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that his Excellency, on learning the position of affairs, caused the Honorable the Acting Attorney General to apply to the Judge of the Vice Admiralty Court with a view to obtaining a revocation of the Warrant issued for seizing The Awa, on the ground that she came within the scope of Article V of the Postal Convention. This view having been upheld by the Judge, the Warrant was cancelled, thus enabling the Awa to continue her voyage to Hong Kong without further delay.

It only remains for me to add that his Excellency The Governor personally regrets the occurrence, which would apparently not have taken place, had the privilege, which the Messageries Maritimes enjoy when carrying correspondence, been quoted in the Vice Admiralty Court at an earlier stage of the proceedings.

I have to

(Signed)

Cecil Clementi Smith

Acting Colonial Secretary

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