Enclosure 1.
COPY.
C.O.
316
21468 RECO
Ex
REG 14 AUG 19
Minute by the Acting Attorney General on the Solicitor's Ordinance No.9 of 1889.
I have considered the points raised by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in his Despatch No.92 of the 30th May 1899, and I beg leave to report as follows:-
First. With reference to section 17 of 33 and 34 Victoria chapter 28, I have to state that, in view of the fact that most of the litigants in this Colony are Chinese who have very extravagant ideas upon the subject of interest, it is considered undesirable to raise any question of interest as being likely to lead to trouble and disputes in cases where none such have previously arisen. In fact, I may state that I have been informed by the Taxing Officer, who has had some experience in these matters, that no question of interest has ever been raised hitherto so far as he was aware.
Secondly. With reference to section 18 of 33 and 34 Victoria Chapter 28, I have to observe that it was not considered necessary to introduce that section into this Colony because it has always been the practice of the Taxing Officers of this Colony to have regard to the skill, labour, and responsibility involved.
I will, however, if the Secretary of State desires it, deal with the introduction of section 18 into this Colony in an amending Bill, of which I enclose a draft, and in the same amending Bill, I will deal with the possible ambiguity which might arise in connection with construing Ordinance 9 of 1899 together.