CO885-(2-3) — Page 546

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Eastern Colonies.

CEYLON,

No. 17.

Governor the Right Hon. W. H. Gregory to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received December 1.)

My Lord,

Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, October 30, 1873. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Circular despatch dated the 29th July last, forwarding a draft of a Bill to amend the Copyright Act of 1842, and requesting me to furnish you with any suggestions which I may desire to offer upon the Bill.

I have the honour to inform your Lordship that we have no Copyright Act in Ceylon, and the necessity for one is now beginning to be felt. The Draft Act is amply sufficient to meet the reasonable requirements of this Colony.

I beg to submit the suggestion of the Queen's Advocate for consideration, whether

the period of twenty days for the publication in the United Kingdom of a book first published in a British possession is not too short. Three months would be a reasonable

time.

I have, &c.

(Signed) W. H. GREGORY,

SINGAPORE.

No. 18.

Governor Sir H. St. George Ord, R.E., C.B., to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received December 1.)

My Lord,

Government House, Singapore, October 23, 1873.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Circular despatch

of the 29th July, 1873, forwarding for any suggestions I may desire to offer a draft Bill

to amend the Copyright Act of 1842.

2. Having referred your Lordship's despatch and inclosures to the Attorney-General, this Officer informs me that there is no necessity for any action in the matter here; any measure that may be found suitable to other Colonies similarly situated as this, will be equally adapted to the Straits Settlements.

I have, &c.

(Signed)

H. ST. GEORGE ORD.

HONG KONG,

No. 19.

Governor Sir A. Kennedy, C.B., K.C.M.G., to the Earl of Kimberley.—(Received

My Lord,

December 31.)

Government House, Hong Kong, November 8, 1873.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Circular despatch

of the 29th July covering the draft of a Bill to amend the Copyright Act of 1842, and calling for any suggestions which 1 have to offer upon it.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O.8

Reference -

885

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE

BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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The subject of this proposed enactment has little, if any, immediate interest for this Colony, but its provisions are suitable so far as they will affect Hong-Kong.

I have, &c.

A. E. KENNEDY,

(Signed)

LABUAN.

No. 20.