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Hong Kong
1st March 1876.
Attorney General (Hon: J. Bramston)
Colonial Secretary (Hon: J. G. Austin, Chucz)
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Contagious Diseases Ordinance. Forwards draft Ordinance framed upon the instructions of the Secretary of State.
Statement of Objects and Reasons.
This Ordinance, which follows similar legislation in the Straits Settlements, has been introduced at the suggestion of the Secretary of State. Its object, as will be readily seen from its provisions, is to vest in the Police Magistrates only, certain powers of fine and imprisonment which are now exercised by the Registrar General under Ordinance No. 8 of 1858, and under "The Contagious Diseases Ordinance, 1867."
It is not intended to reflect in any way upon the manner in which the Registrar General has exercised these judicial functions, or to suggest that they have been otherwise than most satisfactorily discharged; simply, it is considered better that all matters involving penal consequences should be disposed of by the ordinary tribunals of the Colony.
Hong Kong, 25th February, 1876.
JOHN BRAMSTON, Attorney General.
Enclosure No. 1 in Governor Kennedy's Despatch No. 64 of 29th March 1876.
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