Annexure referred to in
Clause 21 of 1
the Mercerias.
THE MEETING OF UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
A Meeting of Justices of Peace, not being official members of the Government, was held at the Hongkong Club on the 30th August, at 11 A.M., pursuant to notice, issued by the Honorable P. Brk, senior non-official J P.
Present: Honorable P. Rynus, Honorable R. Rowerr, W. Wilson, Esq., T. G. LINSTEAD, Esq., S. J. Gower, Esq., G. McLean, Esq. T. Prae, Esq., E. Arthur, Esq., E. D. Sassoon, Esq., J. Berwick, Esq., J. M. Viereus, Esq., and E. R. BELLICS, Esq.
Mr. Bras stated that it had been thought advisable to call a Meeting of the Justices of the Pence, who were not officially connected with the Government, to consider whether, under the circumstances of the alarming increase of crime in the Colony, and the apparent powerlessness of the Police to prevent it, or even to discover and arrest the offenders, some steps might not be taken on heball of the Community at large, ro ascertain the cause of the existing state of matters and inaugurate some reform for the future. His attention had long been directed to this subject, and as a Member of the Legislative Council he had some time ago endeavoured ineffectually to procuce an investigation, with what result the following correspondence would shew:-
My Dear Mr. Austin,
*Hoxenose, 16th November, 1870.
"As it is my intention to propose at the next Meeting of the Legislative Comcil, that a Commission be appointed, composed of a certain number of Government Officers and non-official Justicus of the Peace, to enquire into the entire system and management of the Police Force, I shall feel obliged if you will inform me if any previous notice of such is required to be given. The complaints of all or nearly all the owners of property in the place, of the inefficiency and very heavy expense of the Police are so loud, that I feel if my duty, as a Member of Council, as well as a private individual, having a large amount of house property belonging to friends under my management and care. to call for a thorough investigation,
Yours truly,
(Signed) "P. RYRIE."
In reply to this an intimation was given that any such information should be applied for officially, and su official answer would be given.
Mr. Bens accordingly addressed a letter dated 50th November, 1870, to the Colonial Secretary, which, with its reply, was read:--
"HONGKONG, 30th November, 1870.
"Sm-There exists in the Colony at present so much dissatisfaction regarding the manner in which Police work is conducted, as also with regard to the very great cost of the Force, that I consider it hay duty to propose that a Commission be appointed to enquire into the entire system of Polier management, said Commission to be composed of equal numbers of Government Officers and non-official Justices of the Peace, and its proceedings to be open to the public. It is my desire to make the above proposal at the next Meeting of the Legislative Council, provided, of course, that the same meets with His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor's appproval. "I have, &c., du,
To the Honorable J. GARDINER AUSTIN,
(Signed,) "P. RYRIE.
"Colonial Serdary, Sa., de”
→COLONIAL SECURTARY'S OFFICE,
Hosaxons, 2nd December, 1870.
S-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, uml to acquaint you, in reply, by desire of the Lieutenant-Governor, that as in accordance with lustructions received from the Secretary of State, full Police Reports have been already transmitted to Downing Street, and no changes whatever can therefore be made until replies have been received, His Excellency cannot consent to any motion being made by you in the Legislative Connell for the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the state of the Police I have, &c., &c.,
(Signed)
*J. GARDINER AUSTIN, "Colonial Secretary.
The Honorable PHINEAS RYHYE, &c., &."
Some conversation then ensued, wherein the unaninous feeling was confirmatory, and in extension of the Chairman's remarks and the great cause of complaint existing in consequence of the Police inefficiency,
It was then proposed by Mr. MACLEAN, secondled by Mr. E. D. Sassoon, and carried unanimously :-
That the whole body of non-official Justices of the Pence, waits upon His Excellency the Governor by appointment, sud ascertain if any, and what, immediate steps are being taken by the Government with regard to the reformation of the Police Fores."
It was then proposed by Mr. T. G. LISTEAD, and seconded by the llonorable P. Rrare, and carried unanireously :--- "That His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor be also requested to appoint a Commission consisting principally of residents not official members of Government, with full power and authority to enquire into the existing state of the Police Force, the result of such eugniry to be made public, and that the former Official Report of the Commission of 1869 be as a preliminary placed in the lands of the Commission now desired to be appointed."
The CHAIRMAN consented to ascertain when His Excellency the Licatenant-Governor would receive the deputation, and the Meeting then adjourned.
THE POLICE FORCE.
THE DEPUTATION OF UNOFFICIAL JUSTICES OF TUR PEACE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE Labutenant-GovERSOR.
A deputation, consisting of the following gentlemen, waited on His Excellency the Lientenant-Governor on the 9th instant-Honorable P. Rysia, Honorable R. RowETT, W. WILSON, T. G. LINSTEAD, S. J. Gowen, G. MACLEAN, T. PYKR, E. ARTHUR, E. D. Sassoon, J. Benwick, J. M. VICKERS, and E. R. BALIJOS, Esquires.
Honomible P. Rrmis (who acted as spokesman of the departation) stated that, from his letter to the Colonial Secretary, His Excellency had no doubt been made aware of the object of the present deputation, and he thought that His Excellency would adrait that the present insecure state of the Colony, the numerous Primes and attacks on persons and property which had occurred, and continued to oeur, with increasing frequency, unchecked, undiscovered and unpunished, the great alarm thereby occasioned among the residents of the Colony, fully justified the public feeling which led to the recent inceting of non-official Justices of the Peace, resulting in two resclutions, which he would lay before His Excellency. Mr. RYRt then proceeded to read the first Resolution, which is as follows:--
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