Directory_and_Chronicle_1895 — Page 324

Succession to Government.

284

CONSTITUTION OF COUNCILS-HONGKONG.

Governor is strictly to observe the directions in that behalf given to him by any instructions as aforesaid.

XVI.-Whenever the office of Governor is vacant, or if the Governor become incapable, or be absent from the Colony, our Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony, or if there shall be no such officer therein, then such person or persons as we have appointed or may hereafter appoint under our sign manual and signet, and in default of any such appointment, the person lawfully discharging the functions of Colonial Secretary, shall, during our Proviso. Oaths pleasure, administer the government of the Colony, first taking the oaths herein before directed to be taken by the Governor and in the manner herein prescribed; which being done, we do hereby authorize, empower, Powers, &c., of and command our Lieutenant-Governor, or any other such administrator as aforesaid, to do and execute, during our pleasure, all things that belong to the officer of Governor and Commander-in-chief, according to the tenor of these our Letters Patent, and according to our instructions as aforesaid, and the laws of the Colony.

of Office.

Administrator.

Officers and

others to obey

and assist Go- vernor.

·

Term "Gover- nor" explained.

Power reserved

to Her Majesty

XVII.-And we do hereby require and command all our officials and ministers, civil and military, and all other the inhabitants of the Colony, to be obedient, aiding and assisting unto the Governor and to any person for the time being administering the Government of the Colony.

XVIII. In these our Letters Patent the term "the Governor" shall include every person for the time being administering the government of the Colony.

XIX.—And we do hereby reserve to ourselves, our heirs and successors, to revoke, alter full power and authority, from time to time, to revoke, alter, or amend oramend present these Letters Patent as to us or them shall seem meet.

Letters Patent.

Publication of

XX. And we do further direct and enjoin that these our Letters Letters Patent. Patent shall be read and proclaimed at such place or places within the

Colony as the Governor shall think fit.

In witness whereof we have caused these our Letters to be made Patent. Witness ourself at Westminster, the nineteenth day of January, in the Fifty-first year of our Reign.

By Warrant under the Queen's Sign Manual,

MUIR MACKENZIE.

Letters Patent,

19th January,

CONSTITUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

The Executive Council of the Colony consists of such persons as 1888, Art. VII. may be directed by the Queen by any instructions under Her Majesty's sign manual and signet, and they hold their places in the Council during Her Majesty's pleasure.

The Governor's Instructions, 19th January, 1888, Art. III.

According to the Queen's recent Instructions the Council is to

consist of-

The Governor (President).

The Lieutenant-Governor (if any).

A dormant commission passed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, dated 21st August, 1891, appoints the Colonial Secretary to administer the Government when the office of Governor is vacant or the Governor is incapacitated or absent, and there is no Lieutenant-Governor in the Colony; and if the office of the Colonial Secretary is also vacant, or he is incapable or absent from the Colony, then the Senior Military Officer for the time being in command of the regular forces,