Directory_and_Chronicle_1919 — Page 416

CONSTITUTION OF THE EXECUTIVE AND

LEGISLATIVE COUNCILS

Instructions passed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies.

Datei 14th

February, 1917.

Preamble.

Recites Letters Patent of even

date.

Recites Instruc- tions of 19th January 1888 and Additional 7th July 1896,

Instructions of

Revokes In- structions of 19th January

1888 and Addi. tional Instruc

1896.

tions of 7th July

Administration of Oaths.

GEORGE R.I.

Instructions to Our Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Our Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies or other Officer for the time being administering the Government of Our said Colony and its Dependencies.

Whereas by certain Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Our United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, bearing even date herewith, We have made provision for the office of Governor and Com- mander-in-Chief (therein and hereinafter called the Governor) in and over Our Colony of Hongkong, and its Dependencies (therein and here- inafter called the Colony):

And whereas We have thereby authorised and commanded the Governor to do and execute all things that belong to his said office according to the tenour of Our said Letters Patent and of any Commission issued to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet and according to such Instruc- tions as may from time to time be given to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet or by Order in Our Privy Council or by Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State and to such laws as are now or shall hereafter be in force in the Colony :

And whereas Her Majesty Queen Victoria did issue certain Instruc tions to the Governor under Her Sign Manual and Signet bearing date the Nineteenth day of January 1888, and certain Additional Instructions bearing date the Seventh day of July 1896:

And whereas We are minded to substitute fresh Instructions for the aforesaid Instructions and Additional Instructions:

Now therefore We do, by these Our Instructions under Our Sign Manual and Signet, revoke as from the date of the coming into opera- tion of Our said recited Letters Patent, the aforesaid Instructions of the Nineteenth day of January 1888 and the aforesaid Additional Instructions of the Seventh day of July 1896, but without prejudice to anything lawfully done thereunder, and instead thereof We do direct and enjoin and declare Our will and pleasure as follows:-

I.-The Governor may, whenever he thinks fit, require any person in the public service of the Colony to take the Oath of Allegiance, in the form prescribed by the Act mentioned in Our said recited Letters Patent, together with such other Oath or Oaths as may from time to time be prescribed by any laws in force in the Colony. The Governor is to administer such Oaths, or to cause them to be administered by some public officer of the Colony.

A