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Q-Why not?
A-I think it would lead to trafficking and other abuses.
Q-They would be able to communicate with the prisoners much more easily? A-Yes, and probably communicate with their friends outside.
Q-Have you to obtain the sanction of the Governor before any floggings are administered ?
A-The sanction of the Governor has to be obtained before any floggings of a greater number than twelve strokes are administered.
Q-And in the case of floggings imposed by the Courts of Justice?
A-Yes, and in the case of floggings imposed by the Courts of Justice.
Q-At what time of the day do you impose them?
A-Immediately after hearing the reports; about 11.15 a.m.
Q-Do reports of misconduct reach you mostly through Europeans or mostly through Indians?
A-Mostly through Europeans.
Q-What are your opinions as to cutting off the queue as a mode of punishment? A-I think it might be tried. A Chinaman prides himself on the length of his queue and I think it would be a distinct punishment to him if his queue were cut. I was just going to recommend that, in the case of a man attempting to commit suicide his queue should be cut.
Q-Would you apply the cutting of the queue to all classes of prisoners--to short-sentence prisoners, for instance, as well as long-sentence prisoners, to prisoners sentenced for misdemeanour as well as to prisoners sentenced for felony?
A-No, I think I would make a distinction. I do not think that any treatment in Prison should be such that when a man quits Prison his caste would be lowered thereby. If it is a distinct loss of caste for a Chinaman to lose his queue, then I do not see that you gain any advantage by lowering him in the eyes of his friends when he comes out. A man is sent to Prison with the hope that he will go out a better man, and to brand him as a criminal would be a mistake,
Q-Would it have a good effect to cut off their queues when they are in Gaol and let them grow while they are in Gaol?
A-So long as there is reasonable time. The Regulations provide that a man's hair shall be allowed to grow before he leaves Prison.
Q--Supposing a man was sentenced to twelve months and he had his queue cut off immediately he went into Prison, or suppose he was told that if he misbehaved himself during the first nine months he would be liable to have his queue cut off, would that he a deterrent ?
A-It might be.
Q-It would have the effect of bringing upon him the ridicule of his fellow- prisoners?
A-It might.
Q-Would you advocate cutting off the queue of a prisoner providing adequate time was given for it to grow before he went out ? -
A-I would.