368
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When the money was paid, Tong Kwong-sin, Lum Shap-lok. Nobody came after the sentence to the Pawn-shop that I know of to speak of getting a pardon. I have Ayeen, myself, and Ch'o On were present. The money was paid into Ch'o On's hand, and he paid it to Shap-lok. I only have a small share in the firm. $200 was paid to Mr Gaskell, I do not know of any other money being paid; I have not seen any money paid; Low Sing-keet the manager of the shop, knows. Low Sing-keet gave the $200 to me, and I went with Wong Ashing and paid the Money to Mr Gaskell at his office. I was never present at the payment of any other money, but I know that money was paid for feasts and trouble in connection with the matter. I never saw $800 paid to a woman, but I saw a bill made out showing disbursements to that amount. I do not know to whom it was paid: some of it was in feasting, some to buy shoes and cakes for presents. I did not see the money paid, and do not know if it was promised to be paid before it was paid. Low Sing-keet said money was to be paid to lawyers and others, I was not responsible for it. I did not make myself responsible to Mr Caldwell for that or any other sum.
I do not know a female called Shap-lok. I have been treasury comprador 14 years. Wo-hang is a partner in the Pawn-broker's shop. I did not see anyone ask Wo-hang to pay his share of the Money. There are entries in the account of the money expended, but it only states how much has been expended on the case of the watch being pawned by mistake.
I do not know if Mrs Caldwell has a sister by blood or adoption; I never go to Tai-ping Shan, and do not know about that matter.
LOW SING-KEET,—Called and examined.
I was managing shopman and have a share in the Foo-T'ai pawnbroker's firm. I recollect one of my partners being convicted of having received a stolen Gold Watch. After his conviction, I was engaged in getting some seals put to the petition for his pardon. Shap-lok, a female, came to the shop when Ch'o On was present. She told Ch'o On to ask people to save the prisoner, and also that if the affairs should be completed, shoe-money, i.e., a present, should be given to Shap-lok. She spoke to Ch'o On, and I heard from Ch'o On that the sum of $450 was to be paid to her by him. When the conversation took place, I was not at home, but was sent for and told of it by Ch'o On, who said that Shap-lok was able to perform the business; and that $450 would have to be paid her. I do not know what was to be done for it. Ch'o On said that it was to be paid when my partner's business was settled. This was after the conviction, but I cannot recollect exactly when. The money was paid after the conversation; I was present and handed the money over to Ch'o On. It was paid, $400 in Bank Notes, and $50 in Silver. I do not know what Shap-lok was to do with the $450, and do not know how she was to perform this business; it was Ch'o On who spoke to her. Ch'o On was security for the amount but only by promise.
Wo-hang is a partner in the firm, and he was asked to pay a share. I went to inform him, and his relation also informed him. He did not say anything; he was busy at the time. I did not ask him to sign a paper promising to pay.
I did not hear my partner say anything about $800 to be given to Shap-lok; he only spoke of $450. I do not know why this woman was able to do anything in the matter. I was ordered by Ch'o On, who has a large share in the business, to pay the money.
There were other persons present who saw me hand the money over to Ch'o On; I have no doubt of it. There is probably an entry of this payment in the books. I left at that time, and a person named Lum took my place.
CHARLES MAY,—Recalled.
I produce the charge sheet in the case of Beaver, also that in the case of Boggs. [In the charge sheet 23d October, 1857, there is an entry,—"Henry Beaver, barkeeper at the Commercial Hotel, being charged by Mr Caldwell with confederating with pirates; a paper mentioned as found upon his person; the charge was taken by John Roberts and was brought before Mr May as Acting Assistant Magistrate, by whom he was remanded for re-examination on the 31st, and was to be admitted to bail, such bail to consist of two house-holders in £100 each,”]
It will be in the recollection of the Committee that at the beginning of the inquiry, reference was made to the Sunon Wo and to Mr Caldwell paying some amount of ground rent into the Colonial Treasury on account of marine lot 33 D, the receipt mentioning from the Sunon Wo. I know that the Sunon Wo is a house belonging to the Sunon people, bought out of the public funds of the Sunon people, and that this house was in the hands of Ma-chow Wong as the head in Hongkong of the Sunon people. Owing to the increased value of house property in that neighbourhood, it has of late years been of great value. I have heard within the last two or three months that there has been a dispute between the Elders of the Sunon people and Ma-chow Wong concerning this property, and that placards have been posted up on the subject.
I mean by the Sunon people the residents of Hongkong coming from that district, chiefly the poor class, fishing and boat people. Many of them are fishermen employed in the markets. I have always been led to consider them as some of the worst people here. I do not know of any ruler of them in Sunon. Ma-chow Wong is the only person I know of who has had any concern with them here.
