7501.
!
No. 763.
(NEW SOUTH WALES.)
LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.
MY LORD,
We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Viscount Enfield's
Temple, July 1, 1872. letter of the 25th ultimo, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us a Despatch from Her Majesty's Consul in Fiji, enclosing a letter addressed to him by half-castes residing there making inquiries as to the protection which could be granted to them on account of their British origin, in connexion with the establishment of a de facto Government, and that he (Viscount Enfield) was to request us to take this subject into consideration and favour your Lordship with our opinion as to what in- structions should be addressed to Consul March on the matter.
In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have taken the subject into considera- tion, and have the honour to
Report
That the half-castes described by Mr. Consul March appear to be illegitimate children of Fiji women, and to have been born in Fiji territory, consequently their nationality is not British, and they are not entitled to British protection.
The Right Hon. the Earl Granville, K.G.
&c.
&o.
&c.
We have, &c. (Signed)
J. D. COLERIDGE. G. JESSEL.
J. PARKER DEANE.
o 14978.-996.
25.-5/86.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
mmimmimC.O. 885
11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TOPage 61
6891.
No. 764.
(Home KoNG.)
FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
SIR,
Lord Granville referred to the Law Officers the Draft Ordinance for enabling
Foreign Office, July 4, 1872. the Governor of Hong Kong to deal with foreign prisoners "in transitu," which accompanied your letter of the 26th ultimo, and I am now directed by his Lordship to state to you, for the information of Lord Kimberley, that he is advised that the Ordinance is one in which he may perfectly concur, but that provision should be made in it for the absence of the Governor from the Colony, which might be done by an interpretation clause defining “Governor" to include the officer for the time being administering the government of Hong Kong.
The Under Secretary of State,
Colonial Office.
I
am,
(Signed)
&c.
E. HAMMOND.
• 16278.—990.
25.-5/86.