( 120 ) ·
Q.--You mean vague, because it does not define the ways and means? A.-Yes.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.--The powers under the Ordinance will be very large? A.-I don't think so--no powers at all.
Q.-This new Ordinance would confer a legal status to the Pó Léung Kuk?
A.--I don't think that either.
Q.-You don't think that under certain circumstances this new Ordinance might be establishing a secret form of Government in the Colony which might do much mischief?
A.-No.
Q.-How many members were in the Society when you were Deputy Chairman?
A.-I cannot remember.
Q. Have you any idea?
A. I never ascertained the fact.
Q. How many, roughly speaking; might there be 50 or 100?
A.--I cannot tell.
Q.-Have you any
idea how many
members there are now?
A.-No.
Q.-Is the Society self-supporting?
A. Yes, now, I think so.
A.-Yes,
Q.-It is not dependent upon subscriptions from the Man Mo Temple and the Tung Wa Hospital?
A.-It was.
Q.--But not now?
A.-No. Recently the Society got some large contributions from the Chinese community-a very considerable amount. But formerly it depended solely on the Tung Wa Hospital and the Man Mo Temple.
Q. Do you regard the Pó Léung Kuk Society as a purely benevolent one?
A.--That was the original intention.
Q-The Society exercises no administrative functions?
A.--None whatever.
Q.-It did not do so when you were Deputy Chairman?
A.-No.
Q. Are its duties confined to philanthropic work or do they extend to Police duties as well?
A. If you get a copy of the rules you will see that their duties are very simple.
Q.--I wish you to answer the question.
A.-I think they should confine their duties to the rules and regulations.
Q. And that those duties should not appertain to Police duties?
A.-No.
Q.-Have you any suggestions to make with reference to this new Ordinance, by way of improving it?
A. Yes. I made one suggestion a moment ago. Instead of having a permanent Committee I think they should offer themselves for re-election once in every three years.