CO885-(11-13) — Page 21

9191.

MY LORD,

No. 727.

(CEYLON.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

WE are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Mr. Holland's

Temple, Soptember 14, 1871. letter of the 7th instant stating-

1st. That he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us a copy of a petition to the Queen from Mr. G. W. Paterson, judge of the district court of Kalutara in Ceylon, praying that an order of the Supreme Court of that island by which he was fined a sum of 301. for a contempt of court might be rescinded, and that the fine might be remitted. 2nd. That annexed was a copy of the Despatch from the Governor of the 18th July and of the enclosures thereto.

3rd. That Mr. Holland was to request that we would take the case into considera- tion, and report to your Lordship whether the circumstances stated in the petition were of such a nature that your Lordship could properly recommend a reference of it to the Judicial Committee.

In obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have taken the case into our con- sideration, and have the honour to

Report

That, without intending to express an opinion one way or the other upon the legal questions raised by Mr. Paterson's appeal, we think this a case which your Lordship may properly send to the Judicial Committee. remarks of Sir Hercules Robinson as to the conduct of the Supreme Court, but the We are disposed to concur in the question of the power of that court thus to permit (punish?) remarks upon their own judgments even if disrespectful when made by a judge of an inferior court is one which we think should be determined by the Supreme Court of Appeal upon solemn argument.

We have, &c.

The

Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley,

&c.

&c.

&c.

(Signed)

R. P. COLLIER.

J. D. COLERIDGE.

0 16278.-569, 25.-5/86.

ای خدا دیدی

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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