Sessional_Paper_1905 — Page 676

*598

A 18. [C.O.D. 7689/04,] ·

M. J. D. STEPHENS, Esq.

COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 12th January, 1905.

SIR,With reference to your letter of the 6th instant, on the subject of the claims made by Mr. Howard and yourself on account of losses sustained in con- nection with the reclamation in front of M. L. 184, I am now directed to inquire' whether you wish to appear before the Governor by Counsel or in person or at all in support of the claim.

I have, etc.,

(Sd.)

F. H. MAY,

Colonial Secretary.

18, BANK BUILDINGS,

HONGKONG, 18th January, 1905.

A 19.

The Honourable

F. H. MAY, C.M.G.,

Colonial Secretary, Hongkong.

SIR,-I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, with reference to the claim of Mr. Howard and myself, and in reply to say unless His Excellency desires the Claimants to appear by Counsel it is not their intention to do so, but to appear in person by Mr. Stephens.

I have the honour also to enclose you a statement of the Law costs and other charges, $9,763.50, as included in the claim I sent you on the 6th instant.

I have, &c.,

▲ 20.

(Sd.)

MATTHEW J. D. STEPHENS.

CROWN SOLICITOR'S OFFICE,

HONGKONG, 8th June, 1905.

M. J. D. STEPHENS, Esq.

Re Howard and Stephens' Godowns.

DEAR SIR,--Confirining my interview with you this morning, I beg to inform you that the following is the course of procedure which it is proposed to adopt on the hearing of your claim before His Excellency the Governor, sitting with the Chief Justice as Legal Assessor.

1. Your Counsel will open the case and read all the documents upon which you intend to rely, including all the valuations. Your Counsel will then tender

Valuers for cross-examination on behalf of the Crown.

your

2. Counsel for the Crown will then open the case for the Crown, and will similarly read all the documents upon which the Crown relies, and will tender the Valuers on behalf of the Crown for cross-examination by your Counsel. Counsel for the Crown will then sum up, and your Counsel will have the right of reply.

I do not think that it is necessary for the valuations and reports to be on oath.