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OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
Meeting of 9th May, 1956.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR (PRESIDENT)
SIR ALEXANDER WILLIAM GEORGE HERDER GRANTHAM, G.C.M.G. HIS EXCELLENCY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY STRATTON, C.B., C.V.O., C.B.E., D.S.O. THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY
MR. EDGEWORTH BERESFORD DAVID, C.M.G.
THE HONOURABLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
MR. ARTHUR HOOTON, Q.C. (Acting).
THE HONOURABLE THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS
MR. BRIAN CHARLES KEITH HAWKINS, C.M.G., O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
MR. ARTHUR GRENFELL CLARKE, C.M.G.
THE HONOURABLE THEODORE LOUIS BOWRING, C.M.G., O.B.E.
(Director of Public Works).
DR. THE HONOURABLE YEO KOK CHEANG, C.M.G.
(Director of Medical and Health Services).
THE HONOURABLE DAVID RONALD HOLMES, M.B.E., M.C., E.D.
(Director of Urban Services).
THE HONOURABLE PATRICK CARDINALL MASON SEDGWICK
(Commissioner of Labour).
DR. THE HONOURABLE CHAU SIK NIN, C.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE CHARLES EDWARD MICHAEL TERRY, O.B.E. THE HONOURABLE LO MAN WAI, C.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE NGAN SHING-KWAN, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE DHUN JEHANGIR RUTTONJEE.
THE HONOURABLE CEDRIC BLAKER, M.C., E.D.
THE HONOURABLE KWOK CHAN, O.B.E.
DR. THE HONOURABLE ALBERTO MARIA RODRIGUES, M.B.E., E.D. MR. CHARLES RAYMOND LAWRENCE (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
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MINUTES.
The Minutes of the Meeting of Council held on 25th April, 1956, were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY, by Command of His Excellency the Governor, laid upon the table the following papers: —
Subject G.N. No.
Annual Report by the Hong Kong War Memorial Fund Committee for the year 1955.
Colonial Air Navigation Order, 1955.
Hong Kong Air Navigation (Radio) Regulations, 1956 ............... A. 30. Entertainments Tax Ordinance.
Entertainments Duty (Amendment) Regulations, 1956 ............... A.31. Dangerous Drugs Ordinance.
Dangerous Drugs (Amendment of Schedule) Order, 1956 A.32. Emergency Regulations Ordinance.
Emergency (Principal) (Amendment) Regulations, 1956 .............. A.33. Dogs and Cats Ordinance.
Dogs and Cats (Observation and Quarantine Fees) Notification, 1956 .......................................................... ........................... A.34.
Buildings Ordinance, 1955.
Building (Administration) Regulations, 1956 ............................... A.36. Buildings Ordinance, 1955.
Building (Planning) Regulations, 1956 ......................................... A.37. Buildings Ordinance, 1955.
Building (Construction) Regulations, 1956 ................................... A.38.
Stamp Ordinance.
Stamp (Bank Authorization) (No. 1) Order, 1956 ......................... A.39.
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MARINE FISH (MARKETING) BILL, 1956.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to provide for the control of the landing and wholesale marketing of marine fish, for the control of the importation and exportation thereof, for establishing a Fish Marketing Organization for encouraging co-operative markets and for matters incidental thereto."
He said: Sir, as honourable Members are aware, the present system of wholesale fish marketing, introduced in this Colony at the end of the last war, has achieved a notable measure of success. In the first place, it has provided efficient facilities—at low cost—for the wholesale marketing of marine fish, to the general benefit of producers and consumers. Moreover, the scheme played an important Dart in the rehabilitation of the fishing industry after its disruption in the last war, a role which it has continued in more recent years by promoting greatly increased landings: additionally, it has made a substantial contribution to the release of fishermen from their former crippling indebtedness to middlemen and brokers. In other fields, for example welfare and education, it has also brought benefits to the fishing community.
