CO885-(11-13) — Page 53

5700.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

TLC.O. 885

11 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-

COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

MY LORD,

No. 756.

(Hong KoNG.)

LAW OFFICERS to FOREIGN OFFICE.

Temple, May 29, 1872. We are honoured with your Lordship's commands, signified in Mr. Hammond's letter of the 24th instant, stating that, with reference to his letter of the 23rd instant, he was directed by your Lordship to transmit to us a letter from the Colonial Office, enclosing a Despatch from the Attorney General of Hong Kong on the subject of the administration of the estates of aliens dying in the Colony. The Despatch also con- tained suggestions with regard to the custody in transitu of foreigners accused or convicted of crime who had been deported from China or other places.

That the Colonial Office had obtained from the Chief Justice of Hong Kong a report on the Despatch (enclosed), and that he (Mr. Hammond) was to request us to take the papers into consideration and report to him our opinion on the two points raised by Mr. Pauncefote.

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

Report

1. That in reference to the administration of the estates of aliens dying in the Colony, we are of opinion that it is very desirable to have some one person in the Colony whose official duty it is to at once take possession and care of the estates of aliens there dying, and hold it till the Consul or other person entitled to the grant apply for administration.

We can see no reason why the Consul should object to give the bond required, and particularly as the Supreme Court has the power to waive the bond, if desirable, as stated by the Chief Justice of Hong Kong.

In this first matter, therefore, we think no alteration need be made.

2. In regard to the custody in transitu of foreigners accused or convicted of crime and deported to the Colony, we are of opinion that some arrangement with foreign Governments might with advantage be come to under which on application of the Consul at Hong Kong the prisoners, subjects of the Government, might be detained in transitu at the expense of the Government of which they are subjects.

The Earl Granville, K.G.

&c.

&c.

We have, &c. (Signed) J. D. COLERIDGE.

G. JESSEL. J. P. DEANE.

p16978-571.

25.-5/86.

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