CO129-380 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [9-10] — Page 167

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On the following day Mr.Hazeland informed Mr.Harston that the Chief Justice had referred him to a previous decision of the Chief Justice upon the subject and that in consequence Mr.Hazeland could not recognise the "locus standi" of Mr.Har- ston as the representative of the Chinese Government.

In consequence of Mr.Hazeland's attitude we, on the 16th June last, addressed the Colonial Secretary, Hongkong, in the terms of the letter under that date of which a copy is sent herewith.

To the last mentioned letter we received a reply from the Colonial Secretary of Hongkong under date the 28th June last and herewith send you a copy of such reply.

Subsequent to the reply in question Mr.Harston had an interview with the Assistant Colonial Secretary (Mr.Clementi) whereat Mr.Harston intimated that (in the event of the Hongkong

Government consenting thereto) he thought the Chief Justice

would be prepared to intimate that he saw no objection to the

appointment of Mr.Harston by the Hongkong Government as

Assistant Crown Solicitor for the purpose of representing the

Hongkong Government and conducting at the Police Court in

Hongkong all Extradition Cases applied for by the Chinese

Government and it was arranged that Mr.Harston should interview

the Chief Justice upon the subject.

A m

Mr.Harston accordingly did so with the result that the

Chief Justice stated that he would have no objection to the

appointment of Mr.Harston by the Hongkong Government as above mentioned, but that he considered such appointment should be limited to the Police Court and should not apply to the

Supreme Court.

On the 29th June last Mr.Harston wrote to Mr.Clementi as Assistant Colonial Secretary informing him of what had transpired at Mr.Harston's interview with the Chief Justice above referred to; a copy of that letter is sent herewith.

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