CO129-097 - Acting Governor Mercer - 1864 [1-2] & Sir Robinson - 1864 [1-3] — Page 50

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of applying to Hongkong the Criminal

2.

I also enclose the opinion of Mr. Attorney General Smale.

5.

With regard to the question of corporal punishment, Mr. Isuac Imai quotes your Despatch No.82 of 27 June 1862 objecting to corporal punishment except in certain cases, but I understand your Grace's objection to be to the delegation of this power to the Police Magistrates, whereas the Ball Law as amended from time to time at Honduras, I defer to the experience of the Acting Chief Justice,

and though the Attorney General objects to much Law making without paramount necessity in a small Colony like Hongkong, I would observe that crime is frequent in Hongkong, and that it desires that it be given as in England to the higher Court.

4.

I strongly recommend the proposal, and trust your Grace will approve a short Ordinance to give effect to it. Mr. Ball can testify to the benefit of the measure in Honduras and Mr. Smale's objection falls to the ground in a Colony with 6 times the population of Honduras.