CO129-294 - Governor Sir Blake - 1899 [10-12] — Page 281

:

Enclosure

COPY.

-.0

31475 FECO Pro 110 09

Report by the Acting Police Magistrate,

278

Honourable Colonial Secretary.

t

+

There have been four cases of Chinese Ex-

tradition since Ordinance 23 of 1897 was assented to by

the Governor on 17th. November, 1897.

2. The only important alteration in the

existing law was effected by Section 3 (1) and (2) of the new Ordinance which provides that certified copies of de- positions taken before a British Consular Officer in China under certain conditions may be received in evidence

by the Magistrate.

3. Up to the present time however there has been apparently no difficulty in procuring the personal attendance of all the witnesses available for in no case

have such depositions been tendered in evidence.

4. This is I presume due to the fact that

in every case the crime alleged has been committed in that part of the Kwang Tung Province which is adjacent to Hong- Kong and has ready communication with the Colony.,

5. In such cases the non attendance of wit-

nesses would in the absence of explanation have appeared somewhat suspicious.

6. I attach a Return giving full particulars

of such cases as have occured since 8th. July 1897, four

in all.

7. I regret that this Report has not been

submitted