Sie,—The Captain Superintendent of Police has reported that he received ov th instant fo- execution in the trant for the arrest of one Tsze Ching, a large owner of property in the Settl-ment; this warrant was signed by the Magistrate and endorsed by yourself.
certain information in regrind to. this ease us been brought to the Council's notice an: it wou'd appear that the defendant, accused on no criminal charge, is
of extortion, Without, however, going the Victim of conspieney for purposes into the merits of the ers itself the Council would submit that, in te absence of any criminal charge against him, Yan< Tse Ching should have been proceeded against by summons in the first instance rather than by a warrant for arrest, and have the honour on behuf of the Council to ask whether any special reason exists which rendered the issue of a warrant necessary in this case, which is admittedly a civil one.
The Council would further point out that upon the adequate protection of residents and their property in the Settlement rests one of the most essential conditions necessary to the continued welfare of this community asa whole, The existing political situation has produced a certain ofoment of disturbance and unrest which affects all classes of society; it therefore app-ars to the Council particularly desi blo that. at the present moment every care should be exercised aa: ding the legitimate crests of native residents generally and that, the local machinery of government should under no circumstances placed at the disposal of the native authorities without a clear understanding the ends which they may he seeking attain, Especially dues it seem necossary that in purely civil ewes the greatest possible mensuro of legitimate protection Sionld bs accorded, and that such oases should invariably he heard at the Mixed Court in the first instance if a comunitment to the City Magistrate is desired.
Tu the present instance, and in view of the doubtful circumstances of the case, execution of the warrant for the arrest of Yany Tsz2 Ching is delayed ponding a further communication from yourself in the matter.
Thave, ete, ete., Gigned) Joseru Wexcn, Chairman.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.