Directory_and_Chronicle_1877 — Page 705

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LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG.

XXII.-Any member may move that such petition be read, but in so doing he shall state the purport of the petition, with his reasons for wishing it read, and the motion being seconded, the question may be put-" whether the petition shall be read?"

PROGRESS OF BILLS.

XXIII.-On moving the first reading of every Bill, the grounds and reasons upon which it is founded shall be stated, either by the Governor, or by any official member called upon by him for the purpose; but no discussion shall take place thereon.

XXIV. At the first reading of every Bill, the Clerk shall read the title only, and, immediately after, some day may be appointed for the second reading. Except in cases of emergency, seven days shall elapse between the first and second reading of a Bill.

XXV.-Every Bill presented to the Council shall, after the first reading, unless otherwise ordered, be published in the next issue of the Government Gazette; and a printed copy of such Bill shall be furnished to each member with convenient despatch.

XXVI.—An adjournment of the discussion of any question may be moved at any time, and if seconded, shall forthwith be put to the vote.

XXVII.-Any member may propose an amendment at any time during the progress of a Bill, but no amendment may be proposed upon an amendment which is under discussion.

XXVIII. No question can be put to the vote during the discussion of a Bill which is substantially the same as one on which the judgment of the Council has already been expressed,-unless for the purpose of correcting an error, and with the consent of the Governor.

XXIX. Upon the motion for the second reading of a Bill, its general merits and principles shall be discussed, and if such second reading be assented to, the title only of the Bill shall be read, and thereupon the Council shall go into committee immediately on the clause of such Bill, or shall appoint a future day for that purpose.

XXX.-It shall be competent for the Council, with the consent of the Governor, to appoint a special committee for the purpose of examining into and reporting to the Council on the clause of any Bill. On the Bill being committed or re-committed, the committee shall discuss its several provisions, and any proposed amendments; and adjourn such discussions from time to time, as occasion may require.

XXXI.-After a Bill has been approved in committee, the question to be put shall be, "That this Bill do pass?" and if the question be carried in the affirmative, the Clerk shall read the title only of the Ordinance.

XXXII.-When any Bill shall be proposed whereby vested rights and interests of property will be unavoidably affected, due notice shall be given to all parties concerned by notification in the Government Gazette, one month before the first reading of such Bill; and such notification shall appear at least three times in the said Gazette; and before going into committee on the said Bill, the same shall be published three times in the said Gazette.

XXXIII. In cases of emergency, or where no amendments whatever, or only amendments of an unimportant nature, shall be proposed to be made to a Bill, it may be moved that the Standing Rules relative to the reading and commitment of the Bill be suspended; and if adopted by two-thirds of the members present, and sanctioned by the Governor, it may be carried through its several stages at one sitting.

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