1858-04-05 — Page 1

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 10 of 1858.

MONDAY, 5th APRIL, 1858.

PRESENT:

HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR AND ALL THE MEMBERS, EXCEPT THE HONOURABLE THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR, ON ACCOUNT OF INDISPOSITION.

The Meeting of the Council which stood adjourned for the 3d instant, having been postponed by order of His Excellency The Governor to this day, the Council met accordingly.

The Minutes of the last Council were read and approved.

His Excellency laid on the Table the Ordinance for regulating Chinese Passenger Ships, which was read a first time on the 24th February, and since published in the Government Gazette of the 6th March. His Excellency stated that, as the measure contemplated by the enactment involved important questions of International Law, he would merely propose that the Ordinance be read a second time, in order to ascertain the opinion of the Legislative Council as to the principle contained in the Ordinance, and the passing thereof be deferred till the pleasure of Her Majesty's Government has been communicated.

The Governor then proposed that the Ordinance be read a second time. Debate ensued,—

And the Council divided:—

Ayes (6.) Noes (3.)

MR JARDINE.

CHIEF MAGISTRATE.

SURVEYOR GENERAL.

COLONIAL TREASURER.

ATTORNEY GENERAL.

CHIEF JUSTICE.

The Ordinance was read a second time. His Excellency declining to pass the Ordinance,—

MR DENT.

MR LYALL.

ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

The Attorney General handed in a Minute of Dissent.

The Ordinance for amending Ordinance No.11 of 1844 was read a second time,— And the Council went into Committee upon the said Ordinance. Certain verbal amendments being made, and agreed to,—

The Governor proposed that this Ordinance do pass.

Question put, and carried.

The Ordinance passed. It bore the following title,—An Ordinance for amending Ordinance No. 11 of 1844, being No. 7 of 1858.

It was ordered, that the said Ordinance be published in the Government Gazette, for general information.

His Excellency laid on the Table a Draft Ordinance for Registration of the Chinese. It was read a first time, and ordered to be printed for circulation amongst Members.

The Council then adjourned till Saturday, the 17th instant, at 12 o'clock. By Order of His Excellency The Governor,

L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO, Clerk of Councils.