Page
$2
THE HONGKONG GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 1ST MARCH, 1873.
"4.-Her Majesty's Government, which has been under the necessity of making repeated remonstrances to the Portuguese Government on the subject of the Macao Coolic Trade, cau- not permit that there should be even the shadow of a justification for any such imputation as that British subjects in Hongkong partake in and profit by a traffic which the Queen's Government deplores and protests against. And I see no reason why British subjects resident in Hongkong should not, as well as those in Australasia, be subjected to the punishment prescribed in Section 9 of the Kidnapping Act, 1872,' for the offences specified in that Section, if committed within the territorial jurisdiction of the Colony.
5.--I request you to give your particular attention to the 'Kidnapping Act, 1872,' and to consider whether some of its provisions might not with the necessary alterations be made applicable to Hongkong. If you are of opinion that they might be, I request you to transmit to me, as soon as possible, the Draft of an Ordinance for that purpose.
"As Chief-Justice SMALE has given much attention to this question, I request you to give him a copy of this Despatch and of the Act enclosed in it, and to intimate to him that I shall be glad to receive from him, through you, any observations or suggestions which he may wish to offer, either in conjunction or after consultation with the Attorney-General and yourself, or separately.
"You will also lay this Despatch before the Legislative Council.--I have, &c.,”
"KIMBERLEY."
"Governor
"Sir A. E. KENNEDY, K.C.M.G., C.B."
(Signed,)
In compliance with the Earl of KIMBERLEY'S instructions, I have conferred with the Chief- Justice and with the Attorney General, and have carefully considered, in conjunction with these officers, the kind of legislation which is best calculated to carry out effectively the wishes of Her Majesty's Government. I am also at the present tine in coininunication with the Secretary of State on the subject, and I hope to be able very shortly to submit to the Council the Draft of an Ordinance, intended to prohibit and prevent, to the fullest extent that the powers of this Legislature will allow, all residents of this Colony, of whatever nationality they may be, from taking any part in what's commonly known as the 'Macao Coolie Trade,' and from participating, directly or indirectly, in its profits, either by chartering or equipping and furnishing vessels for the purpose of Macao Emigration, or in any other manner. I have every reason to believe that, in introducing such a measure, I shall have the hearty support and co-operation of every Member of the Council, as well as the approval of the Community of the Colony. I do not now invite any expression of opinion on what is proposed, but when the Draft Ordinance is laid on the Table, the subject can be fully discussed.
The Sheriff's Bill, with the amendments adopted by the Council at its last Meeting, is laid on the Table, and His Excellency puts the Question:-That this Bill, as amended, do pass, and that the Title be—An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Llongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to make better Provision for the Appointment and Remuneration of the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriffs of the Colony, and to afford them Relief and Protection in the Execution of their Duties. Question put and carried,-the Ordinance being numbered "No. 1 of 1873."
The Minimum Punishments Bill is read a second time, committed, and passed, bearing the Title of—An Ordinance enacted by the Governor of Hongkong, with the Advice of the Legislative Council thereof, to abolish Minimum Punishments on Summary Convictions before Magistrates,--being “No. 2 of
1873."
His Excellency adjourns the Council at 5 minutes before 3 o'clock.
Read and confirmed, this 24th Day of February, 1873.
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.
A. E. KENNEDY, Governor.
GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION.
The following List of Jurors for the Year commencing on the 1st March, 1873, as revised and amended by His Excellency the Governor and the Legislative Council, is published for general
information.
By Command,
Council Chamber, Hongkong, 24th February, 1873.
L. D'ALMADA E CASTRO,
Clerk of Councils.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.