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public in Hongkong had the slightest suspicion of what was going on. All opportunity of petition to the Secretary of State to prevent this measure be. coming law has thus been denied to Her Majesty's
abjects resident in Hongkong,
grity we do not see why the Government should shrink from areepts ing the largest suns which it may be worth the while of gambling. house keepers to pay. Thore is no possibility of supposing that they will be any more lontent to the gamblers, as it were, on account of the refusal of the Government to take more than a limited suma. The difference will simply go into their pockets, and even if this were not , the Government would hardly wish to inaugurate a system which by offering exceptional advantages to the gambler greater than those held out to hit elsewhere, would make Hongkong the chosen resort
After their attention had been drawn to the start- of gamblers for the whole province. It may seem slucking to many honest and creditable prejudices, the idea of thus asimilating the ling fact, that the local government had resolved to institutions of Hongkong, in one respect to those of Maca, but establish licensed public gambling houses, three re- legislation camat be ruled by vague sentimentalities of this descriptiondent missionaries waited upon Sir Richard MacDon. the arrangements for carrying out the new policy advance towards mell to remonstrate with him upon the serious injury completion, there will be no doubt a great deal to say about the this proceeding would inflict upon the moral welfare of the Chinese population and the disgrace which would be brought upon the British and the Christian namo thereby. This interview they followed up by a lotter embodying their protest against the scheme. This letter, with His Excellency's reply, we now re- print.
but for the present dealing with the broad principles of this groat and comprehensive change, we need not do more than express a conviction that a wise and sound policy has been adopted, which by reconciling law with common sense will have a tendency to diminish crime, and will simplify the task of governing this anomalous community in a great variety of ways.
(Nors 4) It appears an indisputable inference from this article that, prior to its publication, the intention of the government to license public gambling houses
had been kept a complete secret from the public of Heverent Charles F. Warren and Others to His Becellency Sir Hickard Hongkong.
(Nore H) Also that the editor of the Daily Press had received private information of this intention, emanating from some government source.
(Nore (1) The intention of the local government to license gambling houses in Hongkong, was therefore not made public until about twelve months after the ordinance, by which this power is conferred upon the government, was first introduced into the Legislative
Council.
Graves MacDonnell, C.B., Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Hony- bong.
LONDON MISSION HOUSE, Hongkong, 24th July, 1867.
-After the recent interview of Messrs. WARREN, MORRIS, and TERNER, with Your Excellency, when you were so good as to listert
some arguments against the proposed system of licensing Gam- og Houses in this Colony, are you intimated your intention of ting that system into operation; we desire respectfully to lay tore Your Excellency the following objections, to which we venture beg your earnest consideration.
we abject to, and feel in conscience bound to protest against, this
scheme, for the following reasons:--
-Because it has been introduced in an underhand and un-
It is included in an Ordinance for the Maintenance of Order and
(Note D) Through this reticence on the part ofglish way, the local government, ratification of their policy was obtained from the Home Government, before the leanliness," a title under which no one would look for such a measure.
(7"