COPY.
Enclosure 7.
he Secretary.
Sir,
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 27th. January, 1906.
159
i am directed to request you to inform
the hongkong General Chamber of Commerce that a proposal has been made to the Governor that legislation should be introduced
to provide for holding in the future bi-monthly instead of monthly criminal sessions of the Supreme Court.
2.
his Excellency is not greatly in favour of
such a measure which in so far as it delays the vindication of public justice appears retrograde. It may be however that the general convenience of the public would be so largely served by the proposed alteration as to justify the disadvantages attend-
-ing it.
3.
An argument that has been advanced against
the system now in force is the inconvenience and loss necessari- -ly entailed upon those who, being compelled to serve on the jury, find themselves taxen each month from their business to
attend a criminal session. Whether a business man would suffer
more or less inconvenience and loss by attending a few days once a month or twice as many (once in two months) is a question ·
with regard to which your Chamber may be able to furnish an
opinion and His Excellency would be glad if they would do so
as well as make any other observations they desire on the pro-
-posed change.
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
I have etc.,
(Sd.) T. Sercombe Smith,
Colonial Secretary.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.