II.  Afrika.  912  151.  Or.-Riv.-Col.

(2.)  Provided  that  if  such  vacancy  occurs  when  the  Legislative  Assembly  is
not  in  session,  the  Speaker,  or,  in  case  of  the  death,  incapacity,  or  absence  from  the
Colony  of  the  Speaker,  the  Clerk  to  the  Assembly,  may,  on  a  certificate  under  the
hands  of  two  Members  of  the  Assembly,  stating  that  such  vacancy  has  occurred
and  the  cause  thereof,  inform  the  Governor  thereof.

(3.)  The  Governor,  on  receiving  such  information,  shall  cause  the  necessary
steps  to  be  taken  as  prescribed  in  the  Second  Schedule  hereto  for  filling  such  vacancy.

Legislative  Couneil  and  Legislative  Assembly.

XXVI.—(1.)  There  shall  be  a  Session  of  the  Legislature  once  at  least  in  every
year,  so  that  a  period  of  twelve  months  shall  not  intervene  between  the  last  sitting
of  the  Legislature  in  one  Session  and  the  first  sitting  thereof  in  the  next  Session.

(2.)  The  first  Session  shall  be  held  within  six  months  of  the  date  when  these
Our  Letters  Patent  shall  commence  to  take  effect.

XXVII  The  first  and  every  other  Session  of  the  Legislature  ahall,  until  otherwise
  directed  by  law,  be  held  in  Bloemfontein  at  such  times  as  may  be  notified  by
the  Governor  by  Proclamation  in  the  “Gazette”.

XXVIIL—(1.)  The  Governor  may  from  time  to  time  prorogue  the  Legislature
by  Proclamation,  which  shall  be  published  in  the  “Gazette,”  and  the  Governor  may,
whenever  he  shall  think  fit,  dissolve  the  Legislative  Assembly  and  any  elected  Legislative
  Council  in  like  manner.

(2.)  The  Governor  shall  dissolve  the  Legislative  Assembly  and  any  elected
Legislative  Council  at  the  expiration  of  five  years  from  the  date  of  its  election.

XXIX.  The  Governor  may  transmit  by  Message  to  the  Legislative  Council
and  the  Legislative  Assembly  the  draft  of  any  Bill  which  it  may  appear  to  him
desirable  to  introduce,  and  all  such  drafts  shall  be  taken  into  consideration  by  the
said  Council  and  Assembly,  as  the  case  may  be,  in  such  convenient  manner  as  shall
be  provided  in  that  behalf  by  Rules  of  Procedure.

XXX.—(1.)  Every  Member  of  the  Legislative  Council  and  Legislative  Assembly
shall,  before  being  permitted  to  sit  or  vote  therein,  take  and  subscribe  the  following
oath  before  the  President  or  Speaker  respectively,  or  before  such  person  as  may  be
appointed  thereto  by  the  Governor,  should  such  oath  be  required  to  be  taken  before
the  appointment  or  election  of  a  President  or  Speaker,  as  the  case  may  be:—

“J,  A.B.,  do  swear  that  I  will  be  faithful  and  bear  true  allegiance  to  His
Majesty  King  Edward  the  VIlth,  his  heirs  and  successors,  according  to  law.  So
help  me  God.”

(2.)  Provided  that  any  person  authorized  by  law  to  make  a  solemn  affirmation
or  declaration  instead  of  taking  an  oath,  may  make  such  affirmation  or  declaration
in  lieu  of  such  oath.

XXXI.  All  questions  in  the  Legislative  Council  or  Legislative  Assembly  shall
be  determined  by  a  majority  of  tlıe  votes  of  Members  present,  other  than  the  President,
  Speaker,  or  presiding  Member,  who  shall,  however,  have  and  exercise  a
casting  vote  in  case  of  an  equality  of  votes.