These successes have been achieved under an interim legislative framework, which has for a long time been recognized as inadequate. In effect, the existing legislation (consisting of Orders made in 1950 under the Defence Regulations) do no more than authorize a Government officer, the Director of Marketing, to exercise wide powers of control over the landing, movement, export and sale of marine fish, and to operate wholesale fish markets on a compulsive and exclusive basis.
The deficiency of the existing legislation is twofold: first, it confers powers and duties exclusively upon a Government servant, who—in order to carry out his functions, some of which are not properly those of a Government department, —has been obliged administratively to create a non-Government organization (the Fish Marketing Organization) which at present has no legal existence: second, the legislation is too general, on the one hand granting wide discretion and on the other affording no legal sanction for certain activities, e.g. the provision of loan schemes, which have proved to be essential. The present Bill is intended to make good these deficiencies.
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The Bill comprises two parts, part 1 dealing with the exercise of controls over the importation, export, movement and sale of fish. These are properly matters of public policy, and the various controls are therefore vested in a Government servant, the Director of Marketing.
Part 2 is designed to recognize the existing non-Government Organization which, as I have just stated, is an administrative creating. Broadly speaking, the provisions of this second part convert the existing Organization into a corporate body and provide legislative sanction for its present marketing operations and for the ancillary functions which it now performs. I invite attention to two special features in this development. Firstly, the Organization in the exercise of its functions is subject to the direction of the Governor (Part 1 Clause 6) and secondly, the Organization will be assisted, in its more routine operations, by an Advisory Board appointed by the Governor (Clause 16). These provisions are designed to ensure that Government control, where necessary, and informed public opinion are brought to bear upon the operations of the Organization.
Even with these safeguards it is possible that the Organization, acting properly within its legal powers, may give cause for complaint to individuals or even to a section of the community—e.g. certain fishermen may consider that their interests are prejudiced by the manner in which the wholesale markets are operated. To cover this eventuality the last Clause of the Bill makes provision for complaints against the decisions of the Organization to be referred to the Advisory Board, the findings of which are subject to confirmation by the Governor.
I have nothing further, Sir, to add to the Objects and Reasons, and I accordingly beg to move.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a First time.
Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows: —
Marketing systems for vegetables and fish were instituted by orders made under regulation 50 of the Defence Regulations, 1940, after the liberation of the Colony from the Japanese occupation.
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Permanent and extended provision for the marketing of vegetables was made by the Agricultural Products (Marketing) Ordinance, 1952. Whilst remaining subject to Government control the organization therein created relied on the various cooperative societies in the New Territories; and referring to these societies the Objects and Reasons of that Ordinance stated: "It is hoped that..........they will become a co-operative organization responsible for the whole of the vegetable marketing scheme. ". The wholesale marketing of fish has been developing along parallel lines, and the time is now ripe for making permanent and extended provision for this and also for overall control by Government of the fisheries industry. This is the object of the Bill.
2. The Bill is in two parts. Part I provides that the overall Government control of the industry is to be exercised through subsidiary legislation made by the Governor in Council, through a system of licences and permits and through directions given to the Fish Marketing Organization by the Governor. All marine fish is required to be landed at places specified in the regulations and to be sold wholesale only through the markets established by the Fish Marketing Organization (clause 3). The Director of Marketing is given wide powers of granting permits and licences in respect of these restrictions and of the other matters made subject to control by the Bill (clause 5). The Governor in Council may control the fisheries industry generally through regulations, and by this means may control in particular the importation and exportation of fish and the conditions under which it is marketed wholesale (clause 4). The Governor has administrative control over the Fish Marketing Organization established under Part II. This control is to be exercised by means of directions given under clause 6, which directions must be in conformity with the regulations made by the Governor in Council and with the by-laws made by the Fish Marketing Organization approved by Legislative Council. Clause 7 endows the Marketing Officer and other authorized Government servants with powers of search, seizure and arrest for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this legislation. Clause 8 empowers the Fish Marketing Organization to sell any fish seized under clause 7, and the proceeds of sale are to be forfeited to the Crown on application to a magistrate.
