Gextirsex,—At a Meeting of Consuls held on the 12th inst., the questions were raised:—Ist.—Whether the system of punishment at the Mixed Court is satisfactory and 2ad.—Whether the powers of the Court are adequate?
It was decided to ask your opinions upon these questions, the Consuls believing that, from your connection with the Court, you are well able to deal with them.
The Consuls in asking your views would point out that it is desirable for you to consult in this connection informally with the Magistrate of the Court, and that pains should be taken to reach conclusions which may be of practical value, They would also point out that the Court upon its criminal side is to be considered as essentially 4 Chinese Court, and that any improvements in it may best take a course in consonance with the Chinese judicial system. Upon the civil side, the Consuls would ask you to keep in view ti ruling recently made in the British Supreme Court, in regard to the trial of mixed cases. It is not to be understood however that the Consular Body is committed to this ruling.
(Signed) Gronce F. Sewanp, Consul-General and Senior Consul,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.