Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 359

CHARTER OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG

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Colony as can conveniently attend; which being done he shall then and there take before them the Oath of Allegiance in the form provided by an Oaths to be taken Act passed in the session holden in the Thirty-first and Thirty-second by Governor, years of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, intituled "An Act to Imperial Act, 31 amend the Law relating to Promissory Oaths "; and likewise the usual & 32 Vict., c. 72. Oath for the due execution of the office of Governor, and for the due and impartial administration of justice; which Oaths the said Chief Justice or Judge, or if they be unavoidably absent, the senior Member of the Executive Council then present, is hereby required to administer.

IV. The Governor shall keep and use the public seal of the Colony Public Seal. for sealing all things whatsoever that shall pass the said public seal.

V.-There shall be an Executive Council in and for the Colony and Executive the said Council shall consist of such persons as We shall direct by Council. Instructions under Our Sign Manual and Signet, and all such persons shall hold their places in the said Council during Our pleasure. The Governor may upon sufficient cause to him appearing suspend from the exercise of his functions in the Council any Member thereof pending the signification of Our pleasure, giving immediate notice to Us through one of Our Prin- cipal Secretaries of State. If the suspension is confirmed by Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State the Governor shall forthwith by an instrument under the Public Seal of the Colony revoke the appoint- ment of such Member, and thereupon his seat in the Council shall become

vacant.

VI.—There shall be a Legislative Council in and for the Colony, and Legislative the said Council shall consist of the Governor and such persons as We Council. shall direct by any Instructions under Our Sign Manual and Signet, and all such persons shall hold their places in the said Council during Our pleasure. The Governor may upon sufficient cause to him appearing suspend from the exercise of his functions in the Council any Member thereof pending the signification of Our pleasure, giving inmediate notice to Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State. If the suspension is confirmed by Us through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State the Governor shall forthwith by an instrument under the Public Seal of the Colony revoke the appointment of such Member, and thereupon his seat in the Council shall become vacant.

advice and con-

VII.-The Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Governor, with Legislative Council, may make laws for the peace, order, and good govern- aent of Council, ment of the Colony.

to make Laws.

VIII.-We do hereby reserve to Ourselves, Our heirs and successors, Disallowance of full power and authority to disallow, through one of Our Principal Secret- Laws. aries of State, any such law as aforesaid. Every such disallowance shall take effect from the time when the same shall be promulgated by the Governor in the Colony.

IX. We do also reserve to Ourselves, Our heirs and successors, Our Power of Legis- and their undoubted right, with advice of Our or their Privy Council, lation reserved to make all such laws as may appear necessary for the peace, order, and good government of the Colony.

to the Crown.

X.-When a Bill passed by the Legislative Council is presented to the Assent to Bills. Governor for his assent he shall, according to his discretion, but subject to any Instructions addressed to him under Our Sign Manual and Signet or through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, declare that he as- sents thereto, or refuses his assent to the same, or that he reserves the same for the signification of Our pleasure.

XI.-A Bill reserved for the signification of Our pleasure shall take Reserved Bills, effect so soon as We shall have given Our assent to the same by Order in