Examined with reference to charge 18 and 19. Some six or seven years back, perhaps, Mr Caldwell mentioned to me, amongst other circumstances of his early career, that when at Singapore he was a member of a Secret Society. I do not know whether it was Malay or Chinese. The conversation was about the power of the Secret Societies at Singapore. More was said on the point,
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but I forget everything but the particular fact of Mr Caldwell telling me of the circumstance.
With reference to charge 19: Upon another occasion, I should fancy three or four years ago, Mr Caldwell mentioned to me that if he did not receive presents with his own hands, he should not object to his wife receiving them. I said that it would be considered the same if discovered whether he took them or whether his wife took them. His reply was to the effect—with a significant laugh, "I should like to know how anyone could find it out." I mentioned these circumstances to the Hon'ble the Attorney General in this wise: After the passing of the Registration Ordinance in the present year, the Attorney General told me that he had inserted a clause in the Ordinance preventing any Government servants or their families from participating in any benefits arising from the Ordinance. That part of the clause which referred to the families had been strongly objected to by His Excellency the Governor, and that the Attorney General's reply was, "what a Government servant may not do with his own hand, it is possible he may do with his wife's." I replied “it is a singular illustration of what you state—that Mr Caldwell told me that he would not object to his wife's receiving presents." The part which refers to the Secret Society at Singapore I mentioned at some subsequent date, because the Attorney General told me that when he made allusion to the repute or antecedents of Mr Caldwell, he met with violent opposition and assertions of Mr Caldwell's entire innocence from the Hon'ble the Acting Colonial Secretary.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL,—Recalled at his own request.
According to Ordinances 1 and 12 of 1845, which are still unrepealed, Mr May is perfectly correct as to the duty of himself and Mr Caldwell of putting down all Secret Societies, impracticable as that duty may be. If the Commission really wish to know from a better authority than Mr May what are the laws of the Triad Society, I can refer them to the document itself.
I presume this so-called charge (18) refers to what I said in debate on the 10th May in the Legislative Council, when challenged by Dr Bridges to explain my allusion to Mr Caldwell's antecedents before his Chinese career began. I said his own account of them as given to Mr May was, that he had been a member of a Secret Society, and, as I understood, amongst the Chinese at Singapore. I know that all Secret Societies amongst the Chinese at Singapore, and any connection with such are illegal by law of Singapore, for I have read it—eternal hostility to all foreigners, Tartars included, being at the bottom of them.
With regard to the other charge (19), I confirm Mr May's statement as to the way in which the conversation began, only observing, that it was apropos of the Opium Farm Ordinance then in Committee. I had heard so much of the connection subsisting between the Caldwell family and the markets and the passage and harbour boats, and particularly a scheme for a monopoly of the former, which had been projected in 1857, but which I had been mainly instrumental in preventing from taking effect, that I was determined to prevent, if I could, any of the family or their people from having anything to do with that tremendous machinery which the new Opium Farm Ordinance was about to bring into play, and I therefore moved the disqualifying clause. Great opposition was made to the words, “wife and family” by the Acting Colonial Secretary, and then it was I made the observation to which Mr May has to-day referred, and which seemed to satisfy the Legislative Council, viz., that in this Colony oppression and corruptions were tolerated in the Chinese wife, which could not be ventured with impunity by the European husband. That clause has been since adopted in at least three ordinances subsequently passed. I gave ready credit to Mr May's statement of Mr Caldwell's words, and the rather because of this circumstance: Having twice experienced the indignity of an offer of a bribe as Attorney General, since my arrival, once personally by a Chinaman who spoke English, and once through my Comprador, by a Chinaman who could not speak English, I took effectual measures to prevent a recurrence, and I had the entire sanction of the Chief Justice for the course I took in the first case, and no doubt should have obtained the same sanction...
sas
368
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When the money was paid, Tong Kwong-sin, Lum Shap-lok. Nobody came after the sentence to the Pawn- shop that I know of to speak of getting a pardon. I have Ayeen, myself, and Ch'o On were present. The money was paid into Ch,o On's hand, and he paid it to Shaplok. I only a small share in the firm. $200 was paid to Mr Gas- kell, I do not know of any other money being paid; I have do not know Shaplok, nor where she lives, nor what her not seen any money paid; Low Sing-keet the manager of occupation is. I have not heard what she is, nor to whom the shop, knows. Low Sing-keet gave the $200 to me, and she is related, Besides the $450, there was money paid to I went with Wong Ashing and paid the Money .o Mr Gas Lawyers; I do not recollect how much; it was paid through kell at his office. I was never present at the payment of Ch'o On. Mr Gaskell was lawyer; I did not accompany
any other money, but I know that money was paid for feasts and trouble in connection with the matter.I never saw $800 paid to a woman, but I saw a bill made out shewing dis-
bursments to that amount. I do not know to whom it was paid: some of it was in feasting, some to buy shoes and cakes for presents. I did not see the money paid, and do not know if it was promised to be paid before it was paid. Low Singkeet said money was to be paid to lawyers and others, I was not responsible for it. I did not make my self responsible to Mr Caldewll for that or any other sum.
