1960-02-10 — Page 6

THE CHINA `MAIL,

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1980.

FINE POLICE. INDEED!

IN order to obtain a clear picture of what the early Police Force was up against, it might be just as well to have a glimpse at the crime sheet immediately previous to the establishment of the Colonial Constabulary.

On April 26, 1843, thieves entered Government House and made quite a good, haul. Then, to show that they played no favourites, two nights later they broke into three mercantile houses, Dent's, Jardine's and Gillespies..

The

HONGKONG POLICE

·By John Luff –

the Police Force should be given

Should the rendor imagine 1 a fair trial. He therefore passed am drawing conclusions in the the unpopular "Bamboo Or manner of being wise after the dinance (17 of 1844) prohibiiing event, I turn back the pages of the beating of bomboo drums ancient records which have re- throughout the night which posed in the dust of a century, warned the would-be robbers and suddenly they sparkle

Three weeks later the Morrison Institute was. that the watch was wide awake. life. plundered.

Emboldened with success they made sure no one's life was now worth a fig. The sum of South China descended upon flongkong and there was just nothing that could be done about it.

British Law - with a ende ridiculously merciful when cam- rared with the criminal code there robbers were used 10 - held no terrors nil.

The English and Indian police were useless. They could nol speak the language, and being

Initiative and without

otten literate, they were a lability and earned the Police Force a dublous

widch reputation found hard to rast off,

"Luk Yee"

it

to

breame. The town certainly

The following is a letter ad- much quieter, and tlils united the dressed to the newspapers due- thieves, Highway robburles Le- ing the early years of Governor came daily occurrences; Govern- Bonham's appointment, Just, in ment House was robbed again fact,, when things were thought (July 18, 1844) and the Governor to be looking up. leat quite a dent of personal pro-

perty.

The altuation is best summed up in the Police Magistrate'n warning issued on August 25. 1840, a notice warning residents not to roam beyond the town's limits, unless they were armed. In 1847, the European residents were ordered to from their suspend lanterns doorways

the to supplement inadequate street fighting sup- piled by Authority, but this was not much help

The Force na dressed in dark; blue uniforms, and the Chinese community inmediately dubbed the Luk Yee, which means of Hongkong back

Blue Dress.

Major Caine flogged them, hul the smartings were sean foot- le, and as soon as they were releases, they were their old ways.

to

Prison was a godsend, situated as it was in the healthiest part of Hongkong. and with two good ments throws in every day.

·

Madness

No European's life was safe. To venture abroad without loaded pistol was madness, utid no one was foolish crough to go to bed without first placing a londed pistol under his pillow.

The principal merchants kept armed men in their employ, Jardine. Matheson & Co. fur instance employed 12 such guar- dians at the cost of 200 a month.

With the Police Force unable to do much, and priveto watch- men equally unreliable, it was obvious that something must be

The truth of the matter is this; done, otherwise the Colony might

Force the Pollec

possessed as well be handed over to the neither the training nor the unlawful elements who were duity swelling the ranks of the moral tone necessary to permit

established criminal the execution of their duty. airoady

Nor was Charles May helped Ordinance No. 12 of 1044 is by criticism from home. Dr to the establishment Howring, soon to become a very addressed and regulation of the Police

unpopular Governor himself, Force in the Colony and, follow asked In the House of Commons ing this, Superintendent Charles what was happening in Hong- May of the London Metropolitan kong when 54 Doggings took Police Force arrived in the place in one day. Colony on February 28, 1845..

class,

Charles May lost no time in reorganising the Police Force, tarze but as most of the criminal class The

the reason for

the inck of private forces employed by the were Chinese, mercantile houses was that the knowledge of local dialects was merchants had no confidence in an immediate obstacle, and so it or the Police Force he remained for many years.

Calne

kad formed,

On the other hand, there is the old saying, "you can't make

silk purse out of a sow's ear."

The merchants were willing to back a Police Force but, rightly asked: Where do you go! your force from?

The type of man required was not available, and the pittance offered at wages was ridiculous, So the first policemen were made up of discharged English and Indian soldiers, and such Chinese who were willing to ac- cept service with the Europeans. Or the latter, I have written elsewhere; inoxt of them joined the police on the instructions of their pirate masters, and were able to send intelligence reports of police movements,

A warning

Europeans were recruited to the Police Force from the Army, and were pensionable after only ten years service, with pensions equal to half pay.

