Until I had signed the licence.
I told him before the licence the Acting Secretary, Colonial brought with the assistance of two other Officers would endeavour to ascertain whether the emigrant was really free from any Contract or Service whatever.
In future I must trouble the Emigration Officer to complete this examination himself before the licence is submitted for my signature. Draw his attention to the first paragraph of my minute on his letter of 31st December 1880 in which I expressed the opinion that the examination of Chinese emigrants at the Harbour Master's Office was not as satisfactory as it should be.
Two observations arise. In the first place, it was not in accordance with the practice which had existed from the time when the Emigration laws first came into force until 31 August 1880, when it was introduced, and it existed until the 22nd November 1880, when it proved to be so inconvenient that on the remonstrance of a private firm it had already been cancelled.
In the second place, the minute referred to in my letter of the 31st December 1880 had called attention to its existence.
I respectfully deny the accuracy of the imputation. Accordingly, on the 27th April I wrote the letter, copy enclosed, acknowledging the receipt of the Government Order No. 1155, whereby, after expressing my readiness to...