Directory_and_Chronicle_1914 — Page 508

506

Business not dis- posed of.

Strangers,

Rules and Regu- lations under which Ordin- ances are to be epacted.

Form of ensot- ing Ordinances.

Ordinances to be numbered and methodically ar- ranged.

Bills to be sent to Members.

Publication after first reading.

Council to go in. to Committee after second reading.

Bill reported by Standing Com- mittee.

Third reading.

Recommittal on third reading.

Reference of Bin

RULES OF LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL-HONGKONG

34.-The matter under discussion and any business not disposed of at the time of any adjournment shall stand as An Order of the Day for the next meeting of the Council.

35.-Strangers may be present in the Council Chamber during debates; but must withdraw when called upon to do so by the President on any Member taking notice of their presence.

Any stranger expressing approbation or disapprobation shall be immediately removed,

ORDINANCES

36.—In the making of Laws the Governor and the Council shall observe, as far as practicable, the following Rules:-

1. All Laws shall be styled "Ordinances," and the enacting words shall be, "enacted by the Governor of Hongkong 'with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council

thereof."

2. All Ordinances shall be distinguished by titles and shall be divided into successive clauses or paragraphs, numbered consecutively, and to every such clause there shall be annexed in the margin a short summary of its contents. The Ordinances of each year shall be distinguished by consecutive numbers, commencing in each year with the number one.

37.-A printed copy of every Bill shall, if possible, be sent to each Member by the Clerk at least two clear days before it is read a first time. 38.-After having been read a first time, every Bill shall be published in the Government Gazette for general information.

39.-When a Bill has been read a second time, the Council shall resolve itself into Committee to consider it clause by clause, and amend it as may be deemed necessary, unless at this stage of the proceedings the Bill be referred to a Special or Standing Committee.

40.-When a Bill shall have been referred to, and reported on by, one of the Standing Committees appointed under Rule 48, and it shall be certified by the Chairman of such Standing Committee that such Bill has been considered clause by clause in the presence of all the Members of such Standing Committee at least, and that, in the opinion of the Committee, such Bill may be dealt with by the Council in the same manner as a Bill reported on by a Committee of the whole Council, such Bill may be dealt with accordingly if no Member object, but if any Member object the Bill shall be dealt with in the same manner as a Bill reported on by a Special Committee.

41.--If no material alteration be made in any Bill so committed, it may be read a third time, and passed, at the same meeting, if no Member object; but, if any material alteration be made, or any Member object to proceed immediately with the third reading, it shall be postponed till the next ensuing meeting.

42.-If on the third reading any Member desire to omit or amend any provision contained in the Bill, or to introduce any fresh provision thereinto, he may move that the Bill be recommitted; and if the motion be carried, marginal notes of the different clauses of the Bill shall be read seriatim by the Clerk, and any alteration proposed shall be discussed in its proper place; after which the Council shall resume, and the third reading may be moved.

43.--A Bill may be referred either to a Special Committee, or to to a Committee Standing Committee at any stage of its progress.

Passing of Bills.

44. When a Bill has been read a third time, the question “that this Bill do pass" shall immediately be put.