Mr March, considering the delays which had taken place in the case, and all that had taken place last year, Mr Brauch, considering the use of bhang, was fully gratified in writing it. They considered the complaint of the Chinese Government and other representations which had been made, and the fact that the Chinese Government had been induced to make the application by the communication of the Hong Kong Government, desired to avoid them as far as possible, all unnecessary delay and expense.
It had been stated that the cost of the case to the Viceroy was $10,000. The letter of the 23rd February 1887 was written accordingly, and I submit that there is nothing unconstitutional in that letter, and that considering all the circumstances, it suggests that magistrates could not require such proof as would warrant a conviction; they should restrict their enquiry accordingly, and that they should not grant postponements unless good cause was shown.
The Government never meant that the letter be taken to mean that they wished in any way to interfere with the discretion of the Magistrate. The next letter which the Magistrate considered an undue interference with his discretion is that from the Colonial Secretary forwarding to...