CO129-400 - Governor Sir May - 1913 [3-4] — Page 76

pupe

No

C.O.

11846

Rece

(REG: 10 APR 13

GOVERNMENT HOUSE..

HONGKONG. 13th. March, 1913.

75

Sir,

40.7799

Enclosure l

I have the honour to confirm my telegram of

6th. March which read as follows:-

Referring to my wire of 3rd. February owing to in- -sufficient evidence conviction improbable charge should be withdrawn forwarding particulars by mail.

2.

I enclose a copy of a letter addressed to the Colonial Secretary by liessrs. Hastings and Hastings, and extracts from another letter addressed by the same firm of Solicitors to the Captain Superintendent of Police. On the statement of the case set forth in the latter letter the Crown Solicitor was of opinion that there was not sufficient probability of a conviction being obtain- -ed to justify any further proceedings under the Fugitive Offenders Act, 1881, being taken, and I accordingly telegraphed to you on 6th. March as stated in the preceding paragraph.

3.

It will be noticed that since the application

for Woodward's arrest was made the situation has changed consider-

-ably, for an important witness has left the Colony and one material

piece of information has turned out to have been incorrect.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

क

26-2

Governor,&c..

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

LEWIS HARCOURT, M.P.,

&c..

&0..

&C...