Directory_and_Chronicle_1887 — Page 908

Ordinary meetings.

Special meetings. Notice of special meetings,

Quorum.

Adjournments.

Suspension or adjournment of meeting.

Confirmation of minutes.

Order of business.

Petitions.

Governor's Messages or Minutes,

Notice of motion at meeting.

Notice of motion

not given at a meeting.

STANDING ORDERS AND RULES

OF

THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG.

MEETING.

1.-The ordinary meetings of the Legislative Council shall be held on each Wednesday during the Session, at 4 p.m. but this shall not prevent the adjournment of the Council to any other day or hour.

2. Special meetings of the Council shall be held when summoned by order of the Governor.

3.-Notice of a special meeting shall be given by the Clerk to cach member of the Council, at least two clear days before the day of meeting; except in case of emergency, when as long notice as possible shall be given. 4.If in addition to the Governor or Member presiding, five members be not present at 4.30 p.m., the Council shall stand adjourned until the next ordinary day of meeting.

5.-At any time during a meeting, the Council may on motion to that effect being carried, adjourn to any other hour or day; and, should the adjournment be to another day, notice of such adjournment shall be given to the members by the Clerk.

6.-The President may at any time suspend or adjourn any meeting.

7. When a quorum has been formed, the minutes of the previous meeting shall be read, and the question of their confirmation shall be put; but no debate shall be allowed thereupon, except as to the accuracy of the minutes.

8. The minutes having been confirmed, the order of business shall be as follows:-

(a.) Messages or minutes of the Governor;

(b.) Reports from Committees ;

(c.) Petitions and written observations ;

(d.) Notices;

(e.) Questions.

After which the orders of the day shall be read by the Clerk, and business shall be proceeded with accordingly.

9.-Petitions addressed to the Council may be sent to the Clerk of the Council, or they may be presented by any member of the Council.

No petition shall be received which is not properly and respectfully worded, or which does not relate to matters of legislation.

It shall be the duty of the Clerk of the Council, or of the member presenting a petition, to inform the Council if there be any doubt as to a petition coming under these prohibitions.

Petitions not coming within the above prohibitions shall be received as of course without question.

Petitions relating to any bills before a Committee shall be referred by the Clerk on receipt to the Committee, by whom they will be presented to the Council with their report. Other petitions after being received, if it be so resolved, may be read, or may be printed, or may be referred to a Committee for consideration and report.

10.-Messages or minutes of the Governor may be read at any time during a meeting.

11.--A member may give notice of motion, during a meeting, men- tioning the day or the meeting on which it is intended to bring forward the motion.

12. Notice of motion, if not given at a meeting, must be sent in writing to the Clerk of the Council at least three days before the meeting

4 which the motion is intended to be brought forward.

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