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THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 18TH APRIL. 1885.
(2.) To the Mercantile Firms, or other persons obtaining the opinion; who, if
harm should happen to them, would say that they were acting in accord with the authoritative opinion of the Government, and were entitled to be eit supported by the Government or compensated by it for loss incurred while within its advice."
L
reply
Having thus stated as briefly as possible what has already taken place respecting this im ant subject, and the broad principles applicable to cases of this nature, I will now the special questions put by my Honourable friend.
With regard to the 1st question, viz.: "Has the blockade of Pakhoi been leg notified?”, I am advised that the notifications made to the Government and published in Gazette of the 7th and 28th March (as stated above,) would be regarded as sufficient... affect all merchants in this Colony with notice of the existence of an actual blockade, .. with an obligation to observe it.”
With regard to the 2nd question, viz.: "Whether the blockade is effective?" I advised that this is a question, the reply to which must depend on facts of which the Colc Government has no precise knowledge.
With regard to the 3rd question, I must, of course, in the first instance, communic :: respecting it with Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking, who has already expressed i desire to co-operate with me as heartily as did Sir HARRY PARKES. Meanwhile, I w remark that, while there is no doubt but that the place where the legality of any seizur of ships must be tested is the Prize Court of the captors, still, at the same time, if und pretence of seizing vessels for breach of blockade, or for other similar offences, any Belligere Power were to pursue any system clearly in violation of the rights of neutrals, as recogni by international law, the Government of the neutral Power would interfere on behalf of i subjects. I shall not fail, whenever circumstances seem to require it, to invoke energetical that " ulterior diplomatic action" which has been referred to above.
In conclusion, I would observe that, after the persevering efforts which I have ma during the two years of my administration here, to procure the strengthening of the Defenc and to promote the general interests of this Colony, I need hardly assure this Council that i sympathize deeply with the grave inconveniences to which our Mercantile community ha been subjected for some time past in consequence of the protracted Franco-Chinese complic tions. The general depression of trade has, moreover, led to a serious depression in ti. public revenue. But I have entire confidence in the elasticity of our resources, and in t energy and enterprise of this community; and I hope that the return of peace restore the former prosperity and progress of Hongkong.
will sou
THE BILL ENTITLED THE BILLS OF EXCHANGE Ordinance, 1885, IN COMMITTEE.-Reported.- NOTICE OF THIRD READING. On the motion of the Attorney General, the Council resumed consider ation, in Committee, of the Bill entitled The Bills of Exchange Ordinance, 1885.
The Bill was reported with amendments.
The Attorney General gave notice that, at the next Meeting of Council, he would move that t'. Bill be read a third time.
THE BILL ENTITLED AN ORDINANCE FOR THE INCORPORATION OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VICA" APOSTOLIC OF HONGKONG.-COMMITTED.-On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by t Colonial Secretary, the Bill entitled an Ordinance for the Incorporation of the Roman Catholic Vis Apostolic of Hongkong, was Committed.
A BILL ENTITLED THE POST OFFICE Ordinance, 1884, AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1885.-Ft READING.-On the motion of the Attorney General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, a Bill entit The Post Office Ordinance, 1884, Amendment Ordinance, 1885, was read a first time.
ADJOURNMENT OF THE OTHER ORDER OF THE DAY.-The Attorney General moved the postpo ment of the other Order of the Day.
Question-put and passed.
The Council adjourned until Wednesday, the 15th instant, at 4 P.M.
Read and confirmed, this 15th day of April, 1885.
ARATHOON SETH,
Clerk of Councils.
G. F. BOWEN, Governor.
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