All the authorities of Hong Kong lead petition over a way though the island in such a manner as not to admit the necessity of a step being taken, or to draw the attention of the Chinese authorities to the question of jurisdiction over the lands adjacent to Hong Kong.
众 I am directed to transmit to you a draft Order in Council which has been proposed for that purpose, failing which, if Lord Stanley had concurred in such a course.
Officiates AM. is competent to give ...
The only practical change being that jurisdiction is conferred where it had previously been lacking. It will be seen that the jurisdiction of the Courts established under the Order in Council of 3 March 1865 is not in any way interfered with, but that the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court is fully extended to the island within the limits of Hong Kong.
However, it was necessary to refer to the former Order in Council, because if Lamma Island be Chinese territory in terms of that order...
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