3. Part II of the Bill establishes a Fish Marketing Organization the powers and duties of which are designed to cover the domestic concerns of the fisheries industry with particular regard
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to wholesale marketing. Clause 9 provides that the organization shall be a corporation consisting of such person or persons as the Governor may appoint. The principal and subsidiary functions are set out in clause 11, while its powers are enumerated in clause 13. Under clause 15 the Fish Marketing Organization may make by-laws for the purpose of regulating its domestic affairs. These by laws are required to be submitted to the Governor and are subject to the approval of the Legislative Council. The financial affairs are to be ordered in accordance with the provisions of clause 14, which are very similar to those observed by the Vegetable Marketing Organization.
4. The Fish Marketing Organization is also to have an Advisory Board, which is established under clause 16. The duty of this Board is to advise both the Governor and the organization upon any matters referred to it by either of them. The Board is given the additional duty, under clause 17, of holding an inquiry in any case where an aggrieved person has required the organization to refer one of its decisions to the Board in order that it may be reviewed by the Governor with the advice of the Board.
HONG KONG AIRPORT (REGULATIONS) BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to control the user of the Hong Kong Airport."
He said: Sir, this Bill, which is a brief one, seeks to empower the Governor in Council to make regulations as provided in clause 4, for the purpose of controlling the user of the Hong Kong Airport.
Regulations have been drafted and these will be submitted to the Governor in Council at an early date.
THE COLONTAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a First time.
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Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows: —
For the safety of aircraft, vehicles and persons using an airport and for the maintenance of order at an airport it is necessary to have regulations for the guidance and regulation of aircraft, vehicles and persons using the airport. For airports in the United Kingdom, regulations to this end are made under the Military Lands Act, 1892, which does not apply to the Colonies, and there is no power under existing legislation in the Colony to make such regulations. This Bill accordingly seeks to remedy this position by empowering the Governor in Council to make regulations to control the user of the Hong Kong Airport.
DUTIABLE COMMODITIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, Chapter 109."
He said: Sir, this Bill is an amending Bill and is therefore not too easy to follow unless one has before one a copy of the principal Ordinance with which it can be collated. It is for this reason only that I propose to deal briefly with its underlying policy and to indicate the major changes which will be made in our legislation if it is passed into law. For details I would invite reference to the comprehensive "Objects and Reasons" which accompany the Bill.
The main object of the Bill and of the regulations which are being made to supplement it is to centralize and simplify the system of licensing of places for the sale of intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises.
At the moment we have three separate licensing authorities, the Board of Licensing Justices, the Secretary for Chinese Affairs and the District Commissioner, New Territories who, between them deal with the grant of five different types of liquor licenses, each one of which has its own special conditions and its own scale of fees which, in turn, vary with the situation and the rateable value of the premises.
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The Bill before Council reduces the number of licensing authorities to two Boards of licensing Justices, the first under the Chairmanship of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs will deal with all applications in the Colony excluding the New Territories but including New Kowloon while the Second under the District Commissioner, New Territories will deal with New Terrority applications. The five different types of licences are replaced by one licence which is termed a "liquor licence", but the fee for this licence will be doubled if the licensing authorities are prepared to grant permission to the licensee to keep a bar.
There will be a difference between the fees charged and the normal opening hours permitted to licensees in the New Territories and the rest of the Colony, but within these geographical divisions fees and hours will be the same for all licensed premises. The system of relating the fee to rateable value has been abandoned.
It is proposed that Clubs which supply liquor to their members should also be licensed and Clause 14 of the Bill introduces a new section into the principal Ordinance making provision for the issue of a "club liquor licence" in accordance with a form to be prescribed under the regulations.
