The History of Me Laws and Courts of Hong-kong. By
James William Norton-Kyshe. 2 vols. (T. Fisher Unwin. 10s.)—This work is, in fact, a history of the Colony of Hong-kong as regards its government, political and judicial. The island was ceded to the British Crown in 1841. The first Acting Administrator was Captain Elliot. In August Sir Henry Pottinger arrived. Hong-kong was declared a free Port in February, 1842. In the following year the Criminal and Admiralty Courts were removed thither from Canton. In June of that year the Charter was given establishing a local Legislature. About the same time, according to our way of importing things British wherever we go, Justices of the Peace were appointed, to act "in the dominion of the Emperor of China,', Hong-kong itself being very strangely omitted. Lieutenant Thomas Wade, a well-known name in later days, was appointed interpreter. The J.P.'s did not last long, their commissions being revoked in May, 1844. The first table of fees sanctioned was enormous. To recover £50 cost £16 13s. 4d. The Court held its first sitting on March 4th, 1841. It had a grand jury, petty juries, and the whole "bag of tricks," except a Judge, for Sir H. Pottinger was not a lawyer. In May, 1844, the first Chief Justice took his seat, the present holder being the seventh. There was some difficulty in finding a barrister to accept the post, the climate being greatly dreaded ; more, it would seem, than it deserved, for no Chief Justice has died at his post. We cannot follow the history of the Colony, which is told here at great length. The narrative is distinctly lively In parts, for tempers are as hot as the climate, and it abounds with curious trials of European and Chinese manners. It may seem over- long for these busy days, but then the book is intended for reading In Hong-kong, not here.
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