Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 186

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Governor and Legislative

CHARTER OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG

Council, or through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State, and the Governor shall have signified such assent by message to the Legislativ Council or by proclamation; Provided that no such message shall be issue after two years from the day on which the Bill was presented to th Governor for his assent.

XII.-In the making of any laws the Governor and the Legislativ Council to obser- Council shall conform to and observe all rules, regulations, and direction ve Instractions. in that behalf contained in any Instructions under Our Sign Manual an

Signet.

Land grants.

Governor em-

XIII.—The Governor, in Our name and on Our behalf, may make an execute, under the Public Seal of the Colony, grants and dispositions any lands which may be lawfully granted or disposed of by Us. Provide that every such grant or disposition be made in conformity either wit some law in force in the Colony or with some Instructions addressed the Governor under Our Sign Manual and Signet, or through one of Ou Principal Secretaries of State, or with some regulations in force in th Colony.

XIV. The Governor may constitute and appoint all such Judge powered to ap. Commissioners, Justices of the Peace, and other necessary Officers an point Judges and other officers. Ministers in the Colony, as may lawfully be constituted or appointed b Us, all of whom, unless otherwise provided by law, shall hold their office during Our pleasure.

Grantof pardon.

XV.-When any crime or offence has been committed within th Colony, or for which the offender may be tried therein, the Governor may as he shall see occasion, in Our name and on Our behalf, grant a pardo to any accomplice in such crime or offence who shall give such informatio as shall lead to the conviction of the principal offender, or of any one o such offenders, if more than one; and further, may grant to any offende convicted of any crime or offence in any Court, or before any Judge of other Magistrate within the Colony, a pardon either free or subject to lawful conditions, or any remission of the sentence passed on such offende or any respite of the execution of such sentence for such period as th Governor thinks fit, and may remit any fines, penalties, or forfeitures du or accrued to Us. Provided always that the Governor shall in no case Proviso. Banish. except when the offence has been of a political nature unaccompanied b ment prohibited.

any other

grave crime, make it a condition of any pardon or remission o Exception. sentence that the offender shall be banished from or shall absent himsel

or be removed from the Colony.

Remission of fines.

Political offences

Dismissal and Suspension of officers.

.

XVI. The Governor may, upon sufficient cause to him appearing dismiss any public officer not appointed by virtue of a Warrant from U whose pensionable emoluments do not exceed one thousand dollars or on hundred pounds sterling a year, according as the said emoluments a fixed with reference to dollars or to pounds sterling as the case may be provided that in every such case the grounds of intended dismissal ar definitely stated in writing and communicated to the officer in order tha he may have full opportunity of exculpating himself, and that the matte is investigated by the Governor with the aid of the head for the time b ing of the department in which the officer is serving

The Governor may, upon sufficient cause to him appearing, als suspend from the exercise of his office any person holding any office in th Colony whether appointed by virtue of any Commission or Warrant from Us, or in Our name, or by any other mode of appointment. Such suspen sion shall continue and have effect only until Our pleasure therein shall b signified to the Governor. If the suspension is confirmed by one o Our Principal Secretaries of State, the Governor shall forthwith cause