383
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whether it be that no Chinaman shall rent The Eyrie, or that this Chinaman shall not rent it, or whether some members of the Executive Council thought one thing and some another the idea which underlay the refusal of the exemption was the desire to increase the seclusion of the Governor's residence, and so do by a side wind what the Government had desired to do from the first, but had not sufficient funds to accomplish, the more legitimate way of purchasing the property.
23. I believe the matter Could have been settled by an micable reference of the question of law, without troubling the Secretary of State, and without the introduction of the
from history of the Ordinance. I have never concealed, myself the possibility that even a Chief Justice might be disposed, however unwillingly and unwittingly, to be prejudiced in his view by being an interested party; and for that reason I have suggested
a reference which I should have been willing to submit my
opinion. Having heard the argumentdor the Attorney General
I confess that I do not feel sheken in the opinion I have formed on the question.
But His Excellency has refused to entertain any such suggestion and therefore I am reluctantly obliged to lay the whole matter in all its different aspects before the Secretary of State.
27.6.00