Seamen waiting for ships were temporarily employed with the Force. The fact of the matter, was, this arrangement was une- less. The Chinese constables were openly in

In England, they either could not, or would not prasp the fact that Hongkong had become the criminal resort for Southern China; any more than today your Johnny Newcome, or your tourist appreciates that the anti- social elementa who have fled the new regime in China have the genuine Te- mingled with jupees.

Government tried deportation, but that failed, as it made it too easy for the criminals to escape, ocension vessels Were turned into "pirate

und an seized and ships.

An increase

Things looked up a bit during

to

Jongue with the Governor Bonhun's regime, but criminal elements, and the Euro- in 1850, the Taiping Robellier. pean members of the Force were broke out, and under the patrio- either brought into the deals, or tic facade of aiding the revolu- lacking any knowledge of what tionists turn the Tartars off the throne, the Triad was going on, stood aside help- Dragon less,

Soeloties plundered, and when However, Major - General they made things too hot for

retreated D'Aguilar, while deling as Lieu- themselves, they tenant Governor during the Hongkong absence of Sir J. Davis, felt that, A Volunteer Corps was found.

ed,

auxiliary Police and an Force of 78 men was instituted. Bul against the huge increase of the criminal classes, and the Increasing audacity of the loot- ing excursions, the police were useless; and realising that, be- came absolutely demoralised.

Mid Week Selection

by Friell

FOREIGN LEGION

Recruite

"Are you sure this is the most French solution?"

EGYPTIAN and

ISRATU TROOF!

"Just a routine check-up, Have either of you heard from the British Foreign Office during the last

fortnight."

I WILL HAVE

{AFRICANS)

MAIN SAY: MATRAD

"This fellow.McLeod, is ho any relation to that

fellow M'Boya?”

£

"Sin The great frequency and the daring nature of the rob- beries which have been com- nuitted of Jate, create suspicion that the means which are at present used to prevent and to detect crime are un- suited to the place and the character of the people.

"A robber, who can, in the most frequented thoroughfare, effect an entry to a house by break- thick ing a hole through a wall, evinces, either that w possesses superhuman experl- ness, or that the police are unusually negligent.

Praise ?

"We know that even with the acknowledged skill and watch- like that fulness of a police,

robberies of London,

und crimes are committed and I admit that no human vigilance can be so perfect us to prevent every robbery, or to detect every thief; It is nevertheless, a good axiom: Juder damna- tur cum nocens absolvitur, and the police force in Hongkong certainly rest under the im- putation of insuffleiency, when it is known thot very

Low rubberies are prevented by very their interference, and few criminals are detected. "A polico cystem is not, how- aver, perfected by the appoint- ment of a certain number of human beings with letters and cyphers on their collars, and glazed oil-skin on the crown of their caps. The Superinten- dent of the Hongkong Police, I believe to be in tact, ability, and energy, eminently quoted for the situation he holds; In Mr Caldwell, with his peculiar and admirable attainments, he has

adjutant. a powerful (The writer must have been referring to Caldwell's fluency

the in speaking

Cantonese dialect) but my praise must slop with them; the material and sources of the Zorce are as objectionable as they can be.

DETACHMENT of Indian Police some of the 410 serving in 1907 with the Colony's Police Fore. In an attempt

to raise the standards of the Force, India became a recruiting ground for the H.K. Police.

Chinese population of Hong- kong were abounding in sub- missiveness and high moral rectitude. "The municipal regulations are, likewise, defective, and are 10 the fabled more suited elegance Pompel than a city of piratey. Nuisances are permitted in the streets of Hongkong which would sully the reputation of the 'Bumble' of the smallest village in the United Kingdom. The lives of persons, · rid- ing or driving, are endan gered by the projection of 'crackers' from windows, or by the long chains of empty casks running wild down the sleep doclivities of the streets. For these evils, the only remedy is to identify, not the places and

from occasions when the nuisance proceeded. but the crafty perpetrator, bealdes 'possessing a who sufficient number of atlases 10 puzzle the sharp cognisance of the veriest 'Sampson Brass," in the wholo of London. carries a visage which only in dicates his celestial origin, and escapes Into the hills, or the harbour very long before our ubiquitous police can be found.

