2nd June 1856.
Present:
His Excellency The Governor,
The Honorable The Lieutenant Governor,
The Honorable The Chief Justice,
The Honorable The Attorney General,
The Honorable J. F. Edger, Esquire.
The Council met to day pursuant to adjournment.
The Minutes of the last Colonial were read and approved.
The Governor stated that, pending the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government, he had appointed The Honorable William Thomas Mercer, Esquire, Colonial Secretary, to fill the vacancy in the Legislative Council, occasioned by the nomination of Mr. Hillier to the post of Her Majesty's Consul at Siam; and the officer being in attendance by special request, His Excellency administered to him the usual rather of office, and he took his seat accordingly at the Council Board.
Resolved, that the amended Draft Ordinance "for lighting the City of Victoria", be read a second time on Wednesday the 11th instant.
Resolved, that the Draft Ordinance "to regulate Chinese Burials, and to prevent certain "Nuisances within the Colony of Hong Kong", be read a second time on Wednesday the 11th instant.
Resolved, that the Draft Ordinance for the admission of candidates to the Rolls of Practitioners in the Supreme Court", be also read a second time on Wednesday the 11th instant.
His Excellency read a letter from the Acting Chief Magistrate and the Acting Assistant Magistrate, enquiring whether the penalties imposed by Section 9 of the Draft Ordinance for Chinese Burials and Nuisances, were to supersede those in Ordinance No. 14 of 1845, and further tendering to appear before the Legislative Council to state their views on the subject. It was ordered that these officers should be instructed by the Colonial Secretary to send in a written statement of those views for consideration, when the Legislative Council will decide whether an appearance is desirable.
Resolved, that this Council be summoned for Wednesday, the 11th instant, at 1 P.M.
(Singed) John Bowring,
Governor.
Read and approved
This 11th day of June 1856,
(Signed) L. d'Almada e Castro,
Clerk of Councils.