丛
437
the Hongkong laws relating to the Deportation, Branding and Punishment of certain Criminals,
my predecessor forwarded with it the Report on the Ordinance by Mr. Russell, one of the Police Magistrates,
Acting Attorney General. In that report the Acting Attorney General said:
"It may be thought that this is strong legislation, but the circumstances of the Colony necessitate it, and there is no danger of abuse under it: However, in Your Lordship's despatch No. 51 of the 18th of May, 1877 some doubt is expressed as to the propriety of all the provisions in the very exceptional legislation contained in the Ordinance", and Your Lordship points out that some details of the Ordinance will require further consideration.
Your Lordship instructs me that the special powers entrusted to the Governor by this legislation should be used with caution and only in the case when unavoidable, of offenders whose action is likely to imperil the security of the Colony.
Was it that Your Lordship was justified in viewing this legislation with some suspicion?