Those are the main permanent legislative changes which will be brought about by the passage of this Bill but there are certain transitional provisions designed to facilitate the change over to the new system which require some explanation.
At present the number of licences granted by the Board of licensing Justices is rather more than a hundred a year but Chinese Restaurant Licences issued by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs number four hundred and twenty five. All these S.C.A. licences expire on the 30th June and it is manifestly desirable that the work of reissuing them as liquor licences should be more evenly distributed in subsequent years. Provision has been made, therefore, for the Chairman of the new Board to issue liquor licences to these restaurants for periods of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months so that in future their expiry dates will be spread over the four quarters of the year. It should be noted, however, that these "Chairman's licences" (if I may so describe them) may only be issued in respect of premises already licensed and may not sanction the keeping of a bar. New applications and applications for "licence with bar" raise problems which it is felt should be decided by the full Licensing Board.
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THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a First time.
Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows: —
The main object of this Bill, in conjunction with regulations to be made, is to revise and simplify the system of licensing for the sale of intoxicating liquors in the Colony, in accordance with certain of the recommendations contained in the report published in March, 1955, of a committee appointed to consider and make recommendations in regard to the licensing of public houses, hotels and restaurants for the sale of intoxicating liquors. At present under the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance, Chapter 109, (the principal Ordinance) and regulations there are five different types of licences, as follows: —publican's, restaurant adjunct, hotel-keepers adjunct, Chinese restaurant and Chinese marine restaurant. Of these, the first three types are granted by the board of licensing justices, the fourth by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs or the District Commissioner, New Territories, and the fifth by the Secretary for Chinese Affairs; the fee for a licence varies according to the type of licence and the situation or rateable value of the premises.
2. It is considered that this diversity of licences should be abolished and that, for general purposes, there should be one type of liquor licence only, to be granted by the board of licensing justices and subject to a single scale of fees. References in the principal Ordinance to the various types of licences mentioned above are accordingly replaced by the term "liquor licence" in each case.
3. Clauses 3 and 4 introduce three new sections 48, 48A and 48B relating to the constitution and functions of the boards of licensing justices. Two such boards are established, one to deal with applications in all parts of the Colony except the New Territories but including New Kowloon, and the other with applications elsewhere in the Colony. The Secretary for Chinese Affairs and the District Commissioner, New Territories, are stated to be the respective chairmen of the boards, which are required to meet at least once in each quarter.
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4. Section 52 of the principal Ordinance requires an advertisement to be made, in respect of every application for a licence, in the Gazette and in one local newspaper. This method of advertisement is considered inappropriate in the case of applications in the New Territories and this section is amended to place the choice of method of advertisement in the discretion of the board (clause 6).
5. Under section 53 of the principal Ordinance twenty householders within a radius of a quarter of a mile from premises licensed or to be licensed may appeal to the Governor in Council against the refusal or grant of an application. It is felt that the term "householders" is too restrictive, and "persons residing" is substituted therefor (clause 7).
6. Clause 8 introduces a new section 53A providing that no person may be granted more than one liquor licence. The object of this provision is to prevent a person or company owning two or more hotels or restaurants from nominating a secretary or other employee as licensee of all the licensed premises owned by that person or company. It is considered that the actual licensee of any such premises should be a person who manages or who is normally present on the premises and who is thus in a position to accept responsibility for seeing that the conditions of the licence are complied with.
7. Clause 9 in repealing and replacing section 55 of the principal Ordinance makes new provision for the issue and duration of licences.
8. Under section 56 of the principal Ordinance other premises may be substituted for the premises mentioned in a licence. It is considered that a licence should not be transferable in this manner and clause 10 amends section 56 accordingly. The term "householders" in relation to the right of appeal contained in that section is replaced by "persons residing" for the reason mentioned in paragraph 5 of these Objects and Reasons.
