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Enclosure 3 in despatch of 22nd January, 1883, from the Officer Administering the Government of Hongkong
C 0.
3502
REOP
REGP 28 FEB 87
130
The China Mail.
HONGKONG, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 1888.
CORRESPONDENCE.
THE HAWKER NUISANCE.
To the Editor of the "China Mail."
17th Jan.
SIR. I shall be much obliged if you would give this letter a place in your columns. Ever since I had the honour to address His Excellency the Administrator on Monday last, I have felt that on the subject of the nuisance and obstruction in the streets caused by Hawkers, I had not dwelt sufficiently, nor explained myself clearly, and feared that the brevity, and ambiguity of my remarks might be the cause of a good deal of hardship to the poor unfortunate Hawkers. My fear was intensified by what I saw and heard this very morning in the Police Courts. There were a number of Hawkers charged with obstruction and nuisance, and I heard that there were yet more to follow. I have just received a letter from a respectable Chinese gentleman, pointing out to me that I did not speak the sentiments of the whole deputation on the subject. If so, I am sorry. Of course, I did not ask every one of them beforehand what I should say, a few leading members only were consulted.
After this, I think it necessary to express my real meaning more fully through your columns. There is no doubt that nearly all the Chinese merchants feel the inconvenience of having hawkers in such great numbers in every street, as much as the Europeans. The only reason for their long silence, and unwillingness to speak in the matter, has been the fear that the authorities would deal too harshly with these hawkers.
This fear seems to have been partially realized. Now permit me to point out respectfully to those in authority, that leniency combined with firmness and discretion, will do more for the removal of this nuisance than harsh measures. It is but just and fair to the Hawkers, who have apparently been allowed to occupy the streets with their goods so long undisturbed, to have proper notice and time given them to make the desired change. Some may be able and willing to rent small houses for shops, and some may adopt a different line of business altogether. But a harsh policy will be at once an injustice to them, and injurious to the Colony, as it will throw a large number of men out of work, and may be the means of augmenting the numbers of the lawless. I sincerely hope that the leniency I have suggested will be acted upon by the authorities, otherwise I fear that in the future the Chinese will be more backward than ever in stating their complaints publicly.
I remain, Yours faithfully,
HO KAI
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