in
from this being the case, the article in question imposes on the Captains of the Companies' packets, submission to the Sanitary, Police, and Customs regulations of "our" ports concerning the arrival and departure of travellers. The Chinese Passengers Act is a sanitary regulation concerning the departure of travellers, within
the
meaning of the above words. I do
not think myself that this
matter is one
of any great
difficulty : but as the Agent of the Messageries Maritimes steamers here,
seems to attach much importance to it, and it involves a question of some Imperial interest, it
Page 577
might be as well to refer the
matter to the authorities at home,
(Signed) Thos C. Wray
Acting Attorney General
May 2nd 1872.
True Copy)
(Signed) F. Smith
Acting Colonial Secretary
RE.