CO885-(13-15) — Page 156

5063.

No. 175.

(MALTA.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

MY LORD,

WE were honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Mr. Wingfield's

Royal Courts of Justice, March 14, 1890. letter of the 4th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to lay before us a copy of a despatch from the Officer Administering the Government of Malta, and to request that we would favour your Lordship with our opinion on the question raised in that despatch, viz., whether the Executive Council of the Colony could lawfully. meet and transact business (provided there was a quorum as required by Clause VI. of the Royal Instructions referred to in the despatch), notwithstanding that there might be for the time being no unofficial members, or less than three unofficial members, in consequence of no elected member, or less than three elected members of the Council of Government being willing to be appointed a member or members of the Executive Council.

That Mr. Wingfield was to enclose copies of the Letters Patent of the 12th December 1887, and the additional Royal Instructions to the Governor of the same date referred to in the despatch.

That the three unofficial members of the Executive Council resigned their seats in that Council on the 5th February, and their places had not yet been filled up.

That Mr. Wingfield was also to enclose for reference two reports of the Law Officers of the Crown on somewhat similar questions.

That as it was important that the Governor should receive instructions in the matter as soon as possible, your Lordship would be obliged by our furnishing you with our Report at our earliest convenience.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have the honour to

Report

That, we are of opinion that the Executive Council of the Colony can lawfully meet and transact business, provided that there is a quorum as required by Clause VI.

of the Royal Instructions, although there may be for the time being no unofficial member or less than three unofficial members.

The Right Hon.

Lord Knutsford, G.C.M.G.,

We have, &c., (Signed)

RICHARD E. WEBSTER, EDWARD CLARKE,

&c.

&c.

&c.

A 61207.-10. 25.-8/90.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

गय

།

سلسلسيليسا

C.O.

Reference :-

885

13 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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