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CARL SMITH
inconvenience of hawkers but hesitate to speak up for fear the authorities would deal too harshly. This fear seems to have been partially realised.”
He suggested that "leniency combined with firmness and discretion will do more for the removal of this nuisance than harsh measures.” On the other hand, “a harsh policy will be at once an injustice to them and injurious to the Colony, as it will throw a large number of men out of work, and may be the means of augmenting the numbers of the lawless." If leniency was not shown and consideration given to Chinese views on the matter, Dr. Ho Kai feared "that in the future the Chinese will be more backward than ever in stating their complaints publicly.”
All in all the deputation had the appearance of being an exercise in futility. This, at least, was a view expressed in the press. The writer felt "some other influence besides a desire to inculcate in the entire community the true principle of decorum, piety and virtue, had been at work to manufacture the pretentious deputation."
The cynical conclusion drawn was that it took place because "Dr. Ho Kai was anxious to deliver a prepared speech, and that the majority of gentlemen forming the deputation came for fashion's sake.”
The deputation, with all its troubles, was yet another step in the groping of Government and of Chinese to create ways of communication with each other. With every attempt some lesson was learned.
HOW A-MEI RETRIEVED HIS PLACE AT THE TOP
Ho A-mei clashed with Dr. Ho Kai over the doctor's remarks about hawkers during the visit of a Chinese deputation to the acting Governor in January 1883.
A half year later there was another encounter between the two over Dr. Ho Kai's representation of Chinese interests at a public meeting called to discuss a suitable memorial for the late Governor.