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528
was able to examine seven-
Chinese. I sent the evidence this
oblained(?) to the Government, and on the following day
I was
instructed to acquaint Messrs Schellhass46 that in consequence
of the Chinese Emigrants being under verbal contracts of service I could
not grant them a Certificate
to(?) enable the Abboleford(?) to go to ... (copy attached).
On the 21st instant I was directed to continue the examination of Chinese; and on the 22nd when I had examined ten more
intending Emigrants I was
instructed to act in accordance
with an opinion of that date
given by the Honourable the Attorney
General, which is to the following
effect:- "If any one or more of
the intended passengers
are under Contract
of service the Emigration
Officer may, in his discretion,
withhold his certificate; and I
think the evidence discloses sufficient proof of the ten being
under contract to justify him in
withholding his certificate."
In consequence of these instructions I sent a second letter, a
copy of which
is enclosed, to Messrs Edward
Schellhass, repeating that I
could