CO129-281 - Governor Sir Robinson & Acting Governor Major Gen Black - 1898 [1-3] — Page 391

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COPY.

entitled

ENCLOSURE 2.

384

Attorney General's Office.

25th. February, 1898.

REPORT ON ORDINANCE NO.3 OF 1898.

I have examined the accompanying Ordinance,

"An Ordinance for the more effectual Punish-

ment of Bribery and certain other Misdemeanors,"

and I am of opinion that the Ordinance is one which is not

contrary to the Governor's Instructions.

The misdemeanor of bribery is treated very severely in the Straits Settlements, where a maximum punishment of three years imprisonment with or without hard labour, as well as a fine, may be inflicted not only on public servants, who accept bribes, but also on those who offer them.

The pro- visions of the Penal Code in force in that Colouy as regards offences of this description are, however, somewhat com- plicated.

In Hongkong, no power of inflicting hard labour on offenders convicted of accepting or offering bribes exists, and this state of things should not be allowed to continue. It is thought that the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of this Ordinance will meet the requirements of the caso.

See over