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1218 THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 19TH DECEMBER, 1896.

Section 17 which also relates to abduction is taken from section 7 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885.

Section 18 is founded upon section 17 of the English Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act 1894, and is in- tended to meet the difficulty which exists in the case of Chinese of obtaining strict legal proof of age.

Section 19 introduces the provisions of section 9 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885.

Section 20 follows section 20 of the Criminal Law Amend- inent Act in making parties and their husbands and wives competent witnesses. The corresponding section of Ordi- nance 11 of 1890 (section 29) makes no provision for the husband or wife of the parties charged being called as a witness, but there appears to be no valid reason for not following the English law in toto upon this point.

Section 21 re-enacts the provisions of section 32 of Ordinance 11 of 1890.

Section 22 corresponds with section 12 of Ordinance 11 of 1890, and prescribes the term of imprisonment for certain offences against the Ordinanec, and section 24 which cor- responds with section 13 of the Ordinance of 1890 sanctions the infliction of a whipping in certain cases.

Section 17 of Ordinance 11 of 1890 has not been re- enacted because a refuge for girls has now been completed. Subsection 3 of section 27 of the Bill is new, and has been suggested by the Registrar General.

It does not seem necessary to re-enact the provisions of section 20 of Ordinance 11 of 1890, which limited to a cer- tniu extent the duration of Part II. of that Ordinance. By an unanimous resolution of the Legislative Council, passed on the 12th of April, 1894, Part II. of Ordinance 11 of 1890 was continued in force for a period of five years from that date.

HENRY E. POLLOCK, Acting Attorney General,

GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.—No. 489.

His Excellency the Governor has given his assent, in the name and on behalf of the QUEEN, to the following Ordinances passed by the Legislative Council:---

Ordinance No. 19 of 1896.—An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, to further amend "The Post Office Ordinance, 1887."

Ordinance No. 20 of 1896.--An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, to provide for compensation being paid to Pawnbrokers in certain cases.

By Command,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 15th December, 1896.

Construction.

Power of

Postmaster General te fine Officer.

No. 19 OF 1896.

J. H. STEWART LOCKHART, Colonial Secretary.

An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hong- kong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, to further amend The Post Office Ordinance, 1887.

LS

BE

WILLIAM ROBINSON,

Governor.

[15th December, 1896.]

it enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows:-

1. This Ordinance shall be read and construed together with The Fost Office Ordinance, 1887, (as amended by Ordinances 22 of 1889 and 10 of 1894).

2. The Postmaster General may punish any Officer of the Post Office except the Assistant Postmaster General for misconduct, or for neglect or breach of duty, by a fine not exceeding ten dollars, which shall be deducted by the Postmaster General from the pay of such Officer.