678199-1882-Despatches-re-Petition-from-Police-Inspectors-for-increase-of-pay-Charter-of-British-North-Borneo-Company-Issue-of-Notes-of-the-Hongkong---Shanghai-Bank-in-Straits-Settlements- — Page 7

THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 11TH MARCH, 1882.

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(xv.) To sue and be sued by the Company's name of incorporation as well in Our Courts in Our United Kingdom, or in Our Courts in Our Colonies or Possessions, or in Our Courts in foreign countries, as elsewhere.

(xvi.) To take and hold, without licence in mortmain or other authority than this Our Charter, messuages and hereditaments in England and in any of Our Colonies or Possessions and elsewhere, convenient for carrying on the management of the affairs of the Company, and to dispose from time to time of any such messuages and hereditaments when not required for that purpose.

(xvii.) To do all lawful things incidental or conducive to the exercise or enjoyment of the authorities and powers of the Company in this Our Charter expressed or referred to or any of them.

Questions of Title.

16.-If at any time Our Secretary of State thinks fit to object to the exercise by the Company of any authority or power within any part of the territories comprised in the several grants aforesaid, or otherwise acquired under this Our Charter, on the ground of there being an adverse claim to that part, the Company shall defer to that objection.

Prohibition of Monoply.

17.-Nothing in this Our Charter shall be deemed to authorize the Company to set up or grant any general monopoly of trade; and, subject only to customs duties imposed for revenue purposes, and to restrictions on importation similar in character to those applicable in Our United Kingdom, trade with the Company's territories shall be free.

Deed of Settlement.

18. Within one year after the date of this Our Charter there shall be executed by the members of the Company for the time being a Deed of Settlement providing for—

(i.) The amount and division of the capital of the Company and the calls to be made in respect

thereof.

(ii.) The registration of members of the Company.

(iii.) The preparation and the circulation among the members of annual accounts.

(iv.) The audit of those accounts by independent auditors.

(v.) The making of Bye-laws.

vi.) The making and using of official seals of the Company.

vii.) The winding-up (in case of need) of the Company's affairs.

(viii.) Any other matters usual or proper to be provided for in respect of a Charter Company. 19. The Deed of Settlement shall before the execution thereof be submitted to and approved by the Lords of Our Council, and a certificate of their approval thereof signed by the Clerk of Our Council shall be indorsed on this Our Charter and on the Deed of Settlement.

20.--The provisions of the Deed of Settlement may be from time to time varied or added to by a Supplementary Deed made and executed in such manner and subject to such conditions as the Deed of Settlement prescribes.

And We do further will ordain and declare that this Our Charter shall be acknowledged by Our Governors, and Our Naval and Military Officers, and Our Consuls, and Our other Officers, in Our Colonies and Possessions, and on the High Seas, and elsewhere, and they shall severally give full force and effect to this Our Charter, and shall recognize and be in all lawful things aiding to the Company and its officers.

And we do further will ordain and declare that this Our Charter shall be taken construed and adjudged in the most favourable and beneficial sense for and to the best advantage of the Company as well in Our Courts in Our United Kingdom, and in Our Courts in Our Colonies or Possessions, and in Our Courts in foreign countries as elsewhere, notwithstanding that there may appear to be in this Our Charter any non-recital, mis-recital, uncertainty or imperfection.

And We do lastly will ordain and declare that in case at any time it is made to appear to us in Our Council that the Company has failed to comply with any material condition by this Our Charter prescribed, it shall be lawful for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, and We do hereby expressly reserve and take to Ourselves Our Heirs and Successors the right and power, by writing under the Great Seal of Our United Kingdom, to revoke this Our Charter, without prejudice to any power to repeal the same by law belonging to Us or them, or to any of Our Courts Ministers or Officers, independently of this present declaration and reservation.

In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent.

Witness Ourself at Our Palace at Westminster, this first day of November, in the forty-

fifth year of Our Reign.

By Her Majesty's command,

(L.S.) CARDEW.