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any Chinese whom he suspected of being abroad for an improper purpose. If the suspect did not make a proper answer when challenged, he was to be shot on the spot.
The Home Government took exception to this provision because "it seems to expose the lives of peaceful citizens to serious danger without adequate cause." The Colonial Office considered the measures of the ordinance too severe for the situation in the Colony as it had been described in the Governor's covering despatch. Sir John Bowring had said the measures were intended to prevent the burning of Victoria. He expressly stated he had no fear of an uprising among the Chinese.
In view of this the Colonial Office suggested that if an uprising should occur the best procedure would be to declare martial law, rather than have measures incorporated in an ordinance which are customarily in effect only when martial law is in force. The Governor was instructed to issue a Proclamation suspending the ordinance.
When these instructions were received in Hongkong, however, the Colony had passed through the traumatic experience of their poisoned breakfast bread. This had exacerbated the feeling of insecurity among the foreigners. It was deemed necessary that there be an Ordinance "for better securing the peace of the Colony." Hence, immediately after the Proclamation of the suspension of Ordinance No 2 of 1857, Ordinance No 9 of 1857 was enacted.
It did not contain the clauses which were objectionable to the Home Government but it retained the light and pass requirements.
From time to time as the years passed the hours were changed and the conditions modified. Provisions were made to alleviate some of the inconvenience caused to Chinese of recognised good reputation by permitting them to secure an annual pass on application to the Registrar General.
In 1870 Ordinance No 14 of that year was enacted “to amend and consolidate the law in relation to the Issue of Passes for Chinese.
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