CO129-193 - Governor Hennessy - 1881 [5-7] — Page 395

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

391

against the Government

as the papers are at present, with the Ovingtries

I should advise against taking legal proceedings in response to their last rejoinder, hard as it may be

if a difference has excited feeling between the Government and a fellow subject, although a defence of vis major might be successfully pleaded. But I understood the Surveyor General to assert that the drain under Mr Coughtrie's land was not a Government drain at all, and that the large drain was of very small cubic capacity and could not affect the question.

The Survey Department and Mr Coughtrie are at issue on this fact. How is that issue to be determined, and if it were adverse to the Survey Department, would this Government be justified in awarding damages for establishing a precedent which might be dangerous and troublesome?

That is a point, however, on which the Governor is best able to judge.

(Signed) James Russell

Acting Attorney General

21st March, 1879.

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391 against the Government as the papers are at present, with the Ovingtries I should advise against taking legal proceedings in response to their last rejoinder, hard as it may be if a difference has excited feeling between the Government and a fellow subject, although a defence of vis major might be successfully pleaded. But I understood the Surveyor General to assert that the drain under Mr Coughtrie's land was not a Government drain at all, and that the large drain was of very small cubic capacity and could not affect the question. The Survey Department and Mr Coughtrie are at issue on this fact. How is that issue to be determined, and if it were adverse to the Survey Department, would this Government be justified in awarding damages for establishing a precedent which might be dangerous and troublesome? That is a point, however, on which the Governor is best able to judge. (Signed) James Russell Acting Attorney General 21st March, 1879.
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391 against the Government ets the papers are at present, with the Ovingtries I should advise last rejoinder, hard to take legal proccedringe) if difference excited beteent the diffe hwand a fellows subject although as defence of vis major might sneccesfully pleaded. But I understood the Surveyor General to alert that the drain under be Mr Coughtrie's have was not - Government drain at all and that the large drain " tras of very small cubic capacity and could not affect the questions. The Serrvey Department עייל MA Corightrie are at crud no to the fact. How is that rive to be determined, and/ if it were advered to the Every Department would this Evernment be inssified is an ardiing damages ext establishing Mr to tre forightrie, and ex night prove a precedent which might dangere both d. กา and trouble come. point bon ever on which That is a point livr the Eovernor is best able to ndge. (Signed) darmes dussell. Athing Attorney General 21st March, 1879. if
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391

against the Government

ets the papers are at present, with the Ovingtries

I should advise

last rejoinder, hard to take legal proccedringe)

if

difference

excited beteent

the diffe hwand a fellows subject although

as defence of vis major might

sneccesfully pleaded. But I understood the Surveyor General to alert that the drain under

be

Mr Coughtrie's have was not -

Government drain at all and

that the large drain

"

tras

of

very small cubic capacity and

could not affect the questions.

The Serrvey Department

עייל

MA Corightrie

are at crud

no to the fact. How is that

rive to be determined, and/

if it were advered to the Every Department would this Evernment be inssified is an ardiing damages

ext

establishing

Mr to tre forightrie, and ex

night prove

a precedent which might

dangere

both d.

กา

and trouble come.

point bon ever on which

That is a point livr

the Eovernor is best able to ndge.

(Signed) darmes dussell.

Athing Attorney General

21st March, 1879.

if

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