint Commissioners under the seal of the Colony for the purpose of instituting making and conducting any Inquiry that may be deemed advisable or necessary and for reporting thereon; and also to appoint a Secretary or Clerk to such Commissioners at such salary or remuneration as he may think fit; and in case of any vacancy occurring in the office of any Commissioner, Secretary, or Clerk so ap- pointed by reason of such Commissioner, Secretary, or Clerk dying, resigning, declining, or being or becoming incapable to net, from time to time in like manner to fill up such vacancy.