CO129-005 - Sir Henry Pottinger - 1844 — Page 79

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

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receive some instructions shortly and possibly some assistance from England relative to it; but in the mean while the matter is so urgent that it cannot be delayed.

I regret to say that in spite of all the arrangements and precautions that have hitherto been made and taken, such is the expertness and daring of the lower classes of the already immense Chinese population, thefts and robberies are of frequent occurrence on this Island.

The employment of Chinese Sober Men would seem at first sight to offer a ready remedy for this state of affairs, but it has been tried and found to be almost altogether futile, and I am now satisfied that the formation of a regular Police Corps, to be composed of Europeans and perhaps Malays, will be in the end indispensably requisite for the safety and well-being of this Colony.

Our System of punishment is extremely lenient when compared with that of the Government of China, and it has operated strongly against every measure that has hitherto been adopted to repress crimes of the nature to which this Despatch immediately refers. In addition to enforcing the plan of registry combined with mutual responsibility and security amongst all Chinese residing in the Colony (to which I advert in my Minute), I think it will be necessary to increase the powers of the Magistrates, and to authorise them to proceed with greater severity against all offenders.

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By by receive some instructions shortly and possibly some assistance from England relative to it; but in the mean while the matter is so urgent that it cannot be delayed. I regret to say that in spite of all the arrangements and precautions that have hitherto been made and taken, such is the expertness and daring of the lower classes of the already immense Chinese population, thefts and robberies are of frequent occurrence on this Island. The employment of Chinese Sober Men would seem at first sight to offer a ready remedy for this state of affairs, but it has been tried and found to be almost altogether futile, and I am now satisfied that the formation of a regular Police Corps, to be composed of Europeans and perhaps Malays, will be in the end indispensably requisite for the safety and well-being of this Colony. Our System of punishment is extremely lenient when compared with that of the Government of China, and it has operated strongly against every measure that has hitherto been adopted to repress crimes of the nature to which this Despatch immediately refers. In addition to enforcing the plan of registry combined with mutual responsibility and security amongst all Chinese residing in the Colony (to which I advert in my Minute), I think it will be necessary to increase the powers of the Magistrates, and to authorise them to proceed with greater severity against all offenders.
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by by receive Jome instruations- shortly and passibly Some assistance from England - relative to it; but in the mean while the matter is so that it cannot be delayed. regret to Jay! A4 prossing I. that in spite of all the arrangements and precautions that have hitherto been made and taken:_ such is the expertness and daring of the lower classes of the already immense Chinese population. thefts and robberies are- occurren@l_ on- this Island, that of frequent The employment of Chinese Sobiee. Men would seem seem at at first sight, to offer a ready remedy for this state- of affairs, but it has been tried- and found to be almost altogether futile, and I an Now satisfied that the formation of a regular Police Police Corps to be composed of. Europeans and perhaps Malays, will be in the end indispensably requisite - for the eafely and woll bring of this felony. extremely Our System of punishment is so lenient when com; compared. with. that of. the Government of China, that it has operated. strongly against every we measure that has hitherto been adopted. to repress of the nature _ to which this Desfatale immediately refers, and.. in addition to Enforcing the plan of registry Crimes combined with mutical. responsibility and security amongst all Chinese residi rosiding in the Colony (to which I advent in my Minule ) I think - it will be necessary to increase the powers of the Magistrates, and to authoring... them to proceed with greater severity against all... offenders.
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by by

receive Jome instruations-

shortly and passibly

Some

assistance from

England - relative to it; but in the

mean while the matter is so

that it cannot be delayed.

regret

to

Jay!

A4

prossing

I.

that in spite of all

the arrangements and precautions that

have hitherto been made and taken:_

such is the expertness and daring of the lower classes of the already immense Chinese population. thefts and robberies are-

occurren@l_

on-

this Island, that

of frequent

The employment of Chinese Sobiee.

Men would seem

seem at

at first sight, to offer a ready remedy for this state- of affairs, but it has been tried- and found to be almost altogether futile, and I

an

Now

satisfied

that the formation of a regular

Police

Police Corps to be composed of. Europeans and perhaps Malays, will be in the end indispensably requisite - for the eafely and woll bring of this felony.

extremely

Our

System of punishment is so

lenient when com;

compared. with.

that of. the Government of China, that it has operated. strongly against every we measure that has hitherto been adopted. to repress of the nature _ to which this Desfatale immediately refers, and.. in addition to Enforcing the plan of

registry

Crimes

combined with mutical.

responsibility and security amongst

all Chinese residi

rosiding

in the Colony (to

which I advent in my Minule ) I think -

it will be necessary

to increase the

powers of the Magistrates, and to

authoring...

them to proceed with

greater severity against all...

offenders.

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