Sessional_Paper_1889 — Page 269

267

The former of these letters stated at some length the objections entertained by the Committee to what they considered the disproportion between the remuneration paid, and the somewhat onerous nature of the services required of Special Jurors; the latter requested that if His Excellency the Governor had arrived at any decision with reference to these Fees that the result of his deliberations might be communicated to the Chamber.

As these letters are still unanswered weightier matters have no doubt occupied the attention of His Excellency, but the question having stood over so long, I now venture to take the liberty of suggesting that it be taken into consideration, and that His Excellency at an early date may be pleased to favour this Chamber with a definite reply.

I have the honor to be,

The Honorable F. STEWART, LL.D.,

Colonial Secretary.

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

P. RYRIE, Chairman.

Colonial Secretary, to the Chairman, Hongkong General Chamber

No. 986.

SIR,

of Commerce.

COLONIAL SECRetary's Office, HONGKONG, 26th June, 1889.

With reference to your letter of the 1st March last, and to subsequent cor- respondence on the subject of remuneration to Special Jurors, I am directed by the Governor to inform you that, having at your suggestion made enquiries from the Governments of India, Ceylon, and the Straits Settlements, His Excellency finds that, in India and the Straits Settlements, no fees at all are paid to Jurors, and that in Ceylon such fees are of much smaller amount than those complained of here.

While the Governor is fully sensible that even the fees which are fixed by law here, do not in some cases compensate for the time expended on the duty performed, His Excellency regrets that after much consideration he does not see his way to proposing their increase.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

FREDERICK STEWART, Colonial Secretary.

The Honourable P. RYRIE,

Chairman, Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.

SIR,

Secretary, Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, to the

Colonial Secretary.

HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,

HONGKONG, 9th August, 1889.

Fees to Special Jurors.

The Committee direct me to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 26th June, in which they regret to learn that, after a considerable lapse of time since they first referred the matter to His Excellency, the Government do not see their

: