LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG.
167
seriatim by the Clerk, and any alteration proposed shall be discussed in proper place; after which the Council shall resume, and the third reading may be moved.
its
39.-A bill may be referred either to a Special Committee, or to a Feference of Bill Standing Committee at any stage of its progress.
to a Committee.
40.--When a bill has been read a third time, the question "that this Passing of Bills. bill do pass "shall immediately be put.
COMMITTEES.
41.-The members of Special Committees shall be chosen by the Nomination of Council.
Specia Com. mittees.
Members.
Nomination of
42.-Every Special Committee shall consist of at least three members. Number of 43.-At the opening of every session, the president shall appoint the following Standing Committees:—
(a.) A Finance Committec-consisting of the Colonial Secretary (Chairman), the other members of Council except the Go-
vernor.
(b) A Law Committee-consisting of the Attorney General
(Chairman), and four other members.
Standing Com- mittees.
(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 mem- Power of voting.
in Committees.
bers.
45.--No Special or Standing Committees shall be competent to act Quorum of unless at least three of its members be present.
Special and Standing Com- mittees.
46.-The report of every Committee shall be signed by the Chair- Kept by whom man, or, in his absence, by the senior member present.
PRIVATE RIGHTS.
to be signed.
Petition to be
47. In any case where individual rights or interests of property head. may Le peculiarly affected by any proposed bill, all parties interested may, upon petition for that purpose, and on motion made, seconded, and car- ried, be heard before the Council, or any Committee thereof, either in per- son, or by counsel.
Witnesses,
48. When it is intended to examine any witnesses, the member, or Examination of 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.
rivate Bill in..
49.-Before any private bill, whereby the property of any private Notification of person may be affected, is introduced, notification of the intention of the the Gazette. parties to apply for such private bill shall be given by the parties, by 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 Older Book..... 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 pro- Minu es of ceedings of the Council; and shall two clear days at least before each proceedings. meeting, send a copy of the minutes of the previous meeting to each member.
day.
52.-The Clerk shall also send to each member, two clear days at Order of the least before each meeting, a copy of the Orders of the Day for such meetings.
53.—The Clerk of the Council shall attend upon any Special or Attendance on Standing Committee if required to do so.
Adopted 10th April, 1884.
Comumtees,