CO129-012 - Sir John Davis - 1845 [5-7] — Page 311

in the harbour speedily attracted a considerable boat population, and the profits accruing from the supply of provisions and mcessares at mice paised

many from poverty and infang to

considerable wealth. The shelter and

protection afforded by the presence of

she fleet,

soon made our shores in

resort of outlaws, opium smugglers

and indeed of all persons who having

rendered themselves obnoxious to the

1

Chinese laws, had the means of reaping hither. In

se of lime the demand

course

for labour, for the public and other works, drew some thousands to the island, the majority of whom were Hack Ka or gipsies ; people whose habits, character and language mark them as a distinct race . Careless of the ties of home and theve moral obligations, the observance of

which

6e of Dr Gill

Fearon's health

Certificate the State

336

which is decived absolutely necessary to the preservation of the national Integrity; uneasy under the pestraint of law and unscrupulous of the by which they live, they abandon

moans

without hesitation their hearths and

household

gods,

their birthright and their fathers tombs to wander, unrespected,

whither gain may

call. The unsettled

state of the Colorry, and the vast amount. of crime during its infancy afford abundant proof of the demoralizing effects of their presence.

Some of our principal lanishiter and tradesmen have spring from these classes . Imay instance, the person Kroon

the most influential

as Akwae now.

and wealthy of the native residents = formerly an obscure bum batman.

-

In later days Hongthing has ben

infested.

1