Sessional_Paper_1900 — Page 115

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which was widely and publicly spoken about at the time, and referred to in a leading article in the China Mail of 9th August, 1899, copy of which is attached.

16. I pray you to recommend Her Most Gracious Majesty the QUEEN to disallow this Ordinance.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

(Signed), T. H. WHITEHEAD.

No. 40 or 1899.

An Ordinance to provide for the summoning of Chinese before the Registrar General.

LS

HENRY A. BLAKE,

Governor.

Short title.

Power to summon person for examination.

Person summoned bound to attend and answer.

30th December, 1899.

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

1. This Ordinance inay be cited as The Summoning of Chinese Ordinance, 1899.

2.-(i.) The Governor may at any time direct the Registrar General to enquire into and report as to any matter which is connected with the New Terri- tories as defined by section 2 of Ordinance No. 12 of 1899, if such matter exclu- sively concerns persons of Chinese race, whether British subjects or otherwise.

(ii.) It shall be lawful for the Registrar General to summon in writing under his hand and seal any person of Chinese race (whether British subject or otherwise) who appears to him to be able to give information regarding any matter into which the Registrar General is directed by the Governor to enquire, reciting in the summons the subject of the enquiry.

3. Every person so summoned shall be legally bound to attend before the Registrar General at the time and the place specified in such summons and to answer truthfully all questions which the Registrar General may put to him relating to the matter under enquiry, and to produce, if required by him, to the Registrar General or to some person deputed by him for the purpose, any books, documents, or other written matter pertinent to the enquiry, and to permit the inspection of any property either by the Registrar General or by some person deputed by him for the purpose, and the Registrar General shall for the purposes of this Ordinance have powers similar to those vested in the Supreme Court of this Colony in regard to administering oaths to witnesses and examining witnesses on oath, and any person wilfully giving false evidence on oath before the Registrar General shall be liable upon suminary conviction before a Magistrate, to imprison- ment for a term not exceeding six months, with or without hard labour, or to the