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Mr Cardwell before leaving England to assume the administration of this Government
That Despatch requested my attention
The 12th The I whether early regretted me to turn to the following subjects:
1st. The efficiency of the present Police System on land or sea
2nd. The mode in which the Registration of Boats is at present enforced and the possibility of effecting such a registration will furnish the Naval Authorities with useful knowledge as to the character of Vessels, leaving the Port, and risking obstructing their proceedings, if Piratical.
3rd. The possibility of controlling the sale of Arms and authorizing the Police to seize them in any unlicensed Vessel
4th. The probability of effecting this object with the aid of the Chinese Government if the latter is found to be essential.
5th. The allegation that Crime is encouraged by the difficulty of obtaining convictions at Hongkong, and, if so, the expediency of constituting a special Court and mode of trial in reference to Piracy Cases.
6th. The proposal of placing at the disposal of the Colonial Government an armed Colonial Steamer to be built and maintained wholly or in part at the expense of the Colony.
3. I have now the honour to report first in reference to the Police that it does not comprise any individual who had some experience previous to his joining the Colonial forces, and further that none of the