Directory_and_Chronicle_1940 — Page 194

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Proviso in cases

operation of an Ordinance.

ROYAL INSTRUCTIONS--HONGKONG

9.-Any Bill whereby persons 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 onc refused, or which have been disallowed by Us:

Unless in the case of any such Bill as aforesaid the Governor shal of emergency for have previously obtained Our instructions upon such Bill through one o Our Principal Secretaries of State, or unless such Bill shall contain a claus suspending the operation of such Bill until the signification of Ou pleasure thereupon, or unless the Governor shall have satisfied himsel that an urgent necessity exists requiring that such Bill be brought int immediate operation, in which case he is authorised to assent in Our nam to such Bill, unless the same shall be repugnant to the law of England, d inconsistent with any obligations imposed on Us by treaty. But he is t transmit to Us, by the earliest opportunity, the Bill so assented to togethe 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 right of Ús, Our heirs and successors, all bodies politic and corporate, and al 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 b introduced into the Legislative Council until due notice has been give 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 th Standing Rules and Orders for the time being in force; and the Governo 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

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

published every year.

Minutes of pro- ceedings of

send home after every meeting.

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 Minute cil to be kept,and of the last preceding meeting shall be confirmed, or amended, as the case

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.

Surveys and reservations to

disposed of.

XXXI.-Before disposing of any vacant or waste land to Us belong be made before ing the Governor shall cause the same to be surveyed, and such reservations waste lands are to be made thereout as he may think necessary for roads or other public Governor not to purposes. The Governor shall not, directly or indirectly, purchase for himself any of such lands without Our special permission given through one of Our Principal Secretaries of State.

purchase lands,