10th May, 1854.
Present
His Excellency The Governor
The Honorable The Acting Chief Justice
The Honorable the Acting Attorney General
The Honorable C. B. Hillier, Esqre
The Honorable D. Jardine, Esqre
The Honorable J. F. Edger, Esqre
The Council met today by Special Summons.
The Minutes of the last Council were read and approved.
Consideration was given to the subject of exacting a Penalty Bond from Masters of Ships leaving the Harbor of Victoria with Chinese Emigrants on board, as provided in section 59 of the "Passengers Act 1852"; and after discussing how far it would be advisable to carry out the measure in this Colony, it was decided that the subject should be brought forward for re-consideration at a subsequent meeting of the Council; but that, in the meantime a Draft Ordinance which had been prepared by the Acting Attorney General bearing on the proposed Bond, should be sent round to Members for their remarks thereon.
The Subject of amending the Law of Libel, and of introducing in the Colony certain recent English Acts of Parliament was then mooted. It was Resolved that these points should be submitted to the Acting Chief Justice for consideration, previous to their being discussed in Council.
(Signed) John Bowring
Governor
Read and approved this 23rd Day of May, 1854.
(Signed) L. d'Almada e Castro,
Clerk of Councils.