DESPATCH,
Shanghai and Yokohama similar to that made in postage between Singapore and Penang by arrangement by P.&O. Packet; namely
1/2 d. a reduction to 2d. per letter
Your Lordship will perhaps be good enough to cause a communication to be made to the Postmaster General in London on the subject, and the question of a similar reduction of rates for French Packet might possibly be raised at the same time.
I have the honour to be, My Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient humble servant,
Administrator.
Hong Kong
No. SC25
Date 26th Jan. 1874
(Subject.)
RECEIVED 14 MAY 1877
362 Offences committed by Brit: Soldier in China beyond British Jurisdiction
at previous Paper &c.
Conson 5 June-77
Reporting and many: Report by the Atty. Gen. on the subject & requesting instructions on the points raised
(Minutes.)
Mr Bramstore
Some Men of the Regiment committal offences at Kowloon across the boundary, & having been sent for trial at the Supreme Court. The R.G. doubted the Jurisdiction of the Court Extended to the case, and abandoned Proceedings having first arranged with the Military Authorities to Try them under the Mutiny Act. The A.G. asks whether Law is right in his decision.
2 - whether provision is desirable for such cases for the future.
The offences beyond the colonial limits, & beyond the Jurisdiction of The Supreme Court; & I think the A.G. is correct in the view he takes of the law.
The men being British subjects might have been brought before the Consul for trial, but there would have been no means of compelling the attendance of witnesses.
It would be desirable to meet similar cases in future.
I suggest sending this to F.O. in London that Lord Carnarvon is disposed to favour the suggestion.
Page 362
176-H&S 2454