When I receive them I shall have
the recontions fully. an official Copy
the Conor of trammitting it with
few observations.
I have the hover to be.
Sir, Your Most Berint
Huruble Lervant,
14.816
THE CHINA MAIL.
KIKONO, MONDAY, OUTOWER 7, 1878.
THE PRESENT ECURITY OF LIFE AND
PROPERTY
IN HONGKONG.
MUSIC OPEN-AIR MEETING,
ance to the advertisement of the Mr G. F. A. Saugator), calling & asting to sonsider the present state ty of life and property fa the
, and to pass much reelutions as may und ad risable,--the foreign resliputs to semble to St. George's Hall, Bell building, shortly before 3p. m. stars that hour, however, the native
panda wore observed streaming down to *Lich suggested nothing short of a y. The result of this sedan for le to appear, and long ere the hour sting arrived, the large hall was My packed by ■ Chinese sudience—s #mall space indeed being left for the residents, the committe, the even the Chalemen. After a se prison, as ob member of the for mmunity put his head inside the door orded fail, and nut a little "chaff” intriguse of those who had picked log by non-English-speaking Da was suggest that the meating miste adjuntaed to the Theatre of the
an Ground. After scale conversations, read that it would be were in order to opan the meeting, and iden adjoura to the penale.
Kit Bangeter (the Sheriff) then mounted , and having rund the requisition Mag upon him to convene the meeting,
clared the meetlag opon, and asked the
to appolata shairman.
B. A. Nelson proposed the Me
B. Gibb take the chair, which proposi
Was received with loud okers. Upon i ton being seconded, a foreign
écent cried "Hands up," and it was
it to note the manner in which the Rebeld up their bands like antematons.
the porument of Go
No. 4761-OCTOBER 7, 1878.] Chairman being carried by acclamation, there was a general stampede to the Cricket Ground,
Upon the foreign residents reaching the Cricket Ground, a ring was formed, and the large meeting quietly waited for its Chairman; while the Chinese occupied the verandahs of the City Hall, and took up poaltions outside the rlag. At the head of the native hand was Mr Ng Choy, who, just as the first revolution was carried, asked that the Chinese should be consultad. He was informed by the Chairman that he could not put a remolcsion to the mesting moes than once. Cyon Mr Chey waving his hand to the native gathering, the Cal nene moved away, cheering and waving their fans as they wout,
209
THE CHI
ropean poloemen (crius of "No, no.") Thal duty, and I must go through with it, hoping that was a fact he was in a position to set to receive the support of the meeting in car- because three or four others had special rying the resolution. From what has fallen duites to perform,oue to look after from those who have already addressed yon, Mr Huffa papore in the Supretze and from the manner in which the previous Court, another the Government relations have been passed and received, it and a go. There were only fivo is quite clear that this community is dima. open policemen to look siter Hongkong tisfied with the policy of the Government as that night; and besitles that in the Cen regards the administrative of the laws and tral district there were only about the treatment of criminals; while there is Chinese and Sikhs, of whom a very steal reason to believe that the machinery com
He put it that posing the Government has be worked proportion were armed. anah position of affairs as that was enough lately in a ruanner quite inconsistent with to tempt criminals. It was not an act the proper performance of those functions altogether of negligence, Leganes nobody for which it had been arranged; in fact, expected the attack, but no doubt this that for some time there has been so little guardel slate of the Colony was one of the socord between the head of the Government elements which led to the auack. As to and winest all of the different departments, nude leniency; what did that refer to that the maobine is quite out of gear and With regard to the use of the cat; all he does not work sa the publie have a right to knew was that whipping on the breech, pest it should. Who is to blame for, sei which was very severe punishmeus what is the remedy for this? That others Voice: For boys and gitis.] must answer. It is clear that we are power- been subalitated for the cat, and had been less to rearrange the various parts of the on- curried out in a ment eflotus manner. gine, and make it do all its work in the The CHAIRMAN said that the requisition When those 60 or 70 men isuded there, be smooth, Buss, regular manner it did prior to calling the meeting had not been signed lo asked that meeting, whether thoes on, in ta disarrangement; and it therefore ly any captions spirit either by Kuropeans or the least degree considered whether, if they remains for us to seek help elsewhere---from were caught, they would be flagged on the Her Majesty's Government; and to this end Chinese, but in the fervent and legal hope backside or on the back. They rather son. I have to ask you to pass the Resolution I that that gathering weight suggest a remedy sidered the chance whether or not they pupose. I will only give you the heads of what I intended to say, and mention one for the existing alarming state of his would be caught.
