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The fees payable on the registration of deeds are regulated and defined by Ordinance. It was one of his duties to see that these, and these only, were paid in strict conformity with the ordinance, by persons coming to register their deeds.
It was another of his duties, and, in the case of Chinese, a very irksome one, to see that no personation or other fraud was practised by applicants for registration.
It was his general duty, as a public servant, to report to his official superior all cases of fraud, or misfeasance, coming, in any way, under his eye.
In the performance of those duties he made several reports, the whole of which were well-founded, and were so considered by Mr. Cleverly and himself.
There was a charge against one Chinaman of fraudulent attempt, by misdescription, or personation, to obtain the registration, in his own name, of land belonging to another.
There was a charge of extortion of moneys under colour of presents, or fees, payable to the Colonial Secretary himself.
There were charges of previous levies of moneys by the same person, and in the name of the same officer, from applicants for leases of lands and markets.
It was represented, that the prime criminal, in these cases, was a Chinaman, Comprador to the Colonial Secretary, and very much in his confidence.
It was further represented that the scoundrel, on being reproached with the crime, had boldly re asserted that he had Colonel Caine's own authority for what he did; and that the money was really levied, by him, for the Colonial Secretary.