9. Under section 58 of the principal Ordinance temporary licences may be issued by the Accountant General for the sale of liquors at any public entertainment or on any public occasion. Clause 12 substitutes the Commissioner of Police as the licensing authority for the purposes of this section.
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10. Clause 14 introduces a new section 66A requiring clubs supplying liquor to their members to be licensed. It is provided that if liquor is supplied in contravention of this section, the secretary of the club shall be deemed to commit an offence.
11. Definitions of "board", "liquor licence" and "secretary" are added to section 47 of the principal Ordinance consequent upon the amendments contained in this Bill. The definition of "public house", a term not now used in the principal Ordinance or regulations made thereunder, is deleted (clause 2).
12. Clause 15 contains substantive transitional provisions, necessitated by the change in the system of licensing effected by this Bill.
13. A large number of existing Chinese restaurant and Chinese marine restaurant licences are due to expire on the 30th June, 1956, and some Chinese restaurant licences in the New Territories at various dates throughout the year. In order to enable the new expiry dates of these licences (renewed as liquor licences) to be distributed at suitable dates throughout the coming year and to reduce the volume of work falling on the boards at any one time, clause 16 provides that the chairman of the board may issue liquor licences in respect of premises referred to in these licences for periods to be determined by him. Proportionate fees would be payable for such liquor licences.
14. Under the new section 48 (clause 3), five members of the board are to be appointed or elected from among the unofficial justices of the peace. Clause 17 provides that the unofficial justices of the peace serving on the present board and appointed or elected under the existing section 48 shall continue in office for the remainder of the term of three years.
PEAK TRAMWAY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY moved the First reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Peak Tramway Ordinance, Chapter 304."
He said: Sir, the purpose of the Bill is set forth very briefly in the Objects and Reasons.
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It seems to have been the case that when the Peak Tramway was first constructed, short-term renewable leases of 9 years were granted to the company for the areas of land on which the intermediate stations were constructed. At a later date, somewhere round about 1925, Government policy seems to have changed, and on expiry of the then existing leases the lots were re-granted under annual permit. With the loss of many pre-war records, the reason for this change is not clear after the lapse of so many years; but it may possibly have been due to a desire on the part of Government at that time to limit its liability if it should decide to exercise its right under Section 11 of the Ordinance to purchase the undertaking.
After the war the question of the title of the company to its land was apparently overlooked, and nothing has since been paid for the use of the land on which the intermediate stations stand. An investigation of the whole question further disclosed that although the lower Peak Tram station is held by the company on lease, the upper Peak Tram station is built partly on land held on lease, and partly on Crown land.
The situation has been the subject of negotiation with the company, and agreement has now been reached. It is proposed that the whole area of land on which the upper Tram station stands shall be leased to the company. For the use of the land on which stand the intermediate stations and over which runs the permanent way, the company will pay a fee which is related to their gross traffic receipts, agreed as 5% on the first $700,000, and 10% on receipts in excess of this amount.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a First time.
Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows: —
This Bill seeks to amend the Peak Tramway Ordinance, Chapter 304, to provide for the payment by the Peak Tramway Company of a permit fee for the use of the Crown land over which the tramway is constructed, such permit fee to be a percentage of the gross tolls received by the company.
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PENSIONS (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance further to amend the Pensions Ordinance, Chapter 89."
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clauses 1 and 2 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY reported that the Pensions (Amendment) Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
ADOPTION BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to make provision for the adoption of children."
