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fully known to the Chinese. The objects and reasons of the bill, as laid before the Legislative Council, were that "This measure has as its object the reservation of that portion of the Island known as "the Peak" as a place of residence for persons other than Chinese"; and the debate which took place in Council on the second reading of the bill leaves no doubt whatever on the point. As in my
Gov 10982 Despatch of May, 1904, a copy of the late Dr. Ho Kai's
4, speech only was forwarded, I now enclose the full Hansard
report of the proceedings; and I would draw your particular attention to the proceedings in committee, which show (a) that the intention was to exclude all Chinese from residence (b) that Dr. Ho Kai on behalf of the Chinese accepted the principle but demurred to the wording of the Section (c) that the Attorney-General was solely responsible for the present wording, the excet effect of which escaped the notice of myself and all the Members of Council.
11.
I have stated that this Government has not hitherto admitted that the Ordinance can be so read as to allow Chinese to reside in houses at the Peak which are their private property. It is probable that Mr. Ho Kom-tong's intention, in acquiring a house at the Peak, is to place his wives, concubines, and children there, continuing himself to reside in a house on the lower levels which he has recently built at a cost of $250,000; and I am advised that in such case he would in fact be transgressing against the Ordinance. Be this as it may, I would ask your permission to take immedi -ate steps to amend the Ordinance so as to give legal force to its obvious intention, making it definite that, except with the consent of the Governor-in-Council, no Chinese may reside at the Peak. I need hardly say that there is the strongest possible feeling among the European community that
this should be done.
12.