to him a report of mine dated the 19th April 1887.
This report was written in consequence of a letter from Messrs & Mossop dated 15 April, which was referred to me. My report was submitted to the Officer Administering the Government, who directed that it should be forwarded to the Magistrate.
It must be remembered that in the complaints of last year respecting delays here, the Chinese Government entirely ignored the fact of their being represented before the magistrate by a Solicitor chosen by them, but endeavoured to place all the blame for the delays on the Government office, and will doubtless do so again as a matter of policy.
It was not in any way going beyond my duty in pointing out to the Government what I considered was a mistake on the part of Mr Wodehouse, and an irregularity which I am of opinion the Government could take notice of. The mere fact that the Chinese Government was represented and had not objected did not relieve the Government from seeing that the proceedings were duly conducted and that no unnecessary delay took place. My report is set out in full.