CO129-006 - Sir John Davis - 1844 — Page 113

111

o

apprehended, and four hinva circumstantial account was received of sinction others of whom some are now under examinatione by the Chinese authorities on the mainland where they resided with a view to their condign punishment,

A

a

The attempt to regulate and restraive the Chinese population by European Plice is attended with,

great dificulters - The ignorance of their language, - their customs, and their persons, gives an insuperable advantage to the - vicious part of the population: and, it becomes,

1 of patriotic. combination against the rule of the foreigner. I was accordingly led to the - conclusion that, the Chinese in towns

moveover, a sort

and tillages would be best beally governed by their over systems, consisting precisely Tthings and Hundreds superintended by

most.

by Ithingmen and Hundreders. This species of self government will be the anoch grateful to the people, as well as the most efficient. in its result, and at the same time entail no charge on the Colonial

as

funds,

the offices are elective and honorary "With the views above stated. I

for

proposed to the Legislative Council the "Ordinance No: 13" for the appointment and regulation of native Chines Peace Officers (houchong and Tanken) within the Colony of Hongkong" this has already her passed into a Law =

Your Lordship will observe that, the Chinese Officers,

are

but

to be elected by the inhabitants according to custom, subject to the approval of the governor. They are to conform to any Rules and Regulations which may be prescribed by the Chief Magistrate of Police ; and to

Receive