TNAG-1243-FCO40-1557-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1983 — Page 39

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HANKOW MUNICIPAL REGULATIONS.

CHAPTER IV.-ANNUAL GENERAL AND EXTRAORDINARY MEETINGS Article 26. An Annual General Meeting shall be called by the Director of the Bureau during March of every year for the purposes hereinafter provided. One week's notice is to be sent to all electors, stating the business before the Meeting.

Ratepayers shall have the right to introduce resolutions at the Annual General Meeting provided such resolutions are deposited in writing with the Secretary of the Bureau, at least three days before the date fixed for such meeting, duly signed by the Proposer and a Seconder, both of whom must be voters as hereinafter provided. Article 27. The Meeting shall be competent to discuss and settle the proposed questions if one-third at lear of the total number of voters registered on the day of this Meeting shall be presen..

Article 28, Extraordinary Meetings may be called by the Director whenever it may appear to him to be needful, also at the request of two members of the Council or of voters representing at least one-third of the voters registered at the last Annual General Meeting and present in Hankow. Not less than 14 days' notice of the meeting and its purposes shall be given. At such meetings the Director or his representative shall take the chair.

Article 29. An Extraordinary Meeting shall be valid provided not less than one-half of the whole number of the voters registered at the last Annual General Meeting and present in Hankow, are represented at the Meeting. If the Annual General or Extraordinary Meeting cannot be held owing to an insufficient number of voters being present, the Director shall call in a week's time a second meeting which shall be considered valid whatever be the number of voters present.

Article 30. The Annual General Meeting is competent to transact the follow- ing business-Consider and pass the accounts for the preceding year, levy and alter rates, dues and taxes, authorize the pledging of the credit of the municipality, con- sider and decide matters concerning the public works and sanitation of the District and such other matters as affect the proper and efficient administration of the area, consider and adopt the budget for the current year, and elect six members of the Council.

Article 31. All resolutions of the Annual General or Extraordinary Meeting, except resolutions named hereunder (Article 32), shall pass by a simple majority of votes, and in case of equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote.

Article 32. Resolutions concerning acquisition or expropriation of immovables, budget, ioans, mortgages, securities or guarantees to be given by the Municipality, shall require a majority of two-thirds of the voters present at the meeting.

Article 33. Resolutions passed by the Annual General or Extraordinary Meet- ing shall be carried out by the Bureau. Any resolution that shall involve Treaty Rights shall be communicated to the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs for Hupeh. If such resolution is found to be repugnant to the letter or spirit of the Treaties China has made with Foreign Powers or the laws and customs of China, or derogatory to China's sovereignty or dignity as a sovereign state, the Commissioner of Foreign Affairs may request the Director of the Bureau to suspend the execution of the same and immediately report to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Na- tionalist Government for final decision.

CHAPTER V.-THE ELECTION.

Article 34. The right of voting at the Annual General Meeting is granted to all Chinese and Foreigners belonging to friendly States having conventions with China, as well as institutions, associations and companies being lotholders or house- holders in the District and paying to the Bureau sundry taxes (land and house taxes) to the amount of not less than Tls. 25.00 per annum.

Article 35. Minors and persons under guardianships or curatorship, shall vote through their guardians or curators at the Annual General Meeting.

entitled to vote at the

Article 36. Societies, Associations and Companies entitled to Annual General Meeting, participate in it through their representatives, whose power of attorney must be shown to the satisfaction of the Bureau.

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