Directory_and_Chronicle_1931 — Page 368

1.

. 316

Proviso in cases

- immediate

operation of an Ordinance.

ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS-HONGKONG

6.- Any Bill the provisions of which shall appear inconsistent with obligations imposed upon Us by Treaty:

7. Any Bill interfering with the discipline or control of Our forces by and, sea, or air:

8.-Any Bill of an extraordinary nature and importance, whereby Our prerogative, or the rights and property of Our subjects not residing in the Colony, or the trade and shipping of Our United Kingdon and its Dependencies, may be prejudiced :

9.-Any Bill whereby persous not of European birth or descent may be subjected or made liable to any disabilities or restrictions to which persons of European birth or descent are not also subjected or made liable: 10.-Any Bill containing provisions to which Our assent has been once refused, or which have been disallowed by Us:

Unless in the case of any such Bill as aforesaid the Governor shall of emergency for have previously obtained Our instructions upon such Bill through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, or unless such Bill shall contain a clause suspending the operation of such Bill until the signification of Our pleasure thereupon, or unless the Governor shall have satisfied himself that an urgent necessity exists requiring that such Bill be brought into immediate operation, in which case he is authorised to assent in Our name to such Bill, unless the same shall be repugnant to the law of England, or inconsistent with any obligations imposed on Us by treaty. But he is to transmit to Us, by the earliest opportunity, the Bill so assented to together with his reasons for assenting thereto.

Private Bills.

·Ordinances, &c.,

duly authenti-

cated.

XXVII.-Every Bill intended to affect or benefit some particular per- son, association or corporate body shall contain a section saving the rights of Us, Our heirs and successors, all bodies politic and corporate, and all others except such as are mentioned in the Bill and those claiming by, from, and under them. No such Bill, not being a Government measure, shall be introduced into the Legislative Council until due notice has been given by not less than two successive publications of the Bill in the Hongkong Government Gazette, and in such other manner as may be required by the Standing Rules and Orders for the time being in force; and the Governor shall not assent thereto in Our name until it has been so published. A certificate under the hand of the Governor shall be transmitted to Us with the Bill signifying that such publication has been made.

XXVIII. When any Ordinance shall have been passed or when any to be sent home Bill shall have been reserved for the signification of Our pleasure, the Governor shall transmit to Us, through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, for Our final approval, disallowance or other direction thereupon, a full and exact copy in duplicate of the same, and of the marginal summary thereof, duly authenticated under the Public Seal of the Colony, and by his own signature. Such copy shall be accompanied by such explanatory observations as may be required to exhibit the reasons and occasion for passing such Ordinance or Bill.

Collection of

Ordinances to be published every year.

Minutes of pro- ceedings of

send home after

XXIX. At the earliest practicable period at the commencement of each year, the Governor shall cause a complete collection to be published, for general information,of all Ordinances enacted during the preceding

year.

XXX.-Minutes shall be regularly kept of the proceedings of the Legislative Coun- Legislative Council, and at each meeting of the said Council, the Minutes cil to be kept,and of the last preceding meeting shall be confirmed, or amended, as the case every meeting. may require, before proceeding to the despatch of any other business.

The Governor shall transmit to Us, through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, as soon as possible after every meeting a full and exact copy of the Minutes of the said Council.