I do not know a female called Shaplok. I have been treasury comprador 14 years. Wo-hang is a partner in the Pawn-broker's shop. I did not see any one ask Wo-hang to pay his share of the Money. There are entries in the account of the money expended, but it only states how much has been expended on the case of the watch being
pawned by mistake.
1 do not know if Mrs Caldwell has a sister by blood or adoption; I never go to Tai-ping Shan, and do not know
about that matter.
LOW SING-KEET,-Called and examined.
I was managing shopman and have a share in the Foo- T'ai pawnbroker's firm. I recollect one of my partners being convicted of having received a stolen Gold Watch. After his conviction I was engaged in getting some seals put to the petition for his pardon. Shap-lok a female came to the shop when Ch'o On was present. She told Ch'o On to ask people to save the prisoner, and also that if the affairs should be completed, shoe-money, i.e. a present, should be given to Shap-lok. She spoke to Ch'o On, and I heard from Cho On that the the sum of $450 was to be paid to her by him. When the conversation took place, I was not at home, but was sent for and told of it by Ch'o On who said that Shap-lok was able to perform the business; and that $450 wonld have to be paid her. I do not know what was to be done for it. Cho On said that it was to be paid when my partner's business was settled. This was after the conviction, but I cannot recollect exactly when. The money was paid after the conversation; I was present and handed the money over to Cho On. It was paid, $400 in Bank Notes, and $50 in Silver. I do not know what Shap-lok was to do with the $450, and do not know how she was to perform this business; it was Ch'o On who spoke to her. Ch'o On was security for the amount but only by promise.
Wohang is a partner in the firm, and he was asked to pay a share. I went to inform him, and his relation also informed him. He did not say anything he was busy at the time. I did not ask him to sign a paper promising to
pay
Cho On to make the payment to him.
I did not hear my partner say anything about $800 to be given to Shaplok, he only spoke of $400. I do not know why this woman was able to do anything in the
matter. I was ordered by Ch'o On who has a large share in the business, to pay the money.
There were other persons present who saw me hand the
money over to Ch'o On; I have no doubt of it. There is probably an entry of this payment in the books. I left at that time, and a person named Lum took my place.
CHARLES MAY,—Recalled.
I produce the charge sheet in the case of Beaver, also that in the case of Boggs. [In the charge sheet 23d Octo- ber, 1857, there is an entry,-"Henry Beaver, barkeeper at the Commercial Hotel, being charged by Mr Caldwell
with confederating with pirates; a paper mentioned as found upon his person; the charge was taken by John
Roberts and was brought before Mr May as Acting Assitant Magistrate, by whom he was remanded for re-examination on the 31st, and was to be admitted to bail, such bail to consist of two house-holders in £100 each,”]
It will be in the recollection of the Committee that at the begining of the inquiry, reference was made to the Sunon Wo and to Mr Caldwell paying some amount of ground rent into the Colonial Treasury on account of ma- rine lot 33 D, the receipt mentioning from the Sunon Wo. 1 know that the Sunon Wo is a house belonging to the Sunon people, bought out of the public funds of the Sunon people, and that this house was in the hands of Ma-chow Wong as the head in Hongkong of the Sunon people. Owing to the increased value of house property in that neighbourhood, it has of late years been of great value. I have heard within the last two or three months that there has been a dispute between the Elders of the Sunon people and Ma-chow Wong concerning this property, and that placards have been posted up on the subject.
I mean by the Sunon people the residents of Hongkong coming from that district, chiefly the poor class, fishing and boat people. Many of them are fishermen employed in the markets. I have always been led to cousider them as some of the worst people here. I do not know of any ruler of them in Sunon. Ma-chow Wong is the only person I know of who has had any concern with them here.
Examined with reference to charge 18 and 19. Some six or seven years back, perhaps, Mr Caldwell mentioned to me, amongst other circumstances of his early career, that when at Singapore he was a member of a Secret Society. I do not know whether it was Malay or Chinese. The conversation was about the power of the Secret Societies at Singapore. More was said on the point,
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but I forget everything but the particular fact of Mr Cald- one referring to the Opium Farm Ordinance of this year, well telling me of the circumstance.
