HONGKONG.
ANNO SEXTO ET SEPTIMO
VICTORIÆ REGINÆ.
No. 13 of 1844.
'Y His Excellency JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS, Esquire, Governor, and Commander in Chief of the Colony of Hongkong, and its dependencies, Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, and Superintendent of the Trade of British Subjects in China, with the advice of the Legislative Council of Hongkong.
An Ordinance for the appointment and Regulation of Native Chinese Peace Officers (Paouchong and Paonkea) within the Colony of Hongkong. [31st May, 1844.]
WHEREAS it is expedient to adopt and preserve such Chinese Institutions as tend to the preservation of peace, and good order. Be it therefore enacted, by His Excellency, the Governor of Hongkong, with the advice of the Legislative Council thereof, that it shall be lawful for the said Governor to appoint such, and so many native Chinese Peace Officers, (superior and inferior Paouchong and Paoukea) throughout the various towns, villages, and hamlets of the Colony of Hongkong, and its dependencies, as he may deem expedient.
Title.
Preamble.
2. And be it enacted, that the said Peace Officers shall be elected, and recommended for the Office, in such mode as His Excellency the Governor may determine, by the necessary inhabitants of the several towns, hamlets, districts, or divisions in the said Colony: Officers to be selected by inhabitants subject to the approval of the Governor, Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall render it compulsory on His said Excellency the Governor to appoint the persons so elected, or recommended for such Office, or to prevent him from appointing such other fit persons as he may deem expedient.
Officers to be constables and to act in accordance with the laws of China.
3. And be it enacted, that the said Peace Officers as appointed (Paouchong and Paoukea) shall have the same authorities, privileges, and immunities, as any constable of the Police force of the Colony of Hongkong, and shall also have and exercise such power and authority, and shall be subject to be punished for neglect of duty, in like manner as hath been customary within the dominions of the Emperor of China. Provided always that no such Peace Officer shall have power to inflict any punishment whatsoever on any offender.
Chief Magistrate to make Rules and Regulations thereto.
4. And be it enacted, that the Chief Magistrate of Police, with the approbation of the Governor in Council, shall make Rules and Regulations to be observed by the said Officers, and that the said Officers shall in all respects be under the control, and conform to the orders of the said Chief Magistrate of Police, and the Police Magistrate for their respective districts.
Officers guilty of disobedience or misconduct liable to a fine of two hundred dollars.
5. And be it enacted, that any such Officer as aforesaid, who shall be guilty of any disobedience of such Rules or Orders as aforesaid or of any neglect or misconduct in the execution or pretended execution of his duty, shall, on conviction thereof before any Magistrate of Police, forfeit a sum not exceeding two hundred dollars, to be levied in a summary way, according to the provisions of Ordinance No. 10 of 1844.
Officers to receive occasional rewards for good conduct and wear badge.
6. And be it enacted, that the said Officers so appointed, shall receive such rewards for good conduct, and shall wear such Honorable badge of their Office, as may hereafter be appointed by His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong.
Officer guilty of gross misconduct to be dismissed with ignominy.
7. And be it enacted, that if any such Officer as aforesaid, shall be guilty of gross misconduct in his Office, he shall, in addition to paying such fine as aforesaid, be liable to be dismissed from his Office with such marks of ignominy as are customary in China, and His Excellency the Governor of Hongkong is hereby empowered to dismiss such offender, and to cause such marks of ignominy to be inflicted in a summary manner.
JOHN FRANCIS DAVIS,
Governor, &c., &c., &c.
Passed the Legislative Council, this 31st day of May, 1844.
A. E. SHELLEY,
Clerk of the Legislative Council.
HONGKONG,-Published by Authority.
Printed by Ious Cairns