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been kept of such cases, and where the law was difficult of application, no prosecutions would be undertaken. It is not easy therefore to refer to a few cases, however specific, that may be enumerated.
8. In 1865 I find H. M. Consul at Taiwan (Formosa) where there was not, nor is there now, any Post Office, complaining that the Masters of British Vessels detained letters which were made up into mail for him, wilfully delayed the delivery of letters marked "On Service"; and refused to carry Government documents.
9. The Honourable J. Pauncefote delivered the opinion which is appended. But this throws no light upon the mode of proceeding against the offender.
10. On another occasion, before telegraphic facilities had been extended to China, the Master of a British steamer, loading tea at Foochow for Australia, refused to take letters except for the charterers, avowedly to prevent information reaching the Australian market.
The S.S. Glaucus, one of Holt's steamers, which travel quite as fast as the mail, overcarried a mail consisting of some eighty letters to Singapore, instead of landing it at Hongkong.