With reference to charge 19: Upon another occasion, I should fancy three or four years ago, Mr Caldwell mention- ed to me that if he did not receive presents with his own hands he should not object to his wife receiving them. I said that it would be considered the same if discovered whether he took them or whether his wife took them. His reply was to the effect-with a significant laugh, "I should like to know how any one could find it out." I mentioned these circumstances to the Hon'ble the Attorney General in this wise: After the passing of the Registration Ordinance in the present year, the Attorney General told me that he had inserted a clause in the Ordinance preventing any Go- vernment servants or their families from participating in any benefits arising from the Ordinance. That that part of the clause which referred to the families had been strongly objected to by His Excellency the Governor, and that the Attorney General's reply was, "what a Govern- ment servant may not do with his own hand, it is possible he may do with his wife's." I replied “it is a singular illustration of what you state-that Mr Caldwell told me that he would not object to his wife's receiving presents." The part which refers to the Secret Society at Singapore I mentioned at some subsequent date, because the Attorney
and not to the Registration Ordinance. I am quite certain that I should have hesitated very much in bringing for- ward any inquiry about Mr Caldwell or Ma-chow Wong except upon very strong evidence indeed.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL,-Recalled at his own
request.
According to Ordinances 1 and 12 of 1845, which are still unrepealed, Mr May is perfectly correct as to the duty of himself and Mr Caldwell of putting down all Secret Societies, impracticable as that duty may be. If the Com- mission really wish to know from a better authority than Mr May what are the laws of the Triad Society, I can refer them to the decument itself.
I
this so-called charge (18) refers to what I said presume in debate on the 10th May in the Legislative Council, when challenged by Dr Bridges to explain my allusion to Mr Caldwell's antecedents before his Chinese career began. I said his own account of them as given to Mr May was, that he had been a member of a Secret Society, and, as I understood, amongst the Chinese at Singapore. I know that all Secret Societies amongst the Chinese at Singapore, and any connection with such are illegal by law of Sin- gapore, for I have read it-eternal hostility to all foreigners, Tartars included, being at the bottom of them.
General told me that when he made allusion to the repute With regard to the other charge (19), I confirm Mr May's or antecedents of Mr Caldwell, he met with violent opposi-statement as to the way in which the conversation began, tion and assertions of Mr Caldwell's entire innocence from only observing, that it was apropos of the Opium Farın the Hon'ble the Acting Colonial Secretary.
Ordinance then in Committee. I had heard so much of the Cross-examined, I am not certain about the objects of connection subsisting between the Caldwell family and the the Triad Society. The rules bind the members to aid markets and the passage and harbour boats and particularly each other in obtaining some ends which I am not certain a scheme for a monopoly of the former, which had been about, and to assist each other in carrying out enterprises projected in 1857, but which I had been mainly instrumen- under certain penalties,-these penalties being the loss of tal in preventing from taking effect, that I was determined life by various ways, and that each member is bound to to prevent, if I could, any of the family or their people carry out the verdict of the select of the society against from having anything to do with that tremendous machi- any erring member, even to the extent of destroying his nery which the new Opium Farm Ordinance was about father, mother, child, or any relative. I wish to disclaim to bring into play, and I therefore moved the disqualifying any belief on my part, or any idea, that Mr Caldwell told clause. Great opposition was made to the words, “wife me that he was a member of the Triad Society. I recollect at one time there was a notion that triads were very much to be feared, and to be driven out of the Colony; but the triads never did us any harm, and the feeling against them died away. There may have been a dozen seizures of persons attending triad meetings at Hongkong. Sometimes, they were made by myself, sometimes by Mr Caldwell and sometimes by Mr Inglis. I have heard that the Malays have a Secret Society, but do not know its name.
and family" by the Acting Colonial Secretary, and then it was I made the observation to which Mr May has to-day referred and which seemed to satisfy the Legislative Council, viz., that in this Colony oppression and corrup tions were tolerated in the Chinese wife, which could not be ventured with impunity by the European husband. That clause has been since adopted in at least three ordi- nances subsequently passed. I gave ready credit to Mr May's statement of Mr Caldwell's words, and the rather because of this circumstance: Having twice experienced the indignity of an offer of a bribe as Attorney General, since my arrival, once personally by a Chinaman who spoke English, and once through my Comprador, by a Chinaman who could not speak English, I took effectual measures to prevent a recurrence, and I had the entire sanction of the Chief Justice for the course I took in the first
It is part of my duty and of Mr Caldwell's to put down Triad and all Secret Societies. So far as I have been enabled to judge from residents of Singapore, I believe that there are Secret Societies at Singapore, composed of Chinese and Chinese half breeds, i.e. Klings. It is possible that the conversation with the Hon'ble the Attorney General regarding Mrs Caldwell taking presents may have been case, and no doubt should have obtained the same sanc-
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