25303-1912-Standing-Rules-and-Orders-of-the-Legislative-Council — Page 1

No. 68.

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, MARCH S, 1912.

STANDING RULES AND ORDERS

OF THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF HONGKONG.

Made by the Legislative Council on the 7th day of March, 1912, in pursuance of Article XIX of the Royal Instructions of the 19th day of January, 1888, as amended by the Royal Instructions of the 7th day of July, 1896, in substitution for the Standing Rules and Orders in force on that date.

SUMMONS.

1. The meetings of the Legislative Council shall be held on such day and hour Meetings. as shall from time to time be ordered by the Governor.

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Orders of the Day

2.-Notice of a meeting shall be given by the Clerk of the Council, hereinafter Notice of meetings called the Clerk, to each Member of the Council, at least two clear days before the day of meeting; except in case of emergency when as long notice as possible shall be given. At the time of giving such notice, a copy of the Orders of the Day shall also be sent to each Member.

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Members.

3.—A printed copy of every Bill shall, if possible, be sent to each Member by the Bills to be sent to Clerk at least two clear days before it is read a first time.

4.- A Member, who for any reason cannot attend a Council meeting of which Inability to attend notice has been given him, shall whenever possible communicate to the President through the Clerk his inability to attend.

MEETINGS AND

ADJOURNMENT.

at all meetings.

5.-The Governor shall preside at all meetings of the Legislative Council unless Governor to presid prevented by illness or other grave cause, and in his absence that 'Member shall preside who is first in precedence of those present.

Council may trans

act business not-

6.-The Legislative Council shall not be disqualified from the transaction of busi- ness on account of any vacancies among the Members thereof; but the said Council shall withstanding not be competent to act in any case unless (including the President) there be present vacancies. at and throughout the meetings of the Council five Members at the least.

7.—The Clerk shall keep Minutes of the proceedings of the Council; and shall, Minutes of pro- if possible, two clear days at least before each meeting, send a printed copy of the ceedings. Minutes of the previous meeting to each Member.

minutes.

3.-When a quorum has been formed, the President shall, if the Minutes of the last Confirmation of meeting have been previously circulated in print among the Members, propose that they be confirmed. If they have not been previously so circulated, the Clerk shall read them and they shall after being approved or, if necessary, corrected, be confirmed; but no debate shall be allowed thereupon, except as to any proposed correction having reference to the accuracy of the Minutes.

9.-The President may at any time suspend or adjourn any meeting.

Suspension or adjournment of meeting.

10.-At any time during a meeting, the Council may, on motion to that effect being Adjournments. carried, adjourn to any other hour or day; and, should the adjournment be to another day, notice of the day to which Council is adjourned shall be given to the Members by the Clerk.