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R

27290.

SIR,

No. 159.

(NEWFOUNDLAND.)

LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.

[Petition of Right of Messrs. Harvey, Outerbridge and Harvey.]

-Royal Courts of Justice,

July 4, 1902. WE were honoured with your commands signified to us by Mr. Bertram Cox in his letter of the 18th of June last, stating that he had been directed by you to forward to us a despatch from the Governor of Newfoundland covering a Petition of Right addressed to His Majesty the King by the Honourable A. W. Harvey and others in the matter of the termination of their sub-lease of a portion of St. John's Dry Dock.

That an earlier despatch from the Governor on the same subject was also forwarded. That he was also to enclose copies of certain reports from time to time received by your Department from the Law Officers of the Crown on the subject of Petitions of Right.

That you would be glad to receive our advice as to the action to be taken in respect of the Petition of Right of Messrs. Harvey, Outerbridge and Harvey.

We have taken the matter into our consideration, and, in obedience to your commands, have the honour to-

Report-

That, in our opinion, His Majesty should be advised in this case not to fiat the Petition of Right. Under the Newfoundland Railway Act, 1898, if the decision of the Supreme Court is correct, no provision has been made for compensating the Petitioners for the dispossession of their interests as sub-lessees on carrying into effect the sale authorised by the Act. The Petitioners, under these circumstances in effect, ask by their petition to have the Act of the Legislature varied, This is a matter for the Legislature.

R. B. FINLAY,

EDWARD CARSON.

We have, &c.,

The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P'.,

&c., &c.,

&c.

1218-25-7,1902 Wt 2747

D&S

2

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

PLLC.O. 885

15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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