Miers
the Securities, on
certain certain
the
"( : ) I have heard that parties son- -planning against the granting of Registers to blind Landholders here were most willing to assist me in forcing that very privilege by becoming the payment of a certain sum, whilst again they willingly lend their names for a consideration to obtain the register of Chinese owned property which only opens the door to fraud and deceit " " how passed time, and I could bring to instance to your notice. Surely it is much better that Chinese, bona fide holders of land in the Colony, should be able to obtain the privilege direct, as is provided for in the Ordinance. It would seem, however, that the provisions of the Ordinance are not strictly
295
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Should
Inforced, which I think is much to be deplored, since, in order to develop the trade of the adjacent coasts, it is most desirable that the Colony should favour good trading craft, and I submit that they should enjoy the fullest protection from Her Majesty's Naval forces. The granting of Colonial Registers to these vessels is no doubt advisable, but means should be taken to see that they are really efficient, as contemplated in the provisions of the Ordinance, and that some capital is embarked in them. It is provided that such vessels shall be furnished with good chains and Anchors, Copper soils, sheathing metal, &c., that they should in fact be well fitted for sea; but all this has been easily evaded by providing ridiculously small anchors
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