Page:Constitution Granted by His Majesty Kamehameha III. (1852).pdf/14

 47. Whenever the throne shall become vacant by reason of the King’s death, or otherwise, and during the minority of any heir to the throne, the Kuhina Nui, for the time being, shall, during such vacancy or minority, perform all the duties incumbent on the King, and shall have and exercise all the powers, which by this Constitution are vested in the King.

48. Whenever during the vacancy of the throne, or the minority of any heir to it, the office of Kuhina Nui shall become vacant by death, resignation, or otherwise, then the Privy Council, or the major part of them, shall during each vacancy, have full power and authority to do, and execute all and every such acts, matters, and things, as the King or the Kuhina Nui might or could, by virtue of this Constitution, do or execute. And in such case, the Privy Council, immediately after the occuring of such vacancy, shall cause a meeting of both Houses of the Legislature, who shall elect by joint ballot a person to fill the office of Kubina Nui.

49. There shall continue to be a Council of State for advising the King in the Executive part of the Government, and in directing the affairs of the Kingdom, according to the Constitution and laws of the land, to be called the King’s Privy Council of State.

50. The members of the Privy Council are appointed by the King, and hold their offices during His Majesty’s pleasure. The King’s Ministers and the Governors of the Islands are, ex-officio, members of His Privy Council. The Privy Council regulates its own proceedings by Bye-laws enacted by themselves and approved by the King.

51. The Ministers of the King are appointed and commissioned by Him, and hold their offices during His Majesty’s pleasure, subject to impeachment.

52. The King’s Ministers constitute his Cabinet Council, and, as such, are his special advisers in the Executive affairs of the Kingdom.

53. Each of them shall keep an office at the seat of Government, be accountable for the conduct of his deputies and clerks; and grant information, so far as may consist with the King’s honor and the good of the public service, to either House of the Legislature, or by a deputy, as such house shall determine.

54. Each of them shall make an annual report to the Legislature, made up to the first of January next preceding, of the transactions and business of his Department, within one week after the opening of the Legislature.