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C.3.
From the Chief Justice to Governor
RECEIVED
Arc£ 3 JUN 07 Chambers,
Supreme Court House, Hongkong,
13th. March, 1907.
Sir,
In reply to Your Excellency's confidential letter of 12th. March, I have the honour to express my extreme regret that Your Excellency should have changed the opinion with regard to the advisability of consulting the Committees of the Law Society and Chamber of Commerce, which was conveyed to me in Your Excellency's confidential letter of 28th. February.
It is in my opinion of the utmost importance, in view of the large commercial interests affected by the question I have raised, that the views of these two influential bodies should be known to the Secretary of State.
I have no doubt that when they are known, and their importance realised, an effort will be made to improve the present highly unsatisfactory state of things on the lines which I have suggested.
2.
I have taken the advantage of Sir Havilland de Sausmarez's presence in the Colony to discuss the question very fully with him, with these results:-
1st. - that it appears that much that is contained in the correspondence forwarded for my perusal in Your Excellency's confidential letter of 26th. February, is based on a misconception.
2ndly. - that it is not probable that any difficulties will be experienced in the adoption of certain rules which will be a great improvement on the present antiquated practice and want of system.
His Excellency
Sir Matthew Nathan, K.C.M.G.,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
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