Directory_and_Chronicle_1904 — Page 463

Nomination of

350

RULES OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG

COMMITTEES

46.—The Members of the Special Committees shall be chosen by the Special Commit- Council.

tres.

Number of Mem-

bers.

Nomination of

47.-Every Special Committee shall consist of at least three

Members.

48.-At the first Meeting of the Council subsequent to the first day Standing Com. of October in each year, the President may appoint the following Stand-

ing Committees:-

mittees

Committees to be open.

Quorum of Spe. cial and Standing Committees.

Report by whom to be signed.

Petition to be heard.

Examination of Witnesses.

Notification of Private Bill in the Gazette.

Order Book.

Miunte of pro- ceedings.

Order of the day.

Attendance on Committees,

a. A FINANCE COMMITTEE-Consisting of the Colonial Secretary (Chairman), and the other Members of Council except the Governor.

b. A LAW COMMITTER-consisting of the Attorney-Genera!

(Chairman), and four other Members.

c. A PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE-consisting of the Surveyor-

General (Chairman), and four other Members.

49.-The Standing Committees of Council shall be open to all Members.

50.-No Special or Standing Committee shall be competent to act unless at least three of its Members be present.

51.-The report of every Committee shall be signed by the Chairman, or, in his absence, by the Senior Member present.

PRIVATE RIGHTS

52.-In any case where individual rights or interests of property may be peculiarly affected by any proposed Bill, all parties interested may, upon petition for that purpose, and on motion made, seconded, and carried, be heard before the Council, or any Committee thereof, either in person, or by Counsel.

53-When it is intended to examine any Witnesses, the Member, or the Petitiouer, requiring such Witnesses, shall deliver to the Clerk a list containing the names and residences of such Witnesses, at least two days before the day appointed for their examination. The evidence of every such witness shall be taken down by the Clerk and be signed by the Witness.

54. Before any Private Bill, whereby the property of any private person may be affected, is introduced, notification of the intention et the parties to apply for such Private Bill shall be given by the parties, by two advertisements in the Gazette, and two in some daily Newspaper circulating in the Colony, and in one Chinese Newspaper, and by pub.ication of the proposed Bill once at least in the Gazette. No Private Ordinance shall be passed whereby the property of any private person may be affected in which there is not a saving of the rights of Her Majesty the Queen, Her Heirs and Successors, and of all bodies politic or corporate and of all other persons except such as are mentioned in the Ordinance and those claiming by, from, and under them. (Art. XXIII., Royal Instructions.)

CLERK OF THE COUNCIL

55.-The Clerk of the Council shall keep an Order Book, in which he shall enter and number in succession the subjects intended to be brought under discussion at each meeting.

56.-The Clerk of the Council shall also keep Minutes of the pro- ceedings of the Council; and shall, two clear days at least before each meeting, send a copy of the Minutes of the previous meeting to each Member.

57.-The Clerk shall also send to each Member, two clear days at least before each meeting, a copy of the Order of the Day for such meeting. 58.-The Clerk of the Council shall attend upon any Special or Standing Committee if required to do so.