experience sufficiently long to insure to us that they will not shortly be greatly modified or added to - and that further legislation may not be necessary.
Unless therefore the Colonial Office should recommend other course I should adopt the recent criminal Acts of England.
I may add that I know of no case of doubt or difficulty to have arisen from the state of the backward Legislation.
It appears to me that there is almost equal reason, for adopting the enactments of a civil nature as for adopting Criminal Law of England in the way proposed.
Considering that Hongkong is a small Colony I think that we should be jealous of much law making here without paramount necessity.
Enclosed I return the letter of the Acting Chief Justice.
I have, &c
(Signed) John Smaly Attorney General.
(True Copy) Mahlerander Arling Colonial Secretary.