Government House, Hongkong, 4th June, 1886.
At the request of the Captain Superintendent of Police I have the honour to transmit a Memorial from that Officer, praying that you will give directions.
The O.A.G. protests against being compelled to assume a jurisdiction which he thinks (and is, in my opinion, right) that the law has not given him - and he appeals to the Legislature. The Captain Superintendent also complains that the order has been in the form of a Police Regulation issued by himself, though important, but he is technically right - Police Regulations are made by the Capt. Supt. with the approval of the Governor under Section 13 of the Ordinance - and an order by the Governor for the guidance of the Captain Superintendent is not.
This is a separate matter and I think, with mine, that it is the duty of the head of the Police to obey instructions even if he doubts their legality, but that he is entitled to appeal to the Governor.
I agree that Sir W. Bushe's instruction, quoted in para. 4 of this despatch, appears to be free from the objection to which the other instruction is open.
My Lord,
In subsequent instruction (No. 190) it has been made clear that...
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May 15, May 18, Aug. 21.
REG 15 JUL 86, 12561
With 6 sub-enclosures A to F
To the Right Honourable Earl Granville, K.G.
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