CO129-272 - Governor Sir Robinson - 1896 [5-9] — Page 364

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

I think, judging from the absence of any necessary appliances, that they had no intention of doing anything more than was found.

It is an ordinary book, 6" x 2¾", in which were three small rough sketches, quite useless from a military point of view, of the Lyemun promontory and of the hill behind, unmistakably taken from the waters. Their actions were probably not with the intention of entering, and, to my mind, it was a straining of the law to punish them at all - in fact, the newspaper account of the trial leads one to suspect a confusion between the two separate offences of "entering" and "sketching".

2. As regards increasing the severity of this law, it seems to me necessary to do so in the case of the Brennan Torpedo, when the phraseology might be altered to "any part of a battery, or of a fortification, or of a Brennan Torpedo, and of the appliances and mechanism in connection therewith".

#

3. If any alteration is to be made in the wording of this law, I would ask Your Excellency whether it is not anomalous that the permission should be obtained from the Governor instead of from the General Officer Commanding.

Page 359

4. I am strongly of the opinion that in prosecuting under this law, or under the "Forts Protection Ordinance, No. 10 of 1891", a Military Officer should always be present to give an opinion as to the degree of the offence, as it may lie between a trifling irregularity and a grave and dangerous act.

5. As regards Act No. 10 of 1891, the question is whether the phraseology might be altered to "any Battery, fortification, or the premises of any torpedo installation". In the last case, I think that the possible sentence should be raised to 3 years' imprisonment.

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I think, judging from the absence of any necessary appliances, that they had no intention of doing anything more than was found. It is an ordinary book, 6" x 2¾", in which were three small rough sketches, quite useless from a military point of view, of the Lyemun promontory and of the hill behind, unmistakably taken from the waters. Their actions were probably not with the intention of entering, and, to my mind, it was a straining of the law to punish them at all - in fact, the newspaper account of the trial leads one to suspect a confusion between the two separate offences of "entering" and "sketching". 2. As regards increasing the severity of this law, it seems to me necessary to do so in the case of the Brennan Torpedo, when the phraseology might be altered to "any part of a battery, or of a fortification, or of a Brennan Torpedo, and of the appliances and mechanism in connection therewith". # 3. If any alteration is to be made in the wording of this law, I would ask Your Excellency whether it is not anomalous that the permission should be obtained from the Governor instead of from the General Officer Commanding. Page 359 4. I am strongly of the opinion that in prosecuting under this law, or under the "Forts Protection Ordinance, No. 10 of 1891", a Military Officer should always be present to give an opinion as to the degree of the offence, as it may lie between a trifling irregularity and a grave and dangerous act. 5. As regards Act No. 10 of 1891, the question is whether the phraseology might be altered to "any Battery, fortification, or the premises of any torpedo installation". In the last case, I think that the possible sentence should be raised to 3 years' imprisonment.
Baseline (Original)
think, judging from the absence of any necessary appliances, that they had intention of doing any than was. found. itti 20: ordinary book 6" x 23⁄4/4" in which were three of : small rough sketches, quite useless from Military point of view, of the Lyomum promontory and of the hill behind, unmistakably taken from the wakes, their probably from entering, and, to a my ship while mind, it was straining of the law to punish them at all-in fact the newspaper account of the trial leads one to ensfect fusion between the two separate offences of "entering " and " sketching 2. a a cm = fort. As regards increasing the severity of this law, it seems to me need: ful to do so in the case of the Brenau Forpedo, when the phraseology might be altered to any part of a battery, of a fortification For of a Brenan Forpedo and of the appliances and mechanisme in # conechon. "connection therewith. 3. If any alteration is to be made in the wording of this law I would ask Your Excellency whether it is not an audinally audinally sin this law that the permission should be obtained from the Governor instead of from the General Officer Conne Commanding 4. 359 I am strongly of opinion that in prosecuting under this law or under the "Forts Protection Ordinance. No 10 of 1891 that a Military Officer should always be present to give an ope nion as to the degree of the defence us it may lie between a trifling irregularity and a grave and dangerous act. 5. As regards A = 10 of 1891 the -question is whether the phraseology might be altered to " any Battery, fortification " or the premises of any torpedo sintalla. "Fion" _ in the last case I think that the possible sentence should be raised to 3 years imprisonment. The
2026-05-27 21:20:13 · Baseline
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think, judging from the absence of any necessary appliances, that they had

intention of doing

any than was.

found.

itti

20:

ordinary

book 6" x 23⁄4/4" in which were three

of

:

small rough sketches, quite useless from Military point of view, of the Lyomum promontory and of the hill behind, unmistakably taken from the wakes,

their

probably from entering, and, to

a

my

ship while

mind, it was

straining of the law to punish them

at all-in fact the newspaper account of the trial leads one to ensfect fusion between the two separate offences

of "entering " and " sketching

2.

a

a cm =

fort.

As regards increasing the severity of this law, it seems to me need: ful to do so in the case of the Brenau Forpedo, when the phraseology might be altered to any part of a battery, of a fortification For of a Brenan Forpedo and of the appliances and mechanisme in

#

conechon.

"connection therewith.

3.

If any alteration is to be made in the wording of this law I would ask Your Excellency whether it is not an audinally

audinally sin this law that the permission should be obtained from the Governor instead of from the General Officer Conne

Commanding

4.

359

I am strongly of opinion

that in prosecuting under this law or

under the "Forts Protection Ordinance. No 10 of 1891 that a Military Officer should always be present to give an ope nion as to the degree of the defence us it may

lie between a trifling irregularity and a grave and dangerous act.

5.

As regards A = 10 of 1891 the -question is whether the phraseology might be altered to " any Battery, fortification " or the premises of any torpedo sintalla.

"Fion" _

in the last case I think that the

possible sentence should be raised to 3

years imprisonment.

The

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