Secretary, Customs,
46
No.
9225 1901. COPY
21315
JUN OF
It is not stated actually whether the ammunition, though it was probably shipped, is placed under stop by the Colonial Office at Hong Kong. It, however, probably is so, and both the revolvers and the ammunition are, therefore, in the hands of the Crown. The documentary enclosures furnished by the Governor of Hong Kong throw a good deal more light on the facts than was known when I wrote my first reports. More especially is that the case with regard to the letter from the Webley Company to Messrs Jardine, Matheson and Company dated the 13th December last. One could scarcely read a more bare-faced confession of an attempt to dodge the Government than is contained within this letter which is unblushingly written to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and Company to act upon.
It is so much this that one almost wonders at this latter firm having sent it to the Government. Upon what is shown in this letter the weakness which I at first pointed out, viz., as to a defence on the ground of change of intention, is removed, and upon this letter I have no hesitation in saying that both the revolvers and the ammunition, now I conclude under stop at Hong Kong, may be confiscated to the Crown.
With regard to the question as to whether or not there should be a prosecution in personam, I think it would be possible to successfully proceed against the Webley Company for the shipment of the ammunition (the shipment of the revolvers would be out of date); but, for this purpose