207
the
The
Attorney
Course
is to instruct
propose is to
General to prepare
an
ordinance for the purpose of registering a certain number of Gambling houses, which ordinance I will lay on the Table of the Legislative Council and read a first time, but I will not proceed further until I ascertain that Her Majesty's Government put no veto on the further pursuit of the question.
I have the honor to be, With the highest respect,
Your Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
John Bowring
PS.
The Manila Papers are constantly reporting the heavy fines and punishments inflicted on gamblers. While writing this despatch I receive the Official Bulletin of the Philippines of 15th January, which I forward. It records 36 Crees of persons (many of whom females) punished by fines amounting from 5 to 100 Dollars, and hard labour from 50 to 100 Days, for gambling.