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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
7. Section 4 of the amendment Ordinance repeals sections 68 and 109 of the principal Ordinance the effect of which has been preserved in the new sections 10 and 78B.
SUMMARY OFFENCES AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1933.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the Summary Offences Ordinance, 1932." He said: Hitherto fortune telling outside temples has been dealt with by proceedings under the Vagrancy Act of 1924. It seems better to deal with the practice, as is done in the Straits Settlements, under a local Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council. This Bill adds, accordingly, a new section to the recent Summary Offences Ordinance.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded and the Bill was read a first time.
1.
Objects and Reasons.
The "Objects and Reasons" for the Bill were stated as follows:- Fortune telling in the Colony is recognised to some extent by the provisions of the Chinese Temples Ordinance, 1928, which provides for the registration of places where in accordance with the religious principles governing Miu, Tsz, Kun, To Yuen or Om, worship of gods, or communication of spirits, or fortune telling, is practiced.
2. In the Straits Settlements any person who pretends to tell fortunes, or uses any subtle craft, means or device by palmistry, divination, sortilege, or otherwise to deceive or impose on any one is punishable under section 30 of Ordinance No. 96 (Minor Offences) by fine and imprisonment and by the forfeiture of any book or other article used as an implement of fortune telling.
3. Fortune telling outside temples has hitherto been dealt with in the Colony by having recourse to section 4 of the Vagrancy Act of 1824 providing for the punishment of rogues and vagabonds some of the provisions of which have already been included in section 21 of the Summary Offences Ordinance, 1932,
4. This Amending Ordinance deals with the practice by making it a summary offence and adding astrology, phrenology and physiognomics to the list of subtle crafts, means or devices set out in the Straits Settlements Ordinance. Prosecution is made subject to the consent of the Secretary for Chinese Affairs.
NEW TERRITORIES REGULATION AMENDMENT
ORDINANCE, 1933.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the first reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the New Territories Regulation
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