by majority.
30.-All questions proposed for debate in the Legislative Council shall be decided by the majority of votes, and the Governor or the Member presiding shall have an original vote in common with the other Members of the Council, as also a casting vote, upon any question the votes shall be equal.
31. On a division, the votes shall be taken by the Clerk. The roll of Members present shall be read by the Clerk, beginning with the Junior Member. Each Member shall in his turn declare whether he is for or against the motion made. The Clerk shall then read out the result, mentioning the total number of votes for and against respectively.
32. If any Member dissenting from the opinion of the majority wish to have his dissent recorded, he shall state so forthwith; and the reasons of his dissent may be laid on the table either at the same or at the following ordinary meeting.
33. After a question has been put by the President no further discussion thereupon shall be allowed.
34.-The Standing Orders of the Council may be suspended by the consent of the President and a majority of the Members present.
35. The matter under discussion and any business not disposed of at the time of any adjournment shall stand as An Order of the Day for the next meeting of the Council.
36.--Strangers may be present in the Council Chamber during debates; but must withdraw when called upon to do so by the President on any Member taking notice of their presence. Any stranger expressing approbation or disapprobation shall be immediately removed.
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38.-A printed copy of every Bill shall, if possible, be sent to each Member by the Clerk at least two clear days before it is read a first time.
39.-After having been read a first time, every Bill shall be published in the Government Gazette for general information.
40.-When a Bill has been read a second time, the Council shall resolve itself into Committee to consider it clause by clause, and amend it as may be deemed necessary, unless at this stage of the proceedings the Bill be referred to a Special or Standing Committee.
41. When a Bill shall have been referred to, and reported on by, one of the Standing Committees appointed under Rule 48, and it shall be certified by the Chairman of such Standing Committee that such Bill has been considered clause by clause in the presence of all the Members of such Standing Committee at least and that, in the opinion of the Committee, such Bill may be dealt with by the Council in the same manner as a Bill reported on by a Committee of the whole Council, such Bill may be dealt with accordingly if no Member object, but if any Member object the Bill shall be dealt with in the same manner as a Bill reported on by a Special Committee.
42.-If no material alteration be made in any Bill so committed, it may be read a third time, and passed, at the same meeting, if no Member object; but, if any material alteration be made, or any Member object to proceed immediately with the third reading, it shall be postponed till the next ensuing meeting.
43.-If, on the third reading, any Member desire to omit or amend any provision contained in the Bill, or to introduce any fresh provision thereinto, he may move that the Bill be recommitted; and, if the motion be carried, marginal notes of the different clauses of the Bill shall be read seriatim by the Clerk, and any alteration proposed shall be discussed in its proper place; after which the Council shall resume, and the third reading may be moved.
44.-A Bill may be referred either to a Special Committee, or to a Standing Committee at any stage of its progress.
45.-When a Bill has been read a third time, the question "that this Bill do pass" shall immediately be put.
COMMITTEES.
46.The Members of Special Committees shall be chosen by the Council.
47.-Every Special Committee shall consist of at least three Members.
48. At the first Meeting of the Council subsequent to the first day of October in each year, the President may appoint the following Standing Committees :-
a. A FINANCE COMMITTEE-Consisting of the Colonial Secretary (Chairman), and the other Members of Council except the Governor.
b. A LAW COMMITTEE consisting of the Attorney General (Chairman), and four other Members.
c. A PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE-consisting of the Surveyor General (Chairman), and four other Members.
49.-The Standing Committees of Council shall be open to all Members.
50.-No Special or Standing Committee shall be competent to act unless at least three of its Members be present.
51.-The report of every Committee shall be signed by the Chairman, or, in his absence, by the Senior Member present.
PRIVATE RIGHTS.
52.-In any case where individual rights or interests of property may be peculiarly affected by any proposed Bill, all parties interested may, upon petition for that purpose, and on motion made, seconded, and carried, be heard before the Council, or any Committee thereof, either in person, or by Counsel.
ORDINANCES.
87. In the making of Laws the Governor and the Council shall observe, as far as practicable, the following Rules :
1. All Laws shall be styled "Ordinances," and the enacting words shall be, "enacted by the Governor of Hong Kong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof."
2. All Ordinances shall be distinguished by titles, and shall be divided into successive clauses or paragraphs, numbered consecutively, and to every such clause there shall be annexed in the margin a short summary of its contents. The Ordinances of each year shall be distinguished by consecutive numbers, commencing in each year with the number one.