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Crown. The remaining two are also appointed direct
by the Crown, the only condition being that one of
them shall be a Barrister or Advocate of Scotland of
not less than five years’ standing. The Commanderin-Chief
might be constituted an extraordinary member
of this Council. Prior to 1861 the number of
members had been four ; a fifth was then appointed by
the Crown ; the appointment of a sixth was authorized
by the Act of 1874.
When the Governor-General thinks it expedient
to visit any part of India unaccompanied by his
Council, he has power to nominate some member as
President of the Council ; such member possesses full
powers except those of assenting to, or withholding
his assent from, or reserving for reference to Her
Majesty, any law or regulation framed. The Governor-General
may, in such circumstances, alone exercise
all or any of the powers which might be exercised by
the Governor-General in Council, except those of
making laws and regulations.
In the absence of the Governor-General or President
from any meeting of Council (other than
meetings for the purpose of making laws and regulations)
owing to indisposition or any other cause, the
senior member presides ; but acts made at such meetings
require the signature of the Governor-General
or President to render them valid.
The procedure in case of his refusal to sign is
the same as that provided in the cases where the