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It can be seen that although not agreeing with the Gaol Commission that Corporal punishment should be inflicted in cases of simple larceny, they unanimously recommend it for other offences, and go further in this respect than the Gaol Commission.
3. The recommendation of the Gaol Commission that power should be restored to the Supreme Court and the Police Magistrates to impose the punishment of whipping for certain offences is endorsed by the Executive Council, by Mr Justice Russell, by both Police Magistrates, and by the Chinese Justices of the Peace, and it will be seen in the evidence taken before the Police Commission, to which I referred in paragraph 8 of my despatch 1921, that the opinion of most of the witnesses examined was in favour of this form of punishment.
4. Finding such a general consensus of opinion on this point, I have directed the Acting...