"The laws, also, instead of being..

the hablis of on modifed to insubordinate people, are too often, with a fastidious dread of Inhumanity un ane hand, and an overbearing perversity on the other, stretched in the direction of refinement and fatitudinarianist,

If the

as

of our "As to the institution of a May managed to sick the job. ment. The corners streets are thronged by idlers curfew in the Colony of Hong- He was criticised always, and if without any legitimate means kong, we must likewise take ex- not he, his force. and our ception to it. Having some vested subsistence, thoroughfares are choked by interests in its prosperity, we are the same class. Thus the eyes not disposed to drive avery unlawful scoundrel Chinese, except the rogues and

of

of some

are forever

un vagabonds, out of it. upon some

Buch suspeeling European.

"Scrutator's letter la evils would never be permitted

very

Available

Right from those carly days originates that ridiculous class distlætion that lingered bard up

in any village in England of well written, but we foar he to World War 11.

the most bucolic and qualed tendencies.

anli-

"I would be the last to advise any needless curtailment of liberty, I have a high moral antipathy to the very idea of Curlow etc, but the subject is a very grave one, and demands immediate attention.

"I nr. Mr Editor. your very obedient servant, Scrutator. "Victoria, 2nd April, 1843,"

Curfew

does not take sufficient account of the consequences of his pro- positions."

Looking ni it objectively, T find it easy to see where the early Police Force falled,

First, the type of mon requir- ed was not available.

But Hongkong has always had that tendency to take the law into its own hands, or interpret

Second, the rates of pay offer- rules and regulations ne seme ed were ludicrous. Rich bribes the other fellow to were easily obtained, no wonder thing for carry out. as. letter to the press then that the police, recruited shows:

from the unemployed Geament soldiers and Dear Mr Editor, In your the time expired

some re- the very lowest classes of the lust issue you made marks regarding the neglect of Chinese, cashed in on the job.

Thore was no system of train- the regulation for the Citinese carrying a lantern at night.... Ing, not even for learning the why is It, Mr Editor, that so Cantonese dialect. The foreigners But Serulator received short little attention is paid to lighting in the force were helpless and hopeless when pitted against the ahrift from the Editor of the the town?

Chinese criminal classes, Hongkong Register, who re- "Furthermore, we noticed in plied in an Editorial: "We Stanley Street that only 4 of 10

-Poor Charles Bay bad - Fúsny reilred. agree that the material of our houses were displaying lanterns, headache before be Colonial Police Force is very in spite of the fact that all for as ons writer remarked in Poor, and that their services are foreign householders are order concluding a letter, "Fine Police on the whole defective, though ed so to do, and in spite of the Indeed!" we cannot go the lengths which fact that there have been several deprecating robberies along there recently." Scrutaler docs in them; but as he falls to point

"Yrs. Etc. otil the sources of a more effec- price, "During an investigation into a live force at the same

"Disgusted," robbery, of the most daring we must contess we are unable nature, which took place on to discern it unaided. Friday last, the large com-

A probe

SATURDAY

Law and

Se complaint followed com-

- disorder

pound and out-houses of the "As a substitution of a Euro- plaint. The question that arises Parsee premises in the Holly- pean police, and the consequent in the mind is how Mr Charles wood Road, to which thieves were traced,

the augmentation of our police rate, were one hundred per cent, we confess be occupied by to a selfish weakness when we Chinese of suspicious charac- say that it is utterly out of the ters, without lawful employ question.

found to

FOR ONCE, A WOMAN I'D HATE

has been said about Madame Nicola Milinair that she would have bean Proxidant or at least Primo Minister of France if the gaunt gonorat had not taken over almost everything.

Not that the lady at 38 has any direct experience in poilues, but that may not bo a dis advantage in the drencile politi- eal world of France,

For the moment she is a high- powered TV nim producer, and I know several executives and agents who would rather tussle with a boardroom full of shell-

TO FALL OUT WITH

THE

LGSORLAY

SURLAY

1 think she was referring

hard Madison Av. boys than mainly to her recent TV series,

Madame Milinair.

When necessary abe can be toughly practical and solidly mercenary -

many French wornen ein).

Potent charm

But she can also win friende and Influence people by exercia ing or soft fentrinity potent charms many French

women can.

"Dick and The Duchess," but Jdidn't interrupt to ask. It is not easy to interrupt Madane Miliar

"The important thing is that I've tried, and twill trying.

