5th March 1856.
Present:
His Excellency The Governor,
The Honorable The Lieutenant Governor,
The Honorable The Chief Justice,
The Honorable The Attorney General,
The Honorable C. B. Hillier, Esquire,
The Honorable J. F. Edger, Esquire.
The Council met to day pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Council were read and approved.
Read a second time, and passed, the Consular Ordinance, entitled "An Ordinance to declare the Law respecting the Distribution of Estates of Insolvents at the Five Parts in China", being No. 1 of 1856, which was ordered to be published in the next Government Gazette.
Read a second time, and passed, the Ordinance entitled "An Ordinance relating to Wills "suade by Chinese People", being No. 4 of 1856, which was ordered to be published in the next Government Gazette.
The proposed Ordinance "for the Amendment of Procedure in Civil and Criminal cases" was laid on the table for a second reading, and discussed. It was then agreed that the discussion of its provisions be resumed on Wednesday next, the 12th instant.
Read a first time Draft Ordinance "to extend to this Colony certain Enactments and General "Orders for reforming Procedure in the High Court of Chancery, and the Offices thereof", which was ordered to be printed, and copy sent to each Member previous to the next Meeting of Council.
The Council then adjourned till Wednesday next, the 12th instant at one o'clock precisely.
(Singed) John Bowring,
Governor
Read and approved
this 17th day of March 1856,
(Signed) L. d'Almada e Castro,
Clerk of Councils.