# COMMITTEE, 1863
Jas. J. MACKENZIE, Esq., Chairman.
C. F. STILL, Esq., Vice-Chairman.
H. NOBLE, Esq.
A. F. HEARD, Esq.
H. B. GIBB, Esq.
Jas. PURDON, Esq.
RUSTOMJEE DHUNJEESHAW, Esq.
T. G. LINSTEAD, Esq.
1. WIESE, Esq.
# MINUTES of a Half-yearly General Meeting of the Members of the HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, held on Monday, the 16th November, 1863.
Present,--Messrs. J. J. MACKENZIE, C. F. STILL, G. Blakeway, E. C. Smith, R. Brand, JAMES PURDON, W. ORMISTON, H. Noble, T. G. Linstead, L. Wiese, C. W. MURRAY, R. DHUNJHESIAW, E. HALTON and R. ROWETT.
Mr. J. J. MACKENZIE in the Chair.
The Secretary having read the minutes of the last General Meeting of the Members of the Chamber, which was held on the 26th of May last, they were confirmed.
The Chairman laid before the Meeting the subjoined report embodying the various subjects which had engaged the attention of the Committee during the half-year ending on the 31st October, and the Secretary having read it, Mr. C. W. Murray, referring to the introduction of a Bankruptcy Law suitable to the requirements of the Colony, stated that the draft ordinance had been referred to a Sub-Committee of the Legislative Council. As it stood there were some points on which it failed to meet the circumstances of the Colony—as for instance in not making any provision for the case of insolvents, who, while largely indebted in Hongkong, might possess considerable property in the Treaty ports, but which would be beyond the reach of their creditors.
The Audited accounts for the half-year were next laid before the Meeting. With respect to the Legal Fund, the limitation to subscribers only, of pecuniary assistance from it, was moved by Mr. Halton, on behalf of Mr. Macandrew, absent through indisposition, in the following resolution.
“That it be an instruction to the Committee not to appropriate any portion of this fund to conducting cases in which non-subscribers here or at Shanghai appear as principals, without previous reference to the subscribers, and the assent obtained of a majority of them.”
After some discussion, not being seconded it was lost.
The Maximum scale of Commissions, prepared by the Committee, which had been previously circulated among the Members of the Chamber, was then brought before the Meeting, and the several suggestions which had been made by them in regard to it were fully discussed. A few slight amendments having been adopted, the scale was finally agreed to. The proposed changes in the Rules and Bye-Laws of the Chamber were read by the Secretary and having been considered seriatim, were unanimously carried.
The following Gentlemen desirous of becoming Members of the Chamber, viz:—
Mr. F. D. WILLIAMS,
Proposed by Mr. MACKENZIE, seconded by Mr. PURDON.
MR. V. KRESSER.
Proposed by Mr. NOBLE, seconded by Mr. STILL.
MR. W. C. CURRIE.
Proposed by Mr. MACKENZIE, seconded by Mr. NOBLE.
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