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OFFICIAL REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS.
Meeting of 21st October, 1959.
PRESENT:
HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT (PRESIDENT) MR. CLAUDE BRAMALL BURGESS, C.M.G., O.B.E.
HIS EXCELLENCY THE COMMANDER BRITISH FORCES
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR EDRIC MONTAGUE BASTYAN, K.B.E., C.B, THE HONOURABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY
MR. EDMUND BRINSLEY TEESDALE, M.C. (Acting).
THE HONOURABLE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
MR. ARTHUR HOOTON, Q.C. (Acting).
THE HONOURABLE THE SECRETARY FOR CHINESE AFFAIRS
MR. PATRICK CARDINALL MASON SEDGWICK (Acting).
THE HONOURABLE THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
MR. ARTHUR GRENFELL CLARKE, C.M.G.
THE HONOURABLE ALLAN INGLIS
(Director of Public Works).
DR. THE HONOURABLE DAVID JAMES MASTERTON MACKENZIE, C.M.G., O.B.E. (Director of Medical and Health Services).
THE HONOURABLE COLIN GEORGE MERVYN MORRISON
(Director of Urban Services).
THE HONOURABLE KENNETH STRATHMORE KINGHORN
(Commissioner of Labour).
THE HONOURABLE NGAN SHING-KWAN, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE KWOK CHAN, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE JOHN DOUGLAS CLAGUE, C.B.E., M.C., T.D.
THE HONOURABLE HUGH DAVID MACEWEN BARTON, M.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE DHUN JEHANGIR RUTTONJEE, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE FUNG PING FAN, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE RICHARD CHARLES LEE, O.B.E.
THE HONOURABLE KWAN CHO YIU, O.B.E.
MR. ANDREW MCDONALD CHAPMAN (Deputy Clerk of Councils).
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MINUTES.
The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7th October, 1959 were confirmed.
PAPERS.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY by command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government, laid upon the table the following papers: —
Sessional Papers, 1959: —
No. 17—Annual Report by the Chairman, Urban Council and Director of Urban Services for the year 1958/59.
No. 18—Annual Report by the Commissioner of Police for the year 1958/59.
No. 19—Annual Report by the Registrar General for the year 1958/59. No. 20—Annual Report by the Postmaster General for the year 1958/59.
No. 21—Annual Report by the Commissioner of Inland Revenue for the year 1958/59.
No. 22—Annual Report by the Commissioner of Rating and Valuation for the year 1958/59.
No. 23—Annual Report by the Controller of Broadcasting for the year 1958/59.
No. 24—Annual Report by the Registrar of Trade Unions for the year 1958/59.
No. 25—Report by the Hong Kong Housing Authority for the year 1957/58.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE (SUMMARY OFFENCES) ORDINANCE, 1955.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the following resolution: —
Resolved, pursuant to section 11 of the Administration of Justice (Summary Offences) Ordinance, 1955, that the duration of the said Ordinance be extended for the term of one year with effect from the 28th October, 1959.
He said: Sir, I rise to move the Resolution standing in my name, which is designed to extend the life of the Administration of Justice (Summary Offences) Ordinance, 1955, for a further year.
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Sir, this Ordinance was enacted four years ago as an experimental measure designed to assist in reducing the congestion then prevailing in the magistrates courts. What it does is to permit persons summoned in respect of a limited category of minor offences to plead guilt and pay their fines without the necessity for a hearing before a magistrate.
It is considered desirable that this experiment should continue for a further year. In the course of next year it is intended thoroughly to review its operation in the present circumstances and having regard to the increase in the number of magistrates' courts since 1955, and it is hoped before the next year is out to reach a conclusion whether the Ordinance should be made a part of the permanent law of the Colony or allowed to lapse.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
OCCUPIERS LIABILITY BILL, 1959.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled "An Ordinance to amend the law as to the liability of occupiers and others for injury or damage resulting to persons or goods lawfully on any land or other property from dangers due to the state of the property or to things done or omitted to be done there, and for purposes connected therewith".
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause. Clauses 1 to 7 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Occupiers Liability Bill, 1959, had passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed into law.
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MERCHANT SHIPPING (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1959.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL moved the Second reading of a Bill intituled “An Ordinance to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance, 1953”.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Second time.
Council then went into Committee to consider the Bill clause by clause.
H. E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT: —With your concurrence, gentlemen, we will take the clauses in blocks of five.
Clauses 1 to 19 were agreed to.
Council then resumed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL reported that the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 1959, has passed through Committee without amendment and moved the Third reading.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY seconded.
The question was put and agreed to.
The Bill was read a Third time and passed into law.
ADJOURNMENT.
H. E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT: —That concludes the business for today, gentlemen. When is it your pleasure that we meet again?
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: —Sir, may I suggest this day three weeks?
H. E. THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT: —Council will stand adjourned to this day three weeks.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.