0.0

"Whatever happens I'll go on working.

I risked a prodiction about her future. I said that, if an when the Duke of Bedford was divorced, she would be able to make a TV series titied

Duchess, role herself.

JETA

She laughed w.shrill, sceptical

COLUMN

YVONNE BUCKINGHAM

-A COURSE AT BAD.

She to a fascinating, amalgam of eatin and high-quality steel- os_many Frenchwomen ans, and the Duchess." Playing tho

For the present and for |reasons), of her own the is not

in "Our Man in Havana,” worldn

But she said: "I'm pinning a laugh and said, "I don't see a film starlet who is par "haps more determined than now TV series which I hope to myself in the rule, make in England. I have

C "Maybe I could take over most to lose that suffix and many wonderful friendly here.

from-General de Gaulle as well" become a star. Hur trionals Include the Duko of Bedford, whom sho calia With respect to the genort, I "Jan" which la un close as her wish she could. The way things At 21 with a low small parts Franco-American accends gelo to, are going perige he does, too. to her credit and a promise of more to come, sho announces that he has decided to go to RADA. 10 Tearn something about acting."

hin first name-Ion,

Sho said: "I havo marry other Two reasons

friends

DITWOR

your titled.

aristoernicy, I ko then people, not so titles,

important 1

What for applause

character and

achievement. What you are und

what you have done..

An almost unprecedented course of action for a starlet, think so deserves a round of [7VONNE BUCKINGHAM, applause,

undulates har. happy about some of the things forse before Alex Guinness what all little certos do

The other night she was doing.

"I ginnt confuse I'm not too

it hâvo doon.”

attending a film premiere. But she succeded in appearing with prize escort, Mr Dominic Elliot, friend and escort of Princess Margaret.

1

More applause, please.

Two reasons

for

revenge

Dishcloth-and-plaster

hoax wins top

prize in art show

1

- Ottawa. HARLIE CARRON, 21, third-year arts student

CH

at the University of Ottawa, hates modern abstract art. So he decided to ridicule it and, under the name of Ascanio Merkes did three of what the thought were the worst possible type of modern paintings. One of them won a first prize:

It consisted among other things, of buttons, toothpaste tubes with their respective leaps strewn haphazardly over dial and the canvas, a tuning

and painted

THE programme for the an old cigarette package, all em-

all-coloured show,bedded in plaster

"Harlem Heatwave," which over with

paints. oponed at the Pigalle re- cently, carries on the main spread a musical notation motif.

It had been sent back to tho printers twice before the pros ducers were satisfied.

Now if you set the programme 07. a

a galaxy of bright

TALKING

POINTS

The picture's anatomy con-

A woman who has made Aleted of a dishcloth soaked in

blus paint "to make it stick to fun of her husband cannot

love him.

the canvas."

Two hours

clown, The

BALZAC

-GEORGE KENNAN.

*

At that stage, Charlie.. said, Herolam, the Caucasian stand er played the musical motit out would come ho dealdad to make it plemountaineers, say, la en the "Colonel Bogey March" ture of a circus Which, as you know, has rudo face, about the same size as durance for one moment

the rest of the body, was a huge more.. lyrics.

Fob of plaster painted vivid So the printers have taken yellow. the revenge.

Look ma about two; As I've lammed from billed hours to slap together and

I We have all been mad experlonu, never argue with tried to make it as disgusting the printers.

aesthetic once. ¡.

MANTUANLIS, Incidentally, the show itself us possible

this would have happened," in an exhilarating study in fuk, point of view. I never thought Lawn-shaled, movement.

Fear will driva mon... to male-fawn bodice draped in Charlie added.

And the judge, Alan Jarvis, any extreme. logitimte. Kulia has

director of Canada's

—BERNARD SIŁAW. frown upon by mơm Botilahi retired

Art Gallery Ind crica I liked its gay Erantic Nailonal

*** Irreverence.

how editor of Canadian Art

hoax was Bald after the

The

been

1 malos no apologies for the

from an

He that counts all costs

fact that. I suggested the finale posed: xavo it n prize for will never put plough to Son to the produsers. As Soot I sitken the fight to be hot for write value."

irreverent about the Boote.

D

ta nmurowat value

"--(London Express Marston),

earth.

JOHN BAY.

SfLondon Express Hervieu),