Corporate entry: Legislative Council
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In 1960, the former Advisory Council (q.v.) was abolished and replaced by the Legislative Council, established by the British Solomon Islands (Constitution) Order in Council 1960, and reconstituted under the British Solomon Islands Order in Council 1964. The Executive Council (q.v.) could consist of not more than eight official members, and not more than ten unofficial members. In 1960, it consisted of three ex-officio members and such official and unofficial members as the High Commissioner felt necessary, but in the first instance it had four government and four unofficial members. Two of the latter were Solomon Islanders. Later, there was a full quota of unofficial members including six Solomon Islanders. All Executive Council appointments were the choice of the High Commissioner. When reconstituted under the British Solomon Islands Order 1964, more unofficial members were added. Bills passed by the Legislative Council became law, unless the High Commissioner chose to reserve a bill in order to ascertain Her Majesty's pleasure, and the High Commissioner could also enact legislation without the Legislative Council's advice or consent, subject to restrictions contained in the Royal Instructions. The new constitution provided for the making of ordinances by the High Commissioner with the advice of the Legislative Council, although in certain circumstances the High Commissioner could legislate without reference to the Legislative Council.
Legislative Council meetings began in 1961, in the hall of the British Solomons Training College (q.v.). The chairmen were the High Commissioners Sir John Gutch (q.v.) (1961), Sir David Trench (q.v.) (1961-1964) and Sir Robert Foster (1964-1969). In 1970 the Legislative Council was replaced by the Governing Council (q.v.). The unofficial members of the first Legislative Council were:
1961
Leonard Alufurai (Rev.) (q.v.), Diocese of Melanesia (nominated)
Francis Bugotu (q.v.), All Hallows' School, Pawa (q.v.), teacher
D. K. Jimaru, President, Marovo Council
Mariano Kelesi (q.v.), President, Malaita Council
Willie G. Paia (q.v.), President, Roviana Council
J. S. Sunaone, President, San Cristoval Council
1962
Leonard Alufurai (Rev.), Diocese of Melanesia (nominated)
Mariano Kelesi, President, Malaita Council
John W. Kere (q.v.) (replacing Willie G. Paia (q.v)), Medical Supervisor, Helena Goldie Hospital, Munda
Roy Kimisi (replacing D. K. Jimaru)
Michael Rapasia (q.v.) (replacing Francis Bugotu), President of the Guadalcanal Council
G. Waokahi (replacing J. S. Sunaone)
1964
Leonard Alufurai (Rev.), Diocese of Melanesia (nominated)
Jack Campbell (q.v.) (Eastern Solomons)
David Kausimae (q.v.) (South Malaita)
Mariano Kelesi (North Malaita)
E. V. Lawson (q.v.) (Honiara)
J. H. MacDonald (Western Solomons)
Lillian Ogatina Poznanski (q.v.) (Central Solomons)
Michael Rapasia (Guadalcanal)
James Michael Wall (q.v.), Catholic Church (nominated)
1967
Mariano Kelesi(North East Malaita)
Willie Betu (q.v.) (Isabel-Russells)
Jack Campbell (Makira)
Baddeley Devesi (q.v.) (North Guadalcanal)
John P. Hoka (Central Solomons)
David Kausimae (South Malaita)
John W. Kere (Dr) (New Georgia)
Edmond Kiva (q.v.) (Venerable Archdeacon) (Eastern Outer Islands)
Leone Laku (q.v.) (South Guadalcanal)
Clement Ofai (q.v.) (Dr) (North Malaita)
William D. Ramsay (Honiara)
Gordon Siama (q.v.) (North Western Solomons)
Peter Taloni (q.v.) (Central Malaita)
Peter K. Thompson (q.v.) (Venerable Archdeacon) (North Central Malaita)
1969
Willie Betu (Isabel-Russells)
Jack Campbell (Makira)
Baddeley Devesi (North Guadalcanal)
John P. Hoka (Central Solomons)
David Kausimae (South Malaita)
Mariano Kelesi (North East Malaita)
John W. Kere (Dr) (New Georgia)
Edmond Kiva (Venerable Archdeacon) (Eastern Outer Islands)
Leone Laku (South Guadalcanal)
Clement Ofai (Dr) (North Malaita)
William D. Ramsay (Honiara)
Gordon Siama (North Western Solomons)
Peter Taloni (Central Malaita)
Peter K. Thompson (Venerable Archdeacon) (North Central Malaita)
The British Solomon Islands Order 1964 provided for a new constitution, with the High Commissioner as President and eleven official and ten unofficial members. The major change was the election of eight of the ten unofficial members. The first elections to the Legislative Council were held on 7 April 1965. In Honiara, the member was elected by direct election and universal adult suffrage, while in the other seven constituencies members were elected by electoral colleges, which were elected by the Local Council in each constituency from among its own members on the basis of one elector for about every five hundred people. The 1964 Constitution was replaced by the British Solomon Islands Order 1967, which provided for a Legislative Council consisting of three ex-officio members, fourteen elected members and not more than twelve public servants. In 1970, the 1967 Order was replaced by a new one by which a Governing Council replaced the Legislative Council (1970-1974).
Solomon Islands history was made in 1965 when Lillian Ogatina (later Poznanski) from Kia, Isabel Island attained national prominence through her election to the Legislative Council as an unofficial member, defeating four other candidates to become its first (and only) female member. (NS Oct. 1960, 21 May 1966; BSIP Legislative Council Paper no. 22, 1969, 'Report of a Special Select Committee on Interim Proposals on Constitutional Development', Apr. 1969; AR 1969, 138, AR 1970, 108-109)
Related entries
Published resources
Journals
- British Solomon Islands Protectorate (ed.), British Solomon Islands Protectorate News Sheet (NS), 1955-1975. Details
Reports
- British Solomon Islands Protectorate, British Solomon Islands Protectorate Annual Reports (AR), 1896-1973. Details
