402
Manner of voting.
Dissent.
No discussion after question put.
Suspension of Standing Orders.
Business to be disposed of.
Strangers.
Bills to be sent to Members.
Publication after first reading.
Council to go into Committee after second reading.
Third reading.
Recommittal.
Reference of Bill to a Committee.
Passing of Bills.
28.--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 nominated Special 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.
29.--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 laid on the table either at the same or at the following ordinary meeting.
30.--After a question has been put by the President, no further discussion thereupon shall be allowed.
31.--The Standing Orders of the Council may be suspended by the consent of the President and three-fourths of the Members present.
32.--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.
33.--Strangers may be present in the Council Chamber during debates; but must withdraw when called upon to do so by any Member.
Any stranger expressing approbation or disapprobation shall be immediately removed.
34.--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.
35.--After having been read a first time, every Bill shall be published in the Government Gazette for general information.
36.--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.
37.--If no 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 alteration be made, or any Member object to proceed immediately with the third reading, it shall be postponed till the next ensuing meeting.
38.--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.
39.--A Bill may be referred either to a Special Committee, or to a Standing Committee at any stage of its progress.
40.--When a Bill has been read a third time, the question "that this Bill do pass" shall immediately be put.
COMMITTEES.
41.--The Members of Special Committees shall be chosen by the Council.
42.--Every Special Committee shall consist of at least three Members.
43.--At the opening of every Session, the President shall 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.
44.--The Standing Committees of Council shall be open to all Members.
45.--No Special or Standing Committee shall be competent to act unless at least three of its Members be present.
46.--The report of every Committee shall be signed by the Chairman, or, in his absence, by the Senior Member present.
PRIVATE RIGHTS.
47.--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.
48.--When it is intended to examine any Witnesses, the Member, or the Petitioner, requiring such Witnesses, shall deliver to the Clerk a list containing the names and residences of such Witnesses, at least two days before the day appointed for their examination. The evidence of every such witness shall be taken down by the Clerk and be signed by the Witness.
49.--Before any Private Bill, whereby the property of any private person may be affected, is introduced, Notification of the intention of the parties to apply for such Private Bill shall be given by the parties, by two advertisements in the Gazette, and by publication of the proposed Bill, once at least in the Gazette.
CLERK OF THE COUNCIL.
50.--The Clerk of the Council shall keep an Order Book, in which he shall enter and number in succession the subjects intended to be brought under discussion at each meeting.
51.--The Clerk of the Council shall also keep Minutes of the proceedings of the Council; and shall, two clear days at least before each meeting, send a copy of the Minutes of the previous meeting to each Member.
52.--The Clerk shall also send to each Member, two clear days at least before each meeting, a copy of the Order of the Day for such meeting.
53.--The Clerk of the Council shall attend upon any Special or Standing Committee if required to do so.