The CHAIRMAN was about putting the reor two instances where my remarks apply. (Apple) Re trusted that both the Chinese solution, as Mr Francis proposed to amend Firstly, as regards the application of the
laws and carrying out the sentences of th and European residents present would it to the meeting, when
Justice Smale's sentences Mr FRANCIS explaired, amid some little Courte,--(1) gira thele vote dispassionately knowing mafasiou, that he wished the Chairman to of flogging with the cat" were disallowed what they were voting for, and not inlet the wesendment read that the words he last year (without any modical examination of any spirit of evil one towards another. He abjosted to be omitted, instead of pating the prisoner) un the plea thas the use of the bad his own opinions as to what had caused the original motion, as propemed to be vald cause consumption; (3) In spite of the existing laws, both public and private amended, is the meeting. the present alase of affirm here. joara ngo crime was very rampant in the colony, and repressive framed for its repression. That these Car Ware Uffective cbooking
After some further remarks the result without the Police arst obtaining the Go- trime was shown by the decrease in tion as proposed to be amanded was to Ternor's personal saution, thus individually that opened. Of late repressira manaures
kome
Enescuras wore
LF
Mr MESTA proposed as a rider to the fogging with the oat have been abolished; mendment that "the amendment proposed (3) Deportation and tattoo taarking behind by Government officials present at that the ear have also been practically abolished; meeting, Mars Francis and Hayllar, be(4) Again, in spite of the law, no retorne departee can now be proceeded againet, not accupied" (laughter and appistiae.)
diment.
letter, was disallowed. Secondly, as to tha relations existing between the Head of the Government and the other officiais(1) The most serious estrangement is known to exist between the Executive and the Judi- diary, and how can the law be administered the Judges are not supported by the Exe- entia: The sofandstad nittion of
here had been relaxed, and he thought icated by the meating, on a vote being interposing between criminals and the law return to the more stringent ways of coat-on, and the original motion carried) Discredit has been shown on the ad- sation of the Supreme Court, the death sen fug wis the criminal ass was desirable, only three or four hands being belt op in ministration af justice by impuguing the He referred more particularly to the use of
Mr No Chor said the large number of temos in the Shek-o murder case having been the oat, which might be a cruel instrument, Chiness present did not understand what commented on the ples that the prisoner had but svaru seta cailed for severe mesaurus.
was being done, and they did not have ze not been defended by a sobcitor as well as a The Chinese who were present knew sa well as he did that there was a very opportunity of voting "On the contrary, barrister; (0) Acting Chief Justice Snowden's A Voice: Why do they some then if they application to have his defence of the Supreme dangerona oissa on the mauland, and very
dun't understand what is going on? Court published in the Gazette, following Suvaro muzkates were try to krep
Mr Na Choy protested against the proths påblication of Chief Justice Bosle theas away from this Colony. (pplause)
Mr Fass asked whether they frere to seedings, and on a sign from him the whole have on sunt cooltion a discussion in regard body of Chinese, for natura bering the to the state of see Colony or whester Europeans prewat, left the bold, giving number of gentlemen had come there who went to some cheers as they went,
Mr W. H. Foss then triedy moved: had diesused toe master and decided the
That in the opialos of this meeting question among them vives, and had their
there is no recessity for any shang, Felutions prepared and ded
in the laws and Police regulations their peches eas and aned-to wik the
the Colong, but that the remedy fo mens of that meeting to their resolutions.
the existing state of affairs is in a fro The meeting was oiled to consider and
and unfettered adunicistention of th dions the existing arate of insecurity in
law sa they stand, especially those re lating to the punishments for oxime with violence that Blogging in publi baboon found to be the only realiy deterring pautahment for the eians v ariazicala raquansing the Colony, Bu to its suspension and the suspension of the peasarily stern odes of treat ment enforved during previous govern menta, is attributable to the daring baldones which has lately characterizer crime in Bangkong."
the Colony," and to pass sily such resolu Hour as might be deemed desirable if the resolusions and speeches were cut and desed be did not think the meeting woltid have the weight it otherwise would have fez- pressicos of disapprobation.)
The CHAIRMAN contended that "ont and dried resoinuous" were quite in order.
Mr FBANCIS said he had not ressived sa answer to his question,
The OMIEMAN Dogged Air Franciz's par- don; he was not in position to tell Mr
At G. SHART, in seconding the resolution Francia what was going to take place, and he declued to do anything of the kind.
Ho W. K2WICE, in nioving the frat emphatically declared that nearly the whol it hot the whole of the respectable Chisem resolution aid that when the wellare residente agreed with the views that hac
of the Colony was at stake he thought been expressed in the semolations. He als it well that there should be no hesita strongly advocated pablie logging, and tium on the part of thes
who
felt speaking on the question of deportation sai
mast dafer a longer report of Mr Sharp's speech until another occasion.]
deeply for its welfare to speak out. the Judges at the Supreme Court wor The bead of the faecutive in this Colony giving sentences uf imprisonment at the had for the last eighteen months in the rate of about 30 yotes a month. opinion, he believed, of the majority of the solucite, been sating in that firmus which the peoted the Government to es Mr Favors said that with many of the grouse in the suppression of crime. (Apple) assertions in the resolution he agreed; His Excellency had no doubt acted iron was in favour of corporal punishment an the very beat of motire,he had no doubt believed it was no ly proper punish
But the Governoi from a feeling of humanity which they must for many offences.
