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Efficiencies have been achieved, making them the best instruments for carrying out the regulations. As regards the Exten... themselves, the class of people whom we have had hitherto at our disposal are universally corrupt, that it is found impossible entirely to employ them. The character of a large portion of the population adds greatly to the difficulty. It originates from the fact that Hong Kong was a place of piratical retreat, resembling in that respect most of the neighbouring islands where inhabitants are to a great extent sea-robbers by profession. Hong Kong is naturally a refugium peccatorum. Its adjacency to the continent will always make it the receptacle of outlaws, vagabonds, and criminal offenders, and the migratory and shifting character of a large portion of its population will long be a source of trouble and anxiety. But I think the main object of introducing the Chinese system of government, one of the main features of which is making the elders and the substantial people responsible for what passes in their district, might constantly be kept in view.
European institutions and habits will never affect a modification to any considerable extent the mighty...
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