CO885-(10-11) — Page 313

7280.

No. 259.

(Hong Kong.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

MY LORD,

Lincoln's Inn, July 26, 1864. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 18th inst., stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us a letter from the Colonial Office enclosing a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong, forwarding for the Queen's confirmation an Ordinance which has been passed by the Legislature of that Colony, to render admissible in certain cases the depositions of witnesses who cannot be produced at the trial, and to make provision for the reception in evidence of the statements of the accused.

And to request that we would take this Ordinance into our consideration, and favour your Lordship with our observations thereupon.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have taken these papers into our consideration, and have the honour to

Report

That we think Her Majesty's confirmation should be given to this Ordinance. It appears possible, indeed, that subsequent alterations in the mode of trying criminal cases in Japan and China may render the Ordinance hereafter unnecessary, but it is proper to provide against the possibility during the intermediate period of an entire failure of justice in this class of criminal cases.

We have, &c.

The Earl Russell,

&c. &c.

(Signed)

ROUNDELL PALMER.

R. P. COLLIER.

[ROBERT PHILLIMORE.

o 16978.-78.

25.-2/86.

PUBLIC

RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

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C.O. 885 10 LONDON

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