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in opposition to the Bill. To this condition the Directors
would willingly assent.
In connection with this subject I am desired
to refer to the Parliamentary report contained in the Times
Newspaper (Mail Edition) of the 21st February last from
which His Excellency will see that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
has brought forward in the House of Commons a Bill (intituled
apparently the "Companies Memorandum of Association" Bill)
and stated that it had been prepared in accordance with the
unanimous recommendation of the above mentioned Select
Committee (which sat, as appears from what Sir Michael Hicks
Beach said, under the eminent presidency of Lord Herschell,
an ex Lord Chancellor). Sir Michael Hicks-Beach further
stated that the object of the measure was to enable Companies
with the leave of the Court to alter their Memoranda of
Association. I am further desired to refer to the same paper
in its issue of the 28th February last from which His
Excellency will see that the Bill in question was read a 2nd
time and referred to the standing Committee on Trade.
The plan which the Directors advocate has
been brought forward in Singapore.
In the Straits Settlements Government Gazette
of the 21st March 1890, at p.616, a notice will be found
inserted on behalf of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company Limited
of that Company's intention to apply for an Ordinance
cancelling one clause and adding to another clause of the
Company's Memorandum of Association.
Firmly convinced as the Directors are that
the extension of powers suggested by the proposed Ordinance
would