224
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 20TH APRIL, 1872.
His Excellency lays on the Table the following Despatch from the Secretary of State :-
"HONGKONG.
"No. 20.
!!
"DOWNING STREET, 8th February, 1872.” SIR,-I have informed you by a Telegram sent this day, that it is expected that "SIR ARTHUR KENNEDY, who succeeds you in the Government of Hongkong, would leave "Southampton on the 28th instant to relieve you.
"I am glad to have been thus enabled to meet your wishes as to your departure from the "Colony.
"I avail myself with pleasure of this opportunity of recognizing the vigour and ability "with which you have administered the Government of the Colony.-I have the honour to bë,
Sir, your most obedient humble Servant,
66
"Governor
"SIR R. G. MACDONNELL, K.C.M.G., C.B.,"
&c."
"Sc.,
&c.,
"KIMBERLEY."
His Excellency states that since the last Meeting of the Council he had received a Telegraphic Despatch from the Secretary of State, of the 2nd instant, directing postponement of Legislation on the Reconstruction of the Courts and Procedure, until the return of Mr. PAUNCEFOTE, who was at work on the subject. Accordingly, the two Bills providing for such Legislation, (which were read a first time at the last Meeting of the Council on the 25th March last) are postponed. The Bill for the more effectual Prevention of Crime is brought forward for the second reading.
The Honorable the Acting Chief Justice, by request of His Excellency, explains the provisions of the Bill.
Debate ensues.
After which, the Bill is read a second time.
On going into Committee upon the Clauses of the Bill, it is moved by the Honorable WILLIAM KESWICK, and unanimously agreed to,-that consideration of the Bill be postponed till the Police Commission, which is now taking evidence upon many points connected with the subject of the Bill, shall have sent in their Report.
Read a first time a Bill to give to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Company certain extended Powers.
His Excellency explains the provisions of the Bill.
Whereupon, it is moved by the Honorable the Acting Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Honorable the Acting Chief Justice, and unanimously agreed,-that, as there are no amend- ments whatever, the Standing Orders be suspended, and the Bill be carried through its several stages at the present sitting of the Council.
The Bill is then read a second time, committed and passed,-bearing the Title of “An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to amend Ordinance No. 5 of 1866, and to give to the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Company certain extended Powers,"-being "No. 1 of 1872."
The Bill to prevent certain Nuisances is read a second time, and the Council goes into Committee upon
the Clauses of the Bill, which are discussed Clause by Clause, and amended.
In the course of revision it is moved by the Honorable PHINEAS RYRIE, and seconded by the Honorable the Acting Chief Justice, that Section III,-which had been renumbered and made Section V,-be struck out.
Question put and negatived.
At the suggestion of the Honorable the Acting Chief Justice a new Clause is introduced providing for Appeals in certain cases, which is agreed to, and ordered to stand as Section VI. The Bill having gone through Committee, is adopted by the Council and passed,-bearing the Title of "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to prevent certain Nuisances,"-being "No. 2 of 1872.”
The Bill for the Oral Examination of Prisoners is read a second time.
The Honorable the Acting Attorney General, by His Excellency's request, explains the provisions of the Bill.
The Bill is then discussed in Committee, amended and passed,-bearing the Title of "An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to provide for the Oral Examination of Prisoners,”-being "No. 3 of 1872.”
The Bill to provide for the Trial and Punishment of Offenders found at large within the Colony, in violation of any Conditional Pardon, (which was read a first time at the last Meeting of the Council), is withdrawn by His Excellency's Command, on the ground that sufficient powers already exist by Ordinance to deal with such Offences.