1865-02-23 — Page 1

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISALTIVE COUNCIL OF HONGKONG. No. 2 OF 1865

THURSDAY, 23RD FEBRUARY, 1865.

PRESENT :

His Excellency the GOVERNOR and all the Members, except the COLONIAL TREASURER.

The Council met to-day by Special Summons.

The Minutes of the Council held on the 2nd Instant, were read and approved. The GOVERNOR laid on the table two Petitions very numerously signed, one being from the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, the other from 293 Residents in this Colony. The Prayer of both Petitions was to the effect that His Excellency would be pleased again to introduce the Bill known as the Limited Liability Ordinance, which had been rejected a previous Meeting. The Petitions having been read and received, and His Excellency having expressed his concurrence in the views therein set forth, -

The Bill, entitled "An Ordinance for the Incorporation, Regulation and Winding-up of Trading Companies and other Associations," was read a first time. The GOVERNOR then explained to the Council that if the regular interval required by the Rules were allowed to elapse between the first and second reading, the measure could not become law before his departure from the Colony; that the Bill now introduced had been already for some time before the Public, and was identical with that which appeared in the Government Gazette; and that it was thereupon for the Council to decide whether this was a case of emergency which admitted of a suspension of the Rules, at the same time expressing his individual opinion that no inconvenience could ensue from such proceeding, as in the event of the Bill being read a second time, it was his intention to refer the same to a Special Committee.

Whereupon, it was moved by Mr. MURRAY and seconded by the AUDITOR GENERAL, that, the case before the Council being one of emergency within the meaning of the Rules, the one which prescribes an interval of Ten Days to elapse between the first and second reading of a Bill be suspended.

And on His Excellency putting the Question, that the Rule be suspended, - Debate ensued.

Council divided.

Ayes (6.) Noes (2.)

Mr. MURRAY. Mr. WHITTALL.

Mr. CHOMLEY. The CHIEF JUSTICE.

The AUDITOR GENERAL.

The JUDGE OF THE COURT OF SUMMARY

JURISDICTION.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.

Question carried.

The GOVERNOR put the Question that the Bill, entitle - "An Ordinance for the Incorporation, Regulation and Winding-up of Trading Companies and other Associations" be now read a second time.

Debate ensued.

Council divided.

Ayes (7.) Noes (2.)

Mr. MURRAY Mr. WHITTALL.

Mr. CHOMLEY The COLONIAL TREASURER, who took his The A Seat at this stage of the proceedings. UDITOR GENERAL. The JUDGE OF THE COURT OF SUMMARY

JURISDICTION.

The ATTORNEY GENERAL.

The COLONIAL SECRETARY.

The CHIEF JUSTICE.

Question carried.

The Bill was read a second time, and referred to a Special Committee appointed by the Governor and composed of the Attorney General, the Judge of the Court of Summary Jurisdiction, the Auditor General, and two of the Un-official Members hereafter to be named by His Excellency.

The Jury List for 1865 was laid on the Table, together with several applications forwarded by the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and others since received by the Clerk of Councils. - The Jury List was then read and amended, and a List of Special Jurors drawn out which was unanimously adopted.

The Council adjourned to Saturday, the 4th Proximo, at Noon.

HERCULES G. R. ROBINSON,

Governor.

Read and approved, this 4th Day of March, 1865.

L. D’ALMADA E CASTRO,

Clerk of Councils.