8.
Commissioner at Wei-hai-wei on the other. At the despatch with its enclosures forwarded herewith.
It appears from these that the revolvers had not been ordered for the first Miness Regiment and the Sorcourt had refused a permit for this exportation pending instructions from the S. of S.
On the 3rd of May the Government of Hong Kong was instructed by telegram to detain the 20 Cases of cartridges as well as the revolvers. A copy of this telegram is enclosed.
On the 1st of June the matter was referred by this department to the Board of Customs under cover of a letter dated 2nd, and on the 20th of June the Secretary to the Board transmitted a Report by the Solicitor of that Department advising that both the revolvers and the ammunition might be confiscated to the Crown. Copies of the C.O. Telegram to C.O. 18626, Sec. B! of Customs to C.O. 21315, Report by Solicitor 21315 accompany this letter.
C.O. to Customs 21315, Sec. B! of Customs to C.O. 23056, Report by Solicitor 23056
9. Mr. Chamberlain King had some doubt in the absence of proof that any offence had yet been committed in Hong Kong in connection with those revolvers and ammunition so as to render them liable to be forfeited to the Crown under the Hong Kong Ordinance 35 of '96, and had some doubt as to whether action was practicable beyond refusing a permit for export. A further letter was addressed to the Board of Customs asking for further report on this matter.
10. On the 4th of July, the Secretary to the Board of Customs forwarded a further Report by the Solicitor dealing with the question of confiscation. Copies of this letter and