CO537-3711 — Page 47

Magistrate. He is appointed not to control the 200 civilians

resident within the city, who are really subjects to the military,

but to exercise a somewhat extensive jurisdiction outside the city,

When that area has throughout a large portion of the new area.

been taken over, there appears to be no reason why this office of Deputy Magistrate should continue to exist, as the jurisdiction now exercised by him will be merged in the administration of the

territory under British rule.

The civil population within the city of Kowloon, amounting to 200, lives there simply because it is dependent on the military. It does not engage in trade, there being no shops of any kind within the city. If the military remove from the city, the civil

population is sure to follow, so there will be no one remaining over whom a Chinese officer could exercise jurisdiction.

In any case it appears to be entirely inconsistent with the military requirements for the defence of Hong Kong to allow a garrison tow like Kowloon to be occupied permanently by Chinese

military officers and troops. If that view be accepted, there

seems to be nothing to justify the retention of Chinese jurisdiction in any shape or form within the city for without the garrison the

population will, it is certain, be reduced to nothing.

Should any civilians remain after the removal of the military, they might be allowed to establish a native tribunal presided over by the elders and gentry, but subject, of course, in the same way as the other native tribunals throughout the territory, to the control of the travelling magistrate, and possessing the right of appeal to the Council of the Tung, and finally to the Commissioner.

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