CO129-498-11 Assistance for Mrs. Longinotto- widow of a former Assistant Crown Solicitor in Hong Kong 3-3-1926 - 11-10-1926 — Page 25

local Court of Law accordingly appointed a Mr.Larry C.Hanson,

to be guardian

an Englishman, who resided in the district

provisionally of the Longinotto children (now aged 15 and 12

respectively). This was done with the consent of the mother,

although she apparently has no desire to have a co-guardian.

Subsequently, however, it appears that two or three other

persons (austrians) were successively appointed as curators

or guardians in place of Mr.lianson, who for some reason or

other was relieved of his function. I have enquired of the

Austrian Government why these changes of guardianship were

made.

3. Last year Mra Tonginotto applied to the

Consulate and to the Legation fr assistance to enable her to

be regarded as the sole guardian of her children. Her lawyer

was thereupon given a statement by the British Consul that

according to British law she was the natural and sole

guardian. The Legation also informed the Ministry of Justice

to this effect and asked that steps should be taken to declare

and secure Mrs. Longinotto's sole guardianship. This, however,

produced no result, and the Austrian Government have returned

to the charge on several occasions asking repeatedly what

measures the "competent British authorities" intend to take

in the matter, and whether they wished to take over the

guardianship. The Kinister for Foreign Affairs was informed

that the Legation had no power to appoint guardians and was

not aware of the reason for which a co-guardian was con-

sidered necessary -

4. In the meantime legal proceedings continued

between Mrs Longinotto and certain persons who were disputi

her!