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Q.-Therefore it is clear that the Pó Léung Kuk exercises judicial powers and police functions?
A. That is not a judicial power-an arrest-it is a police function.
Q.--Are you aware that a petition was sent in 1878 to the Government from FUNG MING SHAN and others asking permission to form an anti-kidnapping asso-
ciation ?
A.—I have heard of it in connection with the history of the Pó Léung Kuk. Q.-You have not read it?
A.—I think I have read it. I was aware that they were incorporated under a petition which went home to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. I am aware of the matter generally.
Q.-A Committee was appointed to enquire into that and a statute was drafted by Mr. FRANCIS. Have you read it?
A.-No.
Q.-You are not aware that one of the rules of this Statute stipulates that the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk were to report to the Captain Superintendent of Police daily what they were doing in the matter of the detection of crime?
A.-I was not aware of that. This is the first I have heard of it.
Q. Are you of opinion that that would be a good thing for the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk to do?
A-I think it would be the proper thing.
Q. It is not done now?
A. No, it is not.
The CHAIRMAN.-Have you found that the Police Department and the Registrar General's Department in the matter of detecting crime--kidnapping-work harmon- iously?
A. Perfectly harmoniously.
All k
Q. Do you think that the co-operation of the two departments tends to suppress kidnapping more than it would otherwise?
A. Decidedly.
Honourable C. P. CHATER.-You told us a short time ago that you thought that the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk would do good service if they gave the information to the Police, and got the Police to arrest the kidnappers?
A. Yes.
Q.-But you followed it up by saying that you did not think it was a right course to pursue to keep men under arrest for several days?
A.-Quite so.
Q.-The proposed rules have altered it?
A. It is not lawful I think.
Q. Do you mean that the Pó Leung Kuk detectives should give the information to the Police, and the Police arrest the supposed kidnappers, and bring them before a Magistrate, before any enquiry is made by the Pó Léung Kuk Society?
A. I mean to say this, that if the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk do arrest-as I understand they are authorised to arrest-they should take care that within 24 hours, or 48 hours if a Sunday intervenes, the persons should be brought before a Magistrate through the Police. They should not be detained without being brought before a Magistrate. They should be put upon the charge sheet and brought before him, and the case investigated openly.