CO885-(10-11) — Page 870

No. 687.

(NEW SOUTH WALES.)

MY LORD,

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Temple, February 17, 1871. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 11th instant, stating that he was directed to transmit to us a letter from the Colonial Office enclosing, with other papers, a letter from the Attorney General of New South Wales suggesting the extension to the Fiji Islands of the provisions of the proposed law for the extradition of criminals, and he was to request that we would furnish your Lordship with our opinion on this suggestion.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands we have the honour to

Report

As

That we think the evil pointed out by the Attorney General of New South Wales So long as no government is cannot properly be remedied in the proposed manner. recognised at Fiji the mutual surrender of criminals by independent and civilized communities is a principle to which the Fiji Islands must remain foreign. repeatedly before, so here again, the importance of specific Imperial legislation on the subject of our relations to places like the Fiji Islands seems to be established by the facts brought to the Law Officers' notice in connexion with them. But such legis- lation should not be by way of extension of the Extradition Act, 1870, the scope of which is wholly different. In any such legislation means might with propriety be taken to carry out the suggestion of Sir William Manning mentioned in s. 3 of the letter of the Attorney General of New South Wales.

We have, &c.

The Earl Granville, K.G.

&c.

&c.

(Signed)

R. P. COLLIER. J. D. COLERIDGE. TRAVERS TWISS.

o 16978-499. 25.-5/86.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

mmmmm.C.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TOPage 871

2222.

No. 688.

(CANADA.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Temple, February 24, 1871. MY LORD,

We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Viscount Enfield's letter of the 20th instant, stating that he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us the accompanying correspondence, regarding the circumstances attendant upon the death of Elizear Goulet, a citizen of the United States, and that he was to request that we would take the papers into consideration at our earliest convenience, and favour your Lordship with our opinion as to the steps which should be taken in the matter.

In obedience to your Lordship's commande we have taken the papers into considera- tion and have the honour to

Report

That in the present state of the province of Manitoba it would probably be difficult to secure the punishment of all the persons who may have been in various degrees But as it appears from Mr. guilty of criminal conduct in connexion with this case. McConville's report, that the magistrates were, and probably continue, ready to issue a warrant against, at least, one person who took a prominent part in pursuing Goulet, we should advise proceedings to be taken against that person at all events. It will probably turn out that there is no evidence forthcoming which would justify a con- viction of any offence known to the law, but the Government will, at least, have done all in its power to vindicate the administration of justice. We may observe that judging from these papers, the observations of Mr. Fish, upon which Šir E. Thoruton comments, appear to be entirely unwarranted and uncalled for, particularly if it be true that Goulet was one of the persons mainly engaged in bringing about the state of things from which he suffered, and of which Mr. Fish complains. But it is for your Lordship to judge how far this is a matter to be noticed in any communication you may see fit to address to Sir E. Thornton.

The Earl Granville, K.G.

&c. &c.

&c.

We have, &c. (Signed)

R. P. COLLIER.

J. D. COLERIDGE. TRAVERS TWISS.

o 16270.-605.

25.-5/66.