462 THE HONGKONG governmeNT GAZETTE, 20TH NOVEMBER, 1875.
No. 202.
The jurisdiction given by section V is larger than that formerly exercised by the Court of Petty Sessions, and includes crimes that were not justiciable by that Court; but it is considered that Magistrates may safely be entrusted with the punishment of all petty offenders, although their crimes happen to be technically serious, and such as would be punishable with a long term of penal servitude, if the circumstances justified the sentence. For instance, the cases of two men about to be tried for stealing, one a block, and the other a pair of trousers, are clearly matters for the Police Court, but as the offences occurred on board ship, they amount to larceny on board a vessel in the harbour, a crime to which the law has annexed a punishment extending up to fourteen years penal servitude.
The Ordinance also substitutes the stocks for the indefinite power of inflicting Chinese punishments given to Magistrates by section 25 of Ordinance 10 of 1844. In other respects, the powers of Magistrates are left as they were, but the language of the Ordinance has been simplified, whenever this was possible, with- out affecting the sense.
Hongkong, 18th November, 1875.
JOHN BRAMSTON,
Attorney General.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
Whereas it has been represented to His Excellency the Administrator, that great inconvenience has been caused to the Naval Authorities by persons letting off Blue Lights and Rockets at night time in the immediate vicinity of Naval and Military Establishments, without due notice having been given; it is hereby notified that, with a view to preventing unnecessary alarm, information should be given through this Office, or otherwise, to the Naval and Military Authorities of the intention of persons to let off Blue Lights and Rockets, as when used at night they are the universal signal afloat for distress or
want of assistance.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Ilongkong, 15th November, 1875.
No. 203.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.
Under Provisions of Ordinance No. 11 of 1844, notice is hereby given that a Special Sessions of the Justices of the Peace will be held at the Police Magistrates' Court, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon of Tuesday, the 4th day of January next, and thereafter on the First Tuesday of every month, for the purpose of considering applications for granting or transferring Spirit Licences during the year 1876.
Such applications must be lodged at the Police Magistrates' Office, at least ten days before each of the Sessions now notified.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th November, 1875.
No. 204.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary,
Tenders will be received at this Office, until Noon on Monday, the 29th November, for the supply of the undermentioned Articles for the use of the Police Department, from the First day of December, 1875, to the Thirty-first day of May, 1876-
Oil. Lampwick. Buckets. Tubs. Salt. Soap. Gram. Bran. Paddy. Oats. Straw. Hay.
per jar large & small,
of
per dozen
24 catties. of each.
each.
per lb.
per picul.
The above enumerated Articles must be of good quality, deliverable at the Central Police Barracks, at such times and in such quantities as may be required.
Forms of Tender and any further information can be obtained on application at the Office of the Captain Superintendent of Police.
No Tenders will be received unless sent in in the form required.
By Command,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Hongkong, 20th November, 1875.
CECIL C. SMITH, Acting Colonial Secretary.