*consider the alarming increase of crimes in the Colony, to ascertain the cause and to inaugurate some reform for the future". A further Public Meeting was held on September 27th 1971 on the same subject, and a memodal signed by 400 residents was later presented. The Commission was not appolated, but considerable reform was undertaken in the areas about which complaint had been directed.
In December 1882 Sir George Bowen was under pressure from the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce to find a seat for a representative of the Chamber, and thereafter only one seat was held by a J.P. representative: Perhaps I could digress at this point to draw your attention to the fact that the name "Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce' is a euphemism for "British Chamber" since it is restricted by Clause 4 of its Memorandum which reads
"The funds and business of the Chamber shall be
managed and carried on by the General Committee, the members of which shall all be British and members of British Firms,"
The other Chambers of Commerce i.e the Kowloon Chamber, the India Chamber and the- Chinese Chamber (which dates back to January 17th 1896) are unrepresented.
Turning again to the 3.P seat, I note that following the reduction to a single seat, the next election was a three-cornered contest won by Mr. F. D. Sassoon.
On December 8th 1866, Mr. Paul Chater defcated Mr J J. Francis, QC on the retirement of Mr. Sassoon,
J.