101
successful result, it was expedient to remand him to prison for a certain period, in order to be able to bring forward his evidence against the other murderers at their trials. On the 29th day of the
12th month of last year, (27th January, 1854,) however, the prisoner Le-Hwa died.
I have again addressed the various district Officers, urging them to take active steps for the speedy capture of the remaining murderers, and I beg now to send the above reply to the question of you the honorable Consul.
A communication,
TO ELMSLIE,
H. B. M.'s Officiating Consul at Canton.
Hienfung 4th year, 2nd month, 15th day (13th March, 1854.)
True Translation,
True Copy,
(Signed,)
M. C. MORRISON.
W. H. MEDHURST.
An Ordinance for Her Majesty's Subjects within the Dominions of the Emperor of China, or within any Ship or Vessel at a Distance of not more than One Hundred Miles from the Coast of China.
ANNO DECIMO SEPTIMO VICTORIE REGINÆ-
No. 2 of 1854.
BY His Excellency Sir SAMUEL GEORGE BONHAM, Baronet, Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Colony of Hongkong and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China, with the Advice of the Legislative Council of Hongkong.
AN ORDINANCE TO INVEST HER MAJESTY'S CONSULS AT THE PORTS IN CHINA WITH JURISDICTION OVER THE PERSONS AND PROPERTY OF LUNATICS AND PERSONS OF UNSOUND MIND, AS ALSO WITH THE POWER INHERENT IN THE OFFICE OF CORO-
NER.
[31st March, 1854.}
WHEREAS it is deemed expedient that the Jurisdiction and Power above men- tioned should be vested in manner aforesaid : Be it therefore enacted and ordained by His Excellency the Governor and Chief Superintendent of the Trade of Her Majes- ry's Subjects in China, with the Advice of the Legislative Council of Hongkong, That:-
Title.
Preamble.
Consuls at the
unsound Mind.
I. The Consul or Acting Consul at each of the Ports in China shall possess and exercise within the Limits of the District in which he may be personally appointed, Ports to have Ju- the same Power and Jurisdiction over the Persons and Property of Lunaties and Per- risdiction over the sons of unsound Mind therein being as the Supreme Court of Hongkong possesses Persons and Pro- and excrcises within that Colony; and that any Commission of Enquiry shall perty of Persons of consist of such Consul or Acting Consul as aforesaid: and such Consul shall call to nis Assistance Three British Subjects of the Age of not less than Twenty-one Ycars, who shall act as Jurors. Provided always such Court shall have and exercise con- at Hongkong to Supreme Court current Jurisdiction with such Consuls in regard to such Matters. But it shall not have be bound, unless in a fit Case it shall deem it right so to do by Injunction, Order, or Jurisdiction, otherwise, to debar or prohibit any such Consul or Committee appointed by him of the Person or Estate of any Person of unsound Mind, from dealing with such Persons or their Property; nor shall such Court, unless in like Case, be bound to stay, alter, or reverse any Proceedings of any such Consul or Committee.
concurrent
Consuls to exer-
II. Every such Consul or Acting Consul within his District aforesaid shall by vir- the of his Office be Coroner of such District, and shall and may discharge the Duties cise within their appertaining to the Office of Coroner, summoning when necessary a Jury of British respective Juris- Subjects, which it is hereby declared may be constituted of Three Persons only of
dictions the Duties the full Age of Twenty-one Years; and any Person not attending when duly sum-
of Coroners. moned as a Juror to serve on such Jury shall be liable to a Penalty not exceeding Fifty Dollars.
S. G. BONHAM.
Passed the Legislative Council of Hongkong,
this 31st Day of March, 1854.
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.
NOTICE.
Wanted, a Passage to Singapore for Twenty-six Chinese Convicts; for which Sealed Tenders will be received at this Office.
For Particulars, apply to the Acting Harbour Master.
By Order,
Colonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 15th March, 1854.
W. CAINE,
Colonial Secretary.