CO129-334 - Governor Nathan - 1906 [5-7] — Page 142

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

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week: and when there are lengthy public examinations this not in-

-frequently lasts the whole day.

Chamber summonses cannot be kept under

unless two mornings are devoted to them. I am often obliged to

curtail one morning, with the result that the sitting in Chambers

on the following day lasts from 10.30 to 1. During the hearing of

a long case in Court, the hearing of summonses has often to be

fitted in at odd times to the great inconvenience of all concern-

-ed.

Criminal Sessions are held monthly. It is

of course impossible to predict till within a few days of the

Sessions how long it will last. But my experience is that i have

found it not very practicable to fix any cases for hearing during the week of the sessions, as with Chambers and Bankruptcy it will

probably be full.

8.

Looking at the matter from the point of

view of litigants 1 an of opinion that cases are not brought on so rapidly as they should be when they are ready for trial. i an often unable to fix a day for hearing six week or 2 months ahead, and one heavy case almost invariably produces a deadlock when everything is thrown into confusion. Such a deadlock is nearly always imminent, and has occurred at least 3 times since i have been in the Colony and i have been at my wits ends to know how

to contrive to get through business.

7.

To illustrate my meaning 1 may give the

state of business today - 19th. March - when a deadlock of a

serious nature is threatened.

One case, just finished after 5 days argu-

-ment, waiting for Judgment.

Üne part heard case; 3 days occupied already

and probably requiring 2 days more,

before

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