CO129-090 - Public Offices & Others - 1862 — Page 231

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clearly the subject of the machinations of Dr. Bridges and Mr. Day, applied to Mr. Green for his opinion on Mr. May's response. This entirely exculpated Mr. May except on one point which he had craved pardon

for already.

It will be seen that when Mr. Day went to the Governor with Mr. Caldwell to solicit Mah-chow Wong's pardon, he maligned the Jury, when he gave the gratuitous opinion on the Report of the Caldwell Com- mittee, he maligned that body, and when he gave his official opinion on Mr. May's response, lic maligned that gentleman. In each and every case this is done so cunningly by the abuse of official secrecy, that the parties maligned are made aware of the circumstance for the first time in the Blue Book, Mr. Day persis- tently exculpates Mr. Caldwell-a circumstance on which his animus and bias may be tested.

SIR,

(Signed)

Y. J. MURROW.

Sir John Bowring's remonstrance against the taxed costs in the case of the Queen Farrunt.

飲

Conlonial Secretary's Office, Victoria, Hongkong, 21st January, 1859.

I have laid before his Excellency the Governor your letter recommending the payment of costs in the case of Regina v. Tarrant, amounting to 750 dollars and 25 cents, and his Excellency has accordingly anthorised the payment of that sum, but will not fail to call the attention of the Secretary of State to the failure of justice, and to the exorbitant charges allowed by the taxing officer.

This case came under the criminal jurisdiction of the court, and it seems to his Excellency a very grave matter that the Crown should be called on in a criminal prosecution to defray the expenses which the prisoner may incur in his defence.

(Signed)

The Honourable the Acting Attorney General,

I have, &c.

W. T. MERCER, Colonial Secretary.

Precis of affixed letter

The contor states that he has ban the victim of illegal.

as a

229

al and oppressive acts of

be late administration of the Colony of Harystory. That he was thereby draws from is occupation

Merchant, and wivloed. in permanent and hopeless enteruptcy, ming] to the non existence of bankruptcy laws. That he was compelled follow the profession of the press for a linlihood _ that he succeeded, has worked

his creditors six years

and has to worth these years longer. That he has a large

the Canton Govern

- ment for losses enstamed the Arron outbreak, but althe all other claimants are satisfied, his mitted from the list. He asserts that the Attorney General of Hony May tectify to all this, and he appends Copy of a letter from the Canton Consul i partial corroboration.

t

"In

pearliarly strong claimi

lick

on

Farme

be avers that when the Gecurton Council of the Colony sat to enquire into Civil service abuses, he was the only person who reeponded to the invitation wike Gonnor to come and make charges. He laid tunity four charges_

forward

f the end of tou mouths firm had been,

ccused.

be refere

refers to his

gone

into which proved fatal to the

grievances, not to obtaini

not to obtain redress, but to account for his

conceins that the syction of Goommment brod the abuses,

tives in uniting. He conceins that the

contends that the same syetem still continues

This system

he avers

to be that the local Government hold themselves

witle only to the Secretary of state. that they Nup their despatches secret

es

zz

than

over

tale, and even

should Official reports be made littely to open

of the Secretary of State, they are suppreosed -

ssed and

He

appends a long list of & garbled documents whereby the last local administration deceived

4. M. Commment;

tirely

are are

are excluded

It is averred that the now Offical members of the Legislative - under the chumb of the Fornor and that the Press fon required, simply by 'Neeping the day of muting scoret. On one

f there insons it is stated that the Councel passed an illegal vote for furniture.

4 the Garner.

I be argues

that the present Colonial Secretary. Mr Morar