Directory_and_Chronicle_1910 — Page 446

CONSTITUTION OF COUNCILS-HONGKONG

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

Government.

of Office,

479

XVI. Whenever the office of Governor is vacant, or if the Governor Succession to 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 pleasure, administer the government of the Colony, first taking the oaths Provino. Oaths herein before directed to be taken by the Governor and in the manner herein prescribed; which being done, we do hereby authorize, empower, and command our Lieutenant-Governor, or any other such administrator Powers, &c., of as aforesaid, to do and execute, during our pleasure, all things that belong to the office of Governor and Commander-in-chief, according to the tenor of these our Letters Patent, and according to our instructious as aforesaid, and the laws of the Colony.*

Administrator.

Officers and

XVII.-And we do hereby require and command all our officials and others to obey ministers, civil and military, and all other inhabitants of the Colony, and ant Go- 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, full power and authority, from time to time, to revoke, alter, or amend these Letters Patent as to us or them shall seem meet.

XX. And we do further direct and enjoin that these our Letters 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,

vernur.

Term "Gorer. пог explained.

to Her Majesty to revoke, alter

Power reserved

or amend prevent Letters Patent. rubiontion of

Letters Patent.

CONSTITUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

19th January,

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

Her Majesty's pleasure.

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

consist of-

The Governor (President).

The Lieutenant-Governor (if any).

A dormant commission passed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, dated 31st January 1896, appoints the Senior Military Officer in command of the regular forces in the Colony to administer the Government when the office of Governor is vacant or the Governor is incapacitated or absent, and there is no Tieutenant-Governor in the Colony.

instructions, 19th January, 1983, Art. III.