No. 41
6th April 1871
My Lord,
I have had the honor to receive Your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 31st December, last, respecting the question of enabling the Courts of one Colony to try offences committedwithinManuscript image within the jurisdiction of another, and transmitting a copy of a Draft Bill founded on one prepared by the Chief Justice of Western Australia to effect that object.
2. Such a measure would have scarcely any effect as regards this Colony. It is so far removed fromanyManuscript image any other British Possessions that the expense of obtaining evidence would in most cases be far greater than that of sending the accused person for trial to the place where the offence was committed, under the provisions of the 6 & 7 Victoria, C. 34. And as nearly all persons coming to,orManuscript image or going from British Columbia pass through the United States, no evidence as to the disposition of stolen goods is likely to be obtained here, or in any British Possession to which an accused person might proceed from hence. I readily, however, perceive the value of the proposed measure as regards agroupManuscript image group of British Possessions like the Australian Colonies.
I have the honor to be,
My Lord,
Your most obedient
Humble Servant
A. Musgrave
Minutes by CO staff
Manuscript image
CC 10 May
Mr Holland
The Bill for Enabling the Courts of one Colony to try offences committed within the Jurisdiction of another wd have scarcely any effect in B.C.
Keep with others.
WR 15/5
At once.
HTH 15/5