had been quelled without resort to arms, yet that it was necessary to take prompt and energetic measures to stamp out the feeling of mutiny which was evidently rife. For this purpose the new powers vested in the Superintendent appeared to be admirably suited, as though 19 strokes with a cane would not appear a very severe punishment to a Chinese man, accustomed to the harsh treatment employed in his own country, still it would be more deterrent than any other punishment likely to prove immediately available. I accordingly caused the prisoners, who had persistently refused to work, to pass the Colonial Surgeon, and to receive 12 strokes each on the breech with the regulation cane forthwith. Fifty-four were whipped on the 31st ultimo, and four on the following day, the punishment occupying about a minute and a half in each case. Eleven men, who appeared to have been acting as ringleaders, were reserved for trial by a Visiting Justice.
On the 1st instant I obtained the services of Mr. Wise (Police Magistrate and acting Registrar), one of the Visiting Justices for the week, and in conjunction with him, tried the eleven men who were thereupon sentenced to receive 18 strokes. As it was in my opinion eminently desirable to have this sentence carried into effect at once, I obtained His Excellency's sanction to proceed with it forthwith. The prisoners accordingly