CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 384

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"Any seven or more persons associated for any

"lawful purpose except that of carrying on the busi-

"ness of banking may, by subscribing their names to

"a Memorandum of Association and otherwise com-

"plying with the requisitions of this Ordinance in

"respect of Registration, form an Incorporated Non-

"rany, wita or without limited liability

12

The section quoted follows the provisions of the

Imperial Act, save as to Banking Corporations, it

being desired, apparently not to interfere with the

constitution of nativo banking nongs.

"Persons" undoubtedly includes en olien not

being an alien enemy. The requisitions of the Com-

panies Ordinances having been fulfilled a Certifi-

cate of Incorporation is granted by the Registrar of

Joint Stock Companies.

This Certificate as provided by Section XVIII

of the 1865 Ordinance is conelusive evidence that

tne requisitions necessary for registration have been

complied with,

It may be noted that registration carries wita

it a power to hold land and therefore a Company so

registered may apply to become the holder of land

on any Consuler Register.

That any seven or more persons should be able

to form themselves into an Incorporated Company is

considered by many writers on such matters in Eng-

land to be a dangerous power and one calling for

strict regulations.

The Hongkong Ordinances nowever having followed

the Imperial Acts in this matter, Her Majesty's Con-

suls cannot do otherwise than protect Britisa Com-

penies as such, whatever may be the nationality of

the individual Directors, Managers or Snarenolders.

Protection is primarily to be accorded to the

business carried on and to the property of the

Company.

If personal protection is a necessary part of

complied

suca