CO129-287 - Public Offices & Others - 1898 — Page 309

OPY.

300

C. O.

18366

FOREIGN OFFICE.

- 18 00.3

June 27th, 1898.

Sir:-

I am directed by the Marquess of Balisbury to

transmit to you herewith, for the consideration of the

Board of Trade and for any observations which they may

desire to offer a copy of a letter from the Colonial

Office, and of its enclosure, in which the question

is raised whether it primarily rests with the Consul

of the United States in Hongkong, or with the stipen-

diary magistrate, to determine whether a Seaman in

certain cases is a deserter; and also whether, in the

circumstances it is expedient to amend Section 20(1)

of the Hong Kong Ordinance No.20 of 1891, with a view

of bringing its provisions into harmony with the Trea-

ty between this Country and the United States, of the

3rd of June 1892.

Copies of the Ordinance and of the Treaty in

To the secretary

to the Board of Trade.

question