Directory_and_Chronicle_1875 — Page 712

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG

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VIII. With the exception of questions of privilege, which shall take precedence of all others, all business shall be taken in the order in which it appears in the Order Book; unless, on motion made by permission of the Governor, and carried, preference be given to any particular subject.

IX.-The Governor shall preserve order, and decide on all disputed points of

order.

X.-Every motion or amendment, except for adjournment, must be in writing, and must be seconded before it can be put to the vote.

XI.-No member shall be allowed to read any speech, but may obtain permission to introduce documentary matter.

XII.-Every member in discussing any question shall address the Governor and should he wish to allude to the speech or opinion of any other member, should avoid employing his name. Official members may be designated by their appoint-

ments.

XIII.-If two or more members wish to speak at the same time, the Governor shall call on the one entitled in his opinion to pre-audience.

XIV. On any question being put, every member present is required to give his vote in the distinct terms "Aye" or "No," beginning with the junior,-the Clerk minuting the vote of each member; after which he shall declare the number of votes for and against the question.

XV. Any member may protest in writing against any decision of the Council, provided he give notice of his intention immediately after such decision, and that such written protest be delivered to the Clerk within seven days after such decision. It shall be competent to the Council to expunge any passage deemed offensive in such protest.

XVI.-The members of Council shall have freedom of speech, and shall not at any time be questioned by Government for anything they have said therein.

XVII.--In the general discussion, no member shall be at liberty to speak more than once, except in explanation, or on the clauses of a bill in committee, but a reply shall be allowed to a member who has made a substantive motion, not being an amendment.

XVIII.-In the absence of the Governor at any meeting of the Council, the member who shall be first in precedence of those present, shall preside and exercise all such powers as may be vested in the Governor by these Standing Orders.

CLERK OF COUNCIL.

XIX.-The Clerk, unless otherwise ordered by the Governor, shall read all matters brought before the Council. He shall keep a journal in which shall be entered, in the order in which they occur, the minutes of the proceedings of the Council.

XX.-All existing and future records and papers, and all papers heretofore, or hereafter to be laid before the Council, shall be deposited with the Clerk, who shall be responsible for the safe custody thereof, and shall have all such papers ready to be produced before the Council, whenever the same may be required by any member; and such papers, and the order and journal books, shall be at all reasonable times open to the inspection and perusal of any member.

PETITIONS.

XXI.-Petitions may be presented to the Governor by any member, immediately after the minutes of the previous meeting have been confirmed; and every member presenting a petition, shall satisfy himself that the petition is respectful and deserving of presentation.