CO129-412 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [7-8] — Page 109

N°

No 264

sir,

32707

RECO

REG 29 AUG 14

102

HONGKONG.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

22nd July, 1914.

I have the honour to submit for your con-

sideration the enclosed draft Bill entitled "An Ordinance

to provide for the payment of fees in respect of Private Bills" accompanied by the "Objects and Reasons", and to

request authority to introduce the Bill into the Legisla-

tive Council.

2.

No fees are at present paid in respect of private ordinances, and applications for private ordinances are not infrequently made though the object in view can be

attained otherwise. This ordinance which follows the principle obtaining elsewhere of charging fees in respect of private bills will, I think, be a check on applications

of this character.

3.

The fee proposed is less than the minimum fee imposed in the United Kingdom, and the power of remis- sion, which is vested in the Governor-in-Council by virtue

of Ordinance No.5 of 1870, will be exercised in the case of ordinances affecting charitable or religious associations.

I have the honour to be,

sir,

Your most obediant,

humble servant,

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c

800.

&C. 1

nag

Governor,&c.