POLICE (Contd.)
POLICE (Contd.)
239
816
of Police and the Registrar General, that District Watchmen be embodied in the Police Force under one head.
Public meetings of indignation were held and finally a Memorial was forwarded to the Colonial Office, praying for the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry. Sir Richard MacConnell returned from furlough about this time and without any reference to Home Authorities appointed a Commission consisting of Messrs. T. C. Hayllar, W. Keswick, F. W. Mitchell, F. Stewart, H. Lowcock, W. Lemann, George Falconer, and A. Lister. The Commission made some useful findings but differed with the Governor over status of District Watchmen, and the bifurcation had to continue.
Before Sir Richard departed, he appointed two "gentlemen detectives" each receiving handsome remuneration, but the appointments were viewed by the community as a mere excuse for filling the pockets of the Governor's "boys."
Further details of the early history of the Police Force will be given to-morrow.
Yesterday I dealt fully with the condition of the Police Force during the Administration of Sir Richard MacDonnell. When Sir Arthur Kennedy took over the reins of office, he found the problem of setting up an efficient Force still unsolved.
The Commission appointed in December, 1871, by Sir R. MacDonnell advised Sir Arthur in the report they submitted in July, 1872, to increase the pay of the men; to form a detective staff and to give due encouragement to European and Indian constables to study the Cantonese dialect. In the question of increasing the number of Chinese constables, members of the Commission were equally divided. Sir Arthur at once telegraphed for an additional relay of Edinburgh constables and altogether, 45 Scottish policemen were enlisted by 1872.
The Assistant Superintendent of Police (Mr. Thomas F. Rice) made a strange recommendation about this time, but no notice whatever was taken of it. He suggested the fusion of all nationalities in the police force, even if such a measure should occasionally place Indians or Chinese in command of Europeans. Soon after Mr. Rice left for Japan, and joined the Police Force there.
And now the Governor resolved that the time had come to increase the Chinese contingent of the Force. In the Legislative Council, the Hon. Mr. P. Ryrie protested against such a measure, and was supported by other Unofficials. In reply, the Governor said he was satisfied with the general results of the Police Administration, and contended that the Colony was in as good a Condition of peace and order as any of Her Majesty's dominions.
After Mr. Rice left the Colony, the office of Assistant Superintendent of Police was abolished and replaced (in 1873) by the post of Chief Inspector. Mr. G. Horspool was first Chief Inspector of the Hong Kong Police Force. He acted under the orders of the Deputy Superintendent (C. V. Creagh) and the Captain Superintendent (W. M. Deane). The Chinese portion of the Force was placed under a special Superintendent on January 14, 1873. The first man to fill this post was Mr. H. E. Wodehouse.
He was the father of the world-famous humorist, P. G. Wodehouse, creator of Psmith and Jeeves. Another son, Philip Peveril John Wodehouse later followed in his father's footsteps and became a Divisional Superintendent. He retired about eighteen months ago.
Page 240
Page 241