( 57 )
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Nor charges brought against the detectives ? A. That is another thing. I cannot remember any charge brought against any of the detectives, but in one or two cases I have been rather suspicious.
The CHAIRMAN. Have you been more suspicious of the Pó Léung Kuk detectives than the Chinese detectives ?
A.--No.
Q.-Or Police detectives?
A.-No.
Q-You think they are pretty much of a muchness?
A. I should say so; the only difference is that the one is a regularly constituted body, under oath, and under the superintendence of officers, and the other is not. My whole objections go upon constitutional grounds.
Honourable Ho KAI-Your objections are not based upon any new reports you have heard or any charges that you have against them of corruption?
A. No, such reports would not come in my way and I should not hear of them. Q.-No charges have ever been brought before you?
A.-No.
Q.-Formally or informally?
A.-I cannot recollect any.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-There is one question I should like to ask Mr. WODEHOUSE. You have no doubt read the new Ordinance* that is proposed?
A. I did so at the time it came out.
Q. Do you think that that Ordinance might be allowed to pass?
-
A.-The general effect of it is, I understand, to give powers to the Pó Léung Kuk which they do not now possess and invest them with judicial functions more or less. To any extent to which it gives them Police or judicial functions I should be opposed
to it.
Q.-On the grant of money?
A. For what purpose
?
Q.-For the maintenance of a Home for unfortunate women?
A.-I consider that such a Home, if properly conducted and under proper super- vision, is a very good thing.
Honourable Ho KAI.-Deserving of the support of the Government, of a grant? Honourable C. P. CHATER.-The Ordinance says that the Chinese have sub- scribed $30,000, and they ask the Government to contribute a certain sum also.
A. I do not think it is quite within my province to express an opinion, consider- ing that the matter has been approved by the Government and that the measure is brought forward by the Government.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-You mean that it passed the Executive Council?
A.--I thought that approval had been expressed of it by the head of the Govern- ment in Legislative Council.
The CHAIRMAN.-You know of course that the Society can register itself under the Companies Ordinance?
A. Yes.
* See Appendix 28.