Directory_and_Chronicle_1941 — Page 84

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Succession to Government.

CHARTER OF THE COLONY OF HONGKONG

the officer to be so informed, and thereupon his office shall become vacant. In proceeding to any such suspension, the Governor is strictly to observe the directions in that behalf given to him by Our Instructions as aforesaid.

XVII. Whenever the office of Governor is vacant, or if the Governor become incapable, or be absent from the Colony, Our Lieutenant Governor of the Colony, or if there shall be no such Officer therein, then such person or persons as may be appointed under the Royal Sign Manual and Signet, and in default of any such appointment, the person lawfully discharging the functions of Colonial Secretary shall during Our pleasure administer Proviso. Oaths the Government of the Colony, first taking the Oaths herein before directed to be taken by the Governor and in the manner herein prescribed; which Powers, &c., of being done, We do hereby authorise, empower, and command Our Administrator. Lieutenant Governor, or any other such Administrator as aforesaid, to do and execute, during Our pleasure, all things that belong to the office of Governor and Commander-in-Chief, according to the tenour of these Our Letters Patent, and according to Our Instructions as aforesaid, and the laws of the Colony.

of Office.

Officers and

and assist

XVIII.--And Wedo hereby require and command all Our officials and others to obey ministers, civil and military, and all other inhabitants of the Colony, to be obedient, aiding and assisting unto the Governor and to any person for the time being administering the Government of the Colony.

Governor,

Term "Gover-

XIX. In these Our Letters Patent the term "the Governor" shall. nor" explained. include every person for the time being administering the government of

the Colony.

Power reserved to His Majesty

XX.--And We do hereby reserve to Ourselves, Our heirs and successors, to revoke, alter full power and authority, from time to time, to revoke, alter, or amend or amend present these Our Letters Patent as to Us or them shall seem meet.

Letters Patent.

Publication of

XXI.-And We do further direct and enjoin that these Our Letters Letters Patent. Patent shall be read and proclaimed at such place or places within the Colony as the Governor shall think fit, and shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by the Governor by Proclamation.

In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. Witness Ourself at Westminster, the Fourteenth day of February in the Seventh year of Our Reign.

By Warrant under the King's Sign Manual,

SCHUSTER.

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