CO129-357 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1909 [7-9] — Page 368

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sir,

Fondosure 1.

HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

Hongkong,

7th August,

1909.

30876

1!

RECR MEG? 16 SEP 09

361

I have now the honour to reply to your letter No. 3070/1909, dated 23rd July, 1909, snclosing sopy of a letter to

His Excellency the Governor from His Honour the Chief Justice

on the subject of the proposed new Ordinance providing for Trial

by Jury. I am directed to state that the British Members of

the Committee of this Chamber have again considered the matter

in the light of what His Honour the Chief Justice has written,

but see no reason to alter the views that have already expressed.

2. I am further directed to state, for the information

they

of His Excellency the Governor, that the principal reason that

has led the British Members of my Committee unanimously to

support the proposed Bill is that from all quarters they have

received indications leading them to the conclusion that the

Publia of this Colony consider it of vital importance to their

interests that a Jury should be obtainable if applied for by

either party to a suit.

**

In conclusion, I have been requested to add that

the British Members of my Committee desire unanimously to express

the hope that His Excellency the Governor may find it possible

to give effective support to the public wishes, and secure

for the business men of this Colony a much needed reform in the

Code of Civil Procedure.

I have etc,

(sd) E.A.M.Williams.

Hon. Mr. A.M.Thomson,

Colonial Secretary.

Secretary «