LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG.
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responsible for the safe custody thereof, and shall have all such papers ready to be produced before the Council, whenever the same may be required by any member; and such papers, and the order and journal books, shall be at all reasonable times open to the inspection and perusal of any member.
PETITIONS.
XXXIII.-Petitions may be presented to the Governor by any member, imme- diately after the chair is taken; and every member presenting a petition, shall satisfy himself that the petition is respectful and deserving of presentation.
XXXIV.-Any member may move that such petition be read, but in so doing he shall state the purport of the petition, with his reasons for wishing it read, and the motion being seconded, the question may be put,-"whether the petition shall be read?"
PRIVATE RIGHTS.
XXXV.-In any case where individual rights or interests of property may be peculiarly affected by any proposed Ordinance, all parties interested may, on motion made, seconded, and carried, be heard before the Council when in committee on such Ordinance, either in person, or by their advocate.
WITNESSES.
XXXVI.-When it is intended to examine any witnesses, the member or the petitioner, requiring such witnesses, shall give in to the clerk a list containing the names and residences of the witnesses, at least two days before the day appointed for their examination.
XXXVII.-The evidence of every witness shall be taken down by the clerk and read over to the witness, who may then desire any correction to be made; and in case no such correction shall be made, the evidence shall stand as given, and not be altered afterwards.
GENERALIA.
XXXVIII.-When any number of days are mentioned in the standing rules of the Council, the same shall be exclusive of Sundays and general Holidays.
XXXIX.-Whenever the word "Governor" shall be used in these standing orders and rules, the same shall be held to mean the officer for the time administering the Government.
XL.-The standing rules of 7th March, 1845, are hereby rescinded.
Approved in Council, the 12th day of July, 1858.
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Council.