SUMMONING OF CHINESE ORDINANCE, 1899

SUMMONING OF CHINESE ORDINANCE, 1899

ORDINANCE NO. 12 OF 1899.

Summoning of Chinese

AN ORDINANCE to provide for the summoning of chinese
before the registrar general. [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 may be cited as the summoning of chinese ordinance, 1899.
2(1) the governor may at any time direct the registrar general
to inquire into and report as to any matter which is connected with the
new territories as defined by section 2 of the new territories regulation
ordinance, 1899, if such matter exclusively concerns persons of
chinese race, whether british subjects or otherwise.
(2) it shall be lawful for the registrar general to summon in writing
under his hand and seal any person of chinese race (whether a 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 in inquire, reciting in the summons the subject of the
inquiry.
3(1) eveery person so summoned shall be legally bound to attend
before the registrar general at the time and place specified in such
summons, and to answer truthfully all questions which the registrar
general may put to him relating to the matter under inquiry, 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 inquriy, and to permit the inspection of any
property either by the registrar general or by some person deputed by
him for the purpose.
(2) the registrar general shall, for the purposes of this ordinance,
have powers similar to those vested in the supreme court in regard to
administering oaths to witnesses and examining witnesses upon oath.
(3) every person who wilfully gives false evidence upon oath before
the registrar general shall, on summary conviction before a magistrate,
be liable to a penalty not exceeding $200 or to imprisonment, with or without
hard labour, for any term not exceeding 6 months.
(4) the provisions of the magistrates ordinance, 1890, relating to
summary procedure shall apply to any proceedings udner this section. 4 (1) if any person summoned omits to attned at the time and
place so specified, it shall be lawful for the registrar general to issue
his warrant for the arrest of such person, and such warrant shall be
executed by a police officer or constable in the same manner as if it
had been issued by a magistrate, and every person so arrested shall, on
summary conviction before a magistrate, be laible to a penalty not exceeding
$10.
(2) the provisions of the magistrates ordinance, 1890, relating to
summary procedure shall apply to any proceedings under his section.
(3) if any person against whom a warant has been so issued as
aforesaid absconds or conceals himself so that such warrant cannot be
executed, it shall be lawful for a magistrate, on the application of the
registrar general, to order that the rents and profits of such person's
property shall be attached by an officer named in such order until such
time as such person shall appear before the registrar general in obedience
to such warrant. all or an part of the rents and profits so
attached may, if a magistrate in his discretion so orders, be forfeited to
the crown.
5 this ordinance shall only continue in operation for a period of
two years from its commencement, and for such further period or
periods as may from time to time be determined by resolution of the
legislative council.
A.D. 1899. Ordinance No. 40 of 1899. Short title. Power to summon Chinese for examination on inquiry relating to new territories. No. 8 of 1899. Obligation on person summoned to attend and answer. No. 3 of 1890. Warrant for disobedience to summons, and penalty therefor, etc.
No. 3 of 1890.
Duration of the Ordinance.

A.D. 1899. Ordinance No. 40 of 1899. Short title. Power to summon Chinese for examination on inquiry relating to new territories. No. 8 of 1899. Obligation on person summoned to attend and answer. No. 3 of 1890. Warrant for disobedience to summons, and penalty therefor, etc.
No. 3 of 1890.
Duration of the Ordinance.

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