23326.
No. 197A.
(HONG KONG.)
SIR,
LAW OFFICERS TO COLONIAL OFFICE.
Royal Courts of Justice,
17th October, 1898. WE were honoured with your commands, signified to us in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter of the 11th instant stating that he was directed by you to transmit to us a copy of a draft proclamation which had been prepared for the purpose of annexing to the colony of Hong Kong certain territories leased to Her Majesty by the Emperor
of China.
That it would be seen from the Convention of the 9th June, 1897 (a copy of which was enclosed in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter), that the limits of British territory in the regions in question, adjacent to the colony of Hong Kong, were described as being enlarged under lease to Her Majesty for the term of 99 years.
That the Draft Order in Council had been framed on the model of a similar Order dated February 4th, 1861 (a copy of which was transmitted to us), which had been previously approved by the Law Officers on January 21st of that year. (A copy of their Report of that date was enclosed in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter.)
That it would be seen from the Order in Council of February 4th, 1861, that the territories then annexed to the colony of Hong Kong, though originally leased to Mr. Harry Parkes, had subsequently, prior to the date of the Order in Council, been ceded by the Emperor of China to Her Majesty to hold as a dependency of the colony of Hong Kong. That, in the present case, the territory proposed to be annexed is only held by Her Majesty on lease for 99 years.
That it was not proposed in the present Order in Council to define the boundaries of the lunds leased. That this was a matter which, as would appear from the terms of the Convention, must be dealt with subsequently.
That Mr. Bertrain Cox was to request us to take these papers into our consideration and to advise you
1. Whether the terms of the Draft Order in Council were sufficient and proper for
the purpose proposed.
2. If not, what amendments should be made therein.
We have taken the papers into our consideration, and, in obedience to your commands, have the honour to
Report-
That the Draft Orter in Cónucil, as amended and initialled by us, is sufficient and proper for the purpose proposed.
The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, M.P.,
&c.,
de...
&c.
We have, &c.,
RICHARD E. WEBSTER. ROBERT B. FINLAY.
mmmmm.C.O.885
14 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
|SMETIKISHTE PHOTOGRAPH-NUT JU
Whereas, by a Convention dated the 9th day of June, 1898, between Her Majesty and His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of China, it is provided that the limits of British territory in the regions adjacent to the colony of Hong Kong shall be enlarged under lease to Her Majesty in the manner described in the said Convention.
And whereas it is expedient to make provision for the government of the territories acquired by Her Majesty under the said Convention during the continuance of the said lease.
It is hereby ordered by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice of Her Majesty's Privy Council, as follows :-
I. The territories within the limits and for the term described in the said Convention shall be, and the same are hereby declared to be part and parcel of Her Majesty's colony
1575-25—1,99 Wc 21618 D&S
• No. 5% in Vol. I.
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