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ments, and which it is understood are shortly to be the subject of a conference between Governor Sir GEORGE BOWEN, and H. M.'s Minister to China. They venture, however, to make two suggestions, which, if accepted and carried into practice, would mitigate some of the evils disclosed by the evidence attached to this Report, viz.:—
That the Chinese Government should be called upon to verify the status of the so-called Revenue Cruisers which, carrying an imperial flag, anchor in this Harbour and claim to be regarded as vessels of war, or to be commissioned by the Chinese Government, designations to which it has been shown many of them are not entitled; and that the Government of Hongkong should take into consideration the terms on which vessels engaged in the preventive service of China should be allowed to make use of the waters of the Colony.
That the gathering together of unauthorised armed Bands in British territory, for any purpose whatever, should be prohibited, and that the provisions of law now in force with reference to those persons who do not hold night passes should be made applicable to the entire area of the Colony, if indeed they are not applicable already. The Magistrates have recently decided that the law applies only to Victoria. (See Captain DEANE's evidence, Appendix, pages 15-16 and 99-100).
The Commissioners regret, that for the more effective prevention of bloodshed along the Chinese Coast the provisions of Ordinance No. 2 of 1868, rendered perpetual by 2. of 1870, regarding the unnecessary armament of junks, cannot with justice be enforced against traders visiting the Harbour. The Chinese Government having refused to co-operate in promoting a general disarmament of native vessels it would be manifestly unfair to leave Chinese Craft in these waters without the means of self protection against piratical attacks and faction fights, which are common throughout the sea-board of the Empire.
Hongkong, 1st September, 1883.
GEORGE PHILLIPPO,
JAMES RUSSELL.
P. RYRIE.
Chairman.
F. BULKELEY JOHNSON.