就
171
them to exercise authority
over the Chinese
population in accordance with Chinese usages, to far as these should not be repugnant to
humanity,
and over
other persons according
炉
to general police practice in England; it being then, understood to be the purpose of the Governor in Council to supersede these Warrants by Colonial Ordinances more specifically regulating the Magistrate's authority. But this sunumary power ( since) confirmed by Ordinance 10 of 1844) was soon with the verbal sanction of the Sevenment, extended to all persons other than those of European origin; and shortly befue His Excellency the late Governor was relieved, an Ordinance giving it a still wider range was about to be laid before the Council. This purpose having been interrupted, the right hitherto exercised of disposing of such cases summarily when the Defendants
are
are not Chinese, rests almost solely
were it
on
to be
prescription, which might not protect us
it disputed : yet were the offender sent for trial in the Supreme Court; such a course would frequently entail much expense
the Government, and on
account of the
ov
fluctuating nature of population, much hardship on all parties
Jam
concerned.
am aware that such a power cannot be reconciled with the strict principles of the English Law, but the unprecedented nature of the population of Hongkong, seems to warrant a departure from and could form no just were the defendants in every
cause
00 MILov
usage, of complaint,
cate
to be
allowed to claim the right of trial by jury.
should they Magistrate
deem the decision of the
le erroneous.
(Fruelspy.)
I have, te.
(Signer) C. B. Hillier
Marine
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Off 9 Chief Magushate of Police,
Off 2 Colonial Secretary.