Ni
The motion was then carried, there being only two or three dissentinta.
all respect, although they believed it haal not go against medical opinions and In this susiauca been mis-applied. In this against public opinion at Home. As to the Inland they were unly a stone's throw from poins force it was obviously inadequate, bui tae Kwangtung provines, which, while it it was as the Governor had found it here produced a most enterprising people, also The Colony was ruled not so much by the produced a ruas lawlaga class. I thought Governor as the Secretary of State. the Goversment ought to do all it could to burglar, under the existing state of the keep away that awie ned dangerons law could be punished by flogging unless he class, and when itey cane bere to send was caught by weapons in hit bands. them away ngein with not very pleasant Fezembrabus of the place. Ele did not soy shot the present state of adults wea entirely due to the relaxation of repressive deeures, for they all know that the Colony had been subject to increases of crime st times, and that it was only by se Varity that bedr ual state of security was regained. He proposed the follow- jag relation, and he did not mak one single man to vote for it unless he fait be could conscientiously do so
That during the past 18 months life and property in this Colony has been sertoosly jeopardized end & tecling ef Jupesurity, the result of recent events, has best engendered which in the opinion of this meeting has been ainly caused by a policy of nadue Janiec towards the criminal classes." Mr BEIXES said he felly govcurred with the remarks that had been made, and he had greas pleazare in seconding the rasolu.
1100.
Mr FRANCI moved as an ansonsteni that the last three lines of the resolution, expressing an epiulon as to the cance of the insecurity should be omitted. The first part of the resolution would doubtless meet with general approval, but probably not so the last part, which mighs therefore be emitted and put as a separate resoltition.
Mr Breaze then traved the third re- solution ex follows:-
"That his meeting views with great apprehension the opinion of the Co- Jonial Surgeon with regard to the effect of the use of the cut-o'-nine-tails on the back of criminals and the action of His Excellency the Goreroor in respect thersto, and proponos that a Commis Bit of medical men be appointed to inquire into the matter,"
Mr W. 8. YUNG seconded the resolution, which was carried, with the usual three or four dissentients.
Mr NELSON proposed :---
That is the opinion of this meeting the almost wal abolition of the system of deporting habitan) sriminals, which ic moet takes means simply returning the deported to the place from whit they came to vioints the laws of the Colony, a injuditions and will resali iu Go accommodarjou bavlog 10 by provided for a undas proportion the criatual population of the Sout of China, atat expense the Colon should not be salled upon to baazi
At 'CEMONT seconded the resolution
Mr Hatuan, in ending the amend-which also carried almost unanimously.
most, id that in 1871-72 he had the honouri od sitting on a Communion with a great number of other gerilemen in the Colony. After due investigation they recommended, among other matters, that the police forto should be increased by at least 150 moo. That recommendation was practically em. houted by the Superintendent of Palios in the Bundal estimates for 1873 those stimate baking the Coope for the moner for the astutenuse of T&D me Instead of 800. That, gentlecaO, WAS not agreed to, and freze the year 1870 up to the preeant time the police for had never hoen increased although their whole dulici, be should suppose; had bean increased one thiro. They divided, at that thase, the city of Victoris into 200 beats.
The Hon. W. Lowcock proponed the. following resolution →→→
Thus the meeting is strongly of opinion tbst it in tesicable that tier Majesty's Liprorament should sppalat a Com minos from England, on teso som Calouy or Cuientes ether than Bung Long, with fad powers to enquire into the present administration of the Gov erathens of Uria Quiong, especially sa regarda site application of the griminal Jan, the Lafrying out of the antennes of the Bourta tid the relations existing between the head of this unyozumeni sed the other officials in every depart. ment.
Mr Lowcock seld-Gentlemet, I prestima
It was at the present day divided into taly all of us here praent entertain about the 87; and he put it to them that Ef bears came feeling of regret for the necessity ware not nearly efficient for the wants of which has called this meeting together: the Colour. The forca cesalomally became but I do out think I am thing you as my a reduced that some men had to take two fellow-citizens to believe too much when I beats, and on the nighs of the stack in Wing.asp that I never before felt a mach pain lok-test he was in a pration to assert and regret it pariorming a duty s do that Bangkong on that night bad tedd of now in proposing the position which bas orite pentaen dusing the night non fy head good in my bande 25 in howwwŁY. N