16
ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS, COURTS OF JUSTICE,
HONG KONG.
10th July, 1939.
2
Dear Roberts-Wray,
Thank you for your letter of the 23rd
June pointing out difficulties you have encountered
in considering the Bill to amend the Promissory
Oaths Ordinance, 1869.
With regard to Part I of the Schedule
to the Bill, the intention was that all the official
members of the Executive Council should take three
oaths, the official oath under section 5 of the
Ordinance as amended and the oath of allegiance and
members oath under section 7, but that they should
take all three one after the other at the next weekly
council meeting. Under the present Ürdinance only
three of them take the official oath. Moreover those
three have to take the oath of allegiance twice and
to arrange to meet the Governor twice in the same week
for purposes of oath taking. It was hoped that the
Bill would obviate unnecessary duplication of work at
the Secretariat where the oath books are kept and
where the Council Chamber is situated. Except when
there is a Council meeting the Governor works at his
office at Government House or at one of his other
official residences to which, under the present con-
ditions, the books have to be sent for the taking of
the official oath.