Enclosure to Governor's Despatch (N07)799
523 of the 31st December, 1901,
4601
Report on the summoning of Chinese Ordinance, 1899.
Race & TEB 21
1. The reasons for introducing the Summoning of Chinese Ordinance No. 40 of 1899 are fully given in the Memorandum by the Colonial Secretary on the Protest against the Ordinance by the Hon. B. B. Whitehead.
2. The necessity for giving the Government power to require the attendance of the Chinese inhabitants of the New Territory still exists. Since the occupation, the powers of the literati have been greatly curtailed and there exists among them a spirit of antagonism to the Government. This antagonism is sufficiently strong in parts of the country to deter well-disposed persons from coming forward to assist Government Officers. Only the other day, some influential land owners near the Boundary Line were reported to be attempting to deter the land owners in their district from lodging claims, by saying that the British occupation was only temporary and would soon end. It deserves notice also that on every occasion that summonses have been issued under this Ordinance, some have been disregarded and the persons summoned have had to be brought to the Office under warrant.
3. So far, very sparing use has been made of the powers given under the Ordinance. No accurate record has been kept of the number of summonses issued, but previous to December, 1900, it was so small that it had not been found necessary to print any form of summons or warrant. An exact record will be kept in future.
4. On every occasion that the powers given have been used, the results have been most beneficial. Misunderstandings have been cleared away and the work of administration has proceeded with greater smoothness.
5. No complaints have reached the Registrar-General of any hardship having been caused by the working of the Ordinance.
I strongly recommend that the Ordinance be continued in operation.
(sd.) F. H. May,
Acting Registrar-General.
30th December, 1901.