12
Legislation
THERE was a small increase in the number of Ordinances enacted in 1961 over the previous year, namely, 57 in 1961 as against 52 in 1960. In addition 152 items, some of considerable substance, of subsidiary legislation were also enacted. As is, of course, usually the case, the majority of the enactments were concerned with amending existing legislation. Space prohibits a review in detail and the following comments are intended only to draw attention to items of particular general or topical interest picked from a wide range of subjects which occupied the draftsman.
City Hall. With the construction of the new City Hall in prog- ress during the year, the question of its management arose. It was decided that the details of management should be vested in the Urban Council and that, in order to ensure the necessary powers of control, legislation would be necessary. The City Hall Ordinance, 1961, was enacted in March, followed later in the year by a set of appropriate regulations. The legislation has been framed broadly with a view to allowing as great a degree of flexibility in the management of the City Hall as possible.
Marine Insurance. Early in June, the Marine Insurance Ordin- ance, 1961, was enacted. Prior to the introduction of this measure the law applicable to marine insurance in the Colony was common law, but those concerned with, marine insurance have for many years adopted as a matter of practice the provisions of the United Kingdom Marine Insurance Act of 1906, and the need for a statutory codification of the law has been recognized for some time. The Ordinance in the main follows the United Kingdom provisions and has the effect of removing any doubt that may have existed as to the provisions which apply to a policy of marine insurance now effected in Hong Kong.
Compulsory Service. During the year, it was decided to terminate the manning of the auxiliary forces by compulsory service and to rely upon voluntary service in the true sense. A short Ordinance entitled the Compulsory Service (Amendment)