He said: Sir, with your indulgence, I would like to say something in clarification of one passage in my address upon the first reading of this Bill. I then said that, notwithstanding the provisions of the Bill which provide that the property of the adopter shall pass to the adopted person upon intestacy in the same way as to his child born in wedlock, it will continue to be desirable for persons who adopt children in this Colony to make wills providing for their adopted children, particularly if they are resident but not domiciled in the Colony. Sir, that warning I would like to repeat. However, when I last spoke I used words which might suggest that it was only important to do this if the adopter left the Colony or died leaving property outside the
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Colony. I would like to emphasize that in all cases where an adopter is not domiciled in the Colony it is important that he should make a will making express provision for his adopted children, and the importance of this is not limited to those cases where he leaves the Colony or leaves property outside the Colony. The reason is this. When a person dies, his movable property is distributed according to the law of the country in which he is domiciled, wherever that property may be and wherever he may be residing. If therefore a person who is resident but not domiciled in this Colony adopts a child and subsequently dies, distribution of his movable property will be in accordance with the law of his domicile. It is possible that the law of the country of domicile will not, for the purposes of succession, take cognisance of the provisions as to disposition of property upon death contained in this Bill. I would therefore reiterate that it is most desirable that persons who obtain adoption orders in this Colony should, particular if they are not domiciled here, make specific provision by will for their adopted children.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by Clause.
H.E. THE GOVERNOR: —Gentlemen, with your indulgence we will take the clauses of this Bill in blocks of five.
Clauses 1 to 3 were agreed to.
Clause 4.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: I rise to move that clause 4 be amended as in the paper before honourable Members.
Proposed Amendment
4. In paragraph (b) of subsection (6), leave out the words "Secretary for Chinese Affairs" and substitute the following—
“Social Welfare Officer”.
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Clause 4, as amended, was agreed to.
Clauses 5 to 16 were agreed to.
Clause 17.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —I rise to move that clause 17 be amended in accordance with the paper before honourable Members.
Proposed Amendment
17. In subsection (5), leave out the words "or “Readopted” as the case may be".
Clause 17, as amended, was agreed to.
Clause 18 was agreed to.
Clause 19.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —I rise to move that clause 19 be amended in accordance with the paper before honourable Members.
Proposed Amendments
19. In subsection (1) —
(a) leave out the words "Secretary for Chinese Affairs" in the fifth line and substitute the following—
"Social Welfare Officer";
(b) insert before the word "officer" in the seventh line the following—
"public".
Clause 19, as amended, was agreed to.
Clauses 20 to 23 and the Schedule were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Adoption Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee with minor amendments and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
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AIR ARMAMENT PRACTICE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Air Armament Practice Ordinance, Chapter 194."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clause 1.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —I rise to move that this clause be amended in accordance with the paper before honourable Members.
Proposed Amendment
1. Leave out the words "21st day of June" and substitute therefor the following—
"1st day of July".
Clause 1, as amended, was agreed to.
Clause 2 was agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Air Armament Practice (Amendment) Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee with one amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
DEFENCES (FIRING AREAS) (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Defences (Firing Areas) Ordinance, Chapter 196."
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THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clause 1.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —I rise to move that this clause be amended in accordance with the paper before honourable Members.
Proposed Amendment
1. Leave out the words "21st day of June" and substitute therefor the following—
"1st day of July".
Clause 1, as amended, was agreed to.
Clause 2 was agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Defences (Firing Areas) (Amendment) Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee with one amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
LAND TRANSACTIONS (ENEMY OCCUPATION)
(AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled “An Ordinance further to amend the Land Transactions (Enemy Occupation) Ordinance, Chapter 256.”
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
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Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clauses 1 to 3 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Land Transactions (Enemy Occupation) (Amendment) Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
TOWN PLANNING (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Town Planning Ordinance, Chapter 131."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clauses 1 to 4 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Town Planning (Amendment) Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
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PUBLIC RECLAMATIONS AND WORKS BILL, 1956.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the law relating to reclamations and other works of a public nature over and upon Crown foreshore and seabed."
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clauses 1 to 11 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Public Reclamations and Works Bill, 1956 had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed.
ADJOURNMENT.
H. E. THE GOVERNOR: —That concludes the business gentlemen. When is it your pleasure that we should meet again?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —Sir, I suggest this day fortnight.
H. E. THE GOVERNOR: —Council will adjourn to this day fortnight.