that the Registrar of the Vice Admiralty Court (Mr Alexander) in
addressed to the Acting Chief Police, dated 6th May, 1872,
a note as
states
92.
"The usual affidavit having been filed I had no alternative but
"to issue
a Warrant."
I think it is impossible to
concur in this view,
93.
the
I apprehend it was Registrar's primary duty to inform himself whether he had power or jurisdiction in so
grave a matter
as the seizure of a French Mail Steamer, before he issued his Warrant, and to apply to the Judge
C.O. 751/69.
5805/69.
431
of the Vice Admiralty Court in so important
a Case).
The Registrar still further
seeks to justify himself on the grounds that the terms of the Convention of the 24th September 1856 have never been officially communicated to the Vice Admiralty Court, and that he (the Registrar)
has received no instructions thereon.
I am as little disposed to
25.
accept this latter plea,
as the former, inasmuch
as
Your Lordship
will find, on reference to Despatches No 19 and 82, Hongkong, addressed
to
my Predecessor by Carl Granville, dated 8 February and 26 May 1869.