Our readers will be glad to learn that the Club Compradore's case has been at length sat factorily settled, Sir Brooke Robertson has received, in answer to very strong remonstronees on his part, an assurance from the Viceroy that he has given orders to stop all proceedings against the unfortunate indivinals who have so long suffered malicious attempts of Lee Lum Kw: So far, a0 good. We can only express a hope that some efforts will be made to make their persenntors in turn pay for the misery they ave occasioned. " Both the Colonial Govern ment and the Consul have exerted themselves in the case, and the success of their efforts even after #0 long n lapse of time, is matter for congratulation.
It must. not, however, be forgotten that under the Chinese system fresh perils menace the unfortunate compradore. The chances are that before long he will be discovered to have boon a pirate or murderer or coiner, and that his rendition will thereupon be demanded. We do, not suppose be runs much danger being given up, but a danger exists. A case of piracy occurred many years ago, in which some five out of twelve pirates were hanged in this Colony, and the remainder got lite Petitions were frequently sent in from Chinese, saying that some of those kept in custody were innocent; and at last on enquiry it was found that all the witness the case tried at Hongkong had been beheaded one by one as caught! It was too old an affair to promise much hope of satisfaction, or Sir Richard MacDonnell, the then Governor, would have done mor the matter. But it illustrates the way in which Chin influence" (heaven save the mark!) is Drought. to bear on unpopular witnesses. The Olub compradore has escaped personally, and his friends are for the present released. But unless the Lee Lum Kwai gang are effectually muzzled, we must confess that his future chances of freedom from annoyance em problematical,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.