CO129-581-15 Promissory Oaths Amendment Ordinance 1939 17-4-1939 - 24-11-1939 — Page 16

16

ATTORNEY GENERAL'S CHAMBERS, COURTS OF JUSTICE,

HONG KONG.

10th July, 1939.

2

Dear Roberts-Wray,

Thank you for your letter of the 23rd

June pointing out difficulties you have encountered

in considering the Bill to amend the Promissory

Oaths Ordinance, 1869.

With regard to Part I of the Schedule

to the Bill, the intention was that all the official

members of the Executive Council should take three

oaths, the official oath under section 5 of the

Ordinance as amended and the oath of allegiance and

members oath under section 7, but that they should

take all three one after the other at the next weekly

council meeting. Under the present Ürdinance only

three of them take the official oath. Moreover those

three have to take the oath of allegiance twice and

to arrange to meet the Governor twice in the same week

for purposes of oath taking. It was hoped that the

Bill would obviate unnecessary duplication of work at

the Secretariat where the oath books are kept and

where the Council Chamber is situated. Except when

there is a Council meeting the Governor works at his

office at Government House or at one of his other

official residences to which, under the present con-

ditions, the books have to be sent for the taking of

the official oath.