Colony in relation to this subject. Sections 2 and 5 of Ordinance 21 of 1886 and sections 4 and 5 of Ordinance 23 of 1890, and it seemed advisable that the English law upon this important subject should be introduced in Hong Kong, in order that an accused person might have the benefit of the following safeguards provided by the Sale Act viz:
(1) The delivery to the seller or his agent of the sample of an article purchased for analysis, (section 13);
(2) The provision that the defendant or his wife be called as a witness, (section 19); and
(3) The provisions that the prosecution shall take proceedings within a reasonable time, that the accused shall be furnished with full particulars of the offence charged and with the name of the prosecutor, and that the summons against the defendant shall not be returnable in less than seven days from the date of service (section 28).
I annex to this report an authentic copy of the Ordinance showing in what particulars it differs from the Home Acts and the reason for such difference.
There are, however, one or two other points which I ought to mention.
The Ordinance, as originally drafted by me, contained clauses corresponding with sections 3 and 4 of the Sale Act of 1879, but those clauses were struck out of the Bill in Committee as unnecessary. Because all the milk in this Colony is delivered in pint or half-pint bottles which are sealed up before leaving the Dairy.
It was not necessary to re-enact here section 6 of the Sale Act of 1879, because the adulteration of liquor is dealt with by section 2 of Ordinance 21 of 1886.
10 Henry E. Pollock, Acting Attorney General.
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