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5. I should wish you to understand that in my opinion the new territory should from the outset be regarded as an integral part of the Colony of Hong- kong, and, as such, should be brought under the general administration of the Colony at as early a date as possible. It appears to me that future difficulties will be obviated by taking this course, and that it will be found to be at once more effective and more economical than treating the leased district as separate from the old Colony. It has, therefore, become necessary to consider whether and in what manner the existing laws of Hongkong may be adapted to the circum- stances of the new territory, and this question, as I need hardly observe, presents many features of great difficulty. On the principle that the new territory shall be taken to be and so far as possible be treated as an integral part of the Colony, it is desirable that as many of the existing laws of Hongkong as are applicable to its circumstances should be at once applied, the administration of the laws being carried out with tact, discretion, and sympathy with native custom and prejudice; but there are some laws which are inapplicable and they require some special notice.
6. I have taken advantage of the presence in this country of Mr. GOODMAN, Attorney General of Hongkong, and he has drawn up a memorandum on the subject together with a draft Ordinance, copies of which are enclosed. This memorandum has been of great use to me in considering the question, and the conclusions at which I have arrived as regards the various Ordinances therein referred to are as follows:-
Ordinance 3 of 1844.-Land, etc. Registration of Deeds, etc., relating
to real property.
7. I concur in Mr. GOODMAN's opinion that for the reasons given by him this Ordinance need not be excluded. The land question, however, is one which must be dealt with promptly, and one of the first steps to be taken must be the appointment of a Land Commissioner with a staff of native surveyors. To this subject I refer in a later paragraph of this despatch.
Ordinance 16 of 1896.—— Registration of Births and Deaths.
8. I concur in Mr. GOODMAN's opinion that this Ordinance should for the present be excluded. Registration of births and deaths should, however, be carried out as soon as possible, and might be entrusted to the Village Councils and Elders, working under the supervision of an Assistant Registrar General or other European Officer.
9. I agree
Ordinance 14 of 1875.-Marriage Registrations.
with Mr. GoODMAN that this Ordinance need not be excluded.
Ordinance 1 of 1887.-Post Office.
10. I agree with Mr. GOODMAN that this Ordinance need not be excluded. But it has been pointed out to me by Mr. LOCKHART that, owing to the known habits of the Chinese in the matter of correspondence, there may be considerable difficulties in carrying it into operation, and I should wish you to use considerable discretion in the matter. You may possibly find it desirable to come to some arrangement with the Chinese Sub-Post Offices such as is in force in the Straits Settlements, and in that case the Governor of that Colony would doubtless be able to give you every information.
Ordinance 21 of 1887.-Licensing Consolidation.
11. I concur in Mr. GOODMAN's opinion that it would be as well not to extend this Ordinance to the new territory for the present.