CO129-114 - MacDonnell - 1866 [7-8] — Page 539

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

Gambling

Clearly to the hands of the Government in dealing with the damage of dishonesty. And it is, I think, obvious that an interest in fostering a vice, when all efforts, as far as the Government can, might be in the direction of checking it.

So much has been written on this point that I do not suggest the time of day debating it.

The 15th clause needs alteration so far as the branding and flogging penalties are concerned. Branding can only be justified in some very rare cases, where it is of real importance to be able to identify the criminal.

The flogging of gambling houses under Government supervision is open and reasonably open to discussion. I do not attach much weight to the argument that such a measure lends the countenance of the State to the practice of gambling. The real danger is that the local Government may take advantage of it as a matter of revenue. This has to be guarded against. I therefore am disposed to allow the Government to bring the Ordinance into operation in the manner proposed by His Excellency the Governor.

It will be right to indicate the principle upon which I give this permission, that it is not one of indifference to the evils of gambling in the Colony, but that having regard to the extreme radical and demoralizing effects it has on the rating Community brought under notice, and that finding the treatment authorities under the present system...

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2026-05-19 11:17:01 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
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Gambling Clearly to the hands of the Government in dealing with the damage of dishonesty. And it is, I think, obvious that an interest in fostering a vice, when all efforts, as far as the Government can, might be in the direction of checking it. So much has been written on this point that I do not suggest the time of day debating it. The 15th clause needs alteration so far as the branding and flogging penalties are concerned. Branding can only be justified in some very rare cases, where it is of real importance to be able to identify the criminal. The flogging of gambling houses under Government supervision is open and reasonably open to discussion. I do not attach much weight to the argument that such a measure lends the countenance of the State to the practice of gambling. The real danger is that the local Government may take advantage of it as a matter of revenue. This has to be guarded against. I therefore am disposed to allow the Government to bring the Ordinance into operation in the manner proposed by His Excellency the Governor. It will be right to indicate the principle upon which I give this permission, that it is not one of indifference to the evils of gambling in the Colony, but that having regard to the extreme radical and demoralizing effects it has on the rating Community brought under notice, and that finding the treatment authorities under the present system...
Baseline (Original)
& ثيوة Gambling t. Sab-a it W. Clearly to th hands of Gost the in dealing with the Llew amage of disrehabethecht, And beann it is I think objectual the an intenst in to fostering of a vine, when all De offerts, an por as the go, night It the diction. thia Im So much in aith to he mitten defend, n worn outlin on this point _ that I do no mfgest the time of day desbalch M. = 534 The 15 clause needs abhiation so que a, the branding & flogging henalties au concerned. Branding can only be justified in some way rare care, whire it is of real comportance to be able to identify the but as a punishment. I do not think it is sanctioned. Zucc criminal. The flaving gambling houses under Goo? supervision. is open and reasonably open & dyution. I do not attach much weight to the auf. that such a measure lends the countiname of the State to the practice of gambling. The val danger is that the local Goo! (ind this advantage in it as a matter of revenue.. This homines he guarded against. I thine fore am dispored & allow the God. titring the Ordiname int operation in the mannu Moposed by hi F. Ragen. may to It will be right. It indicate the principle upon which I gine Unause H. MG. this permission, that it is not one indifferent. & the wartime "gambling in the Colony but that having Unahithy; had the extreme rädshif a demoraliza nocker For I the ratin Community brought thin noter and that finding the treat authorities undre the present sythia you
2026-05-19 11:17:01 · Baseline
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&

ثيوة

Gambling

t. Sab-a it

W. Clearly to th hands of

Gost

the

in dealing with the

Llew

amage of disrehabethecht, And beann it is I think objectual

the

an intenst in

to fostering of a vine, when all

De offerts, an por as the go, night It the diction.

thia

Im

So much in

aith to he mitten defend,

n

worn outlin

on this point _ that I do no mfgest the time of day desbalch

M.

=

534

The 15 clause needs abhiation so que a, the branding & flogging henalties au concerned. Branding can only be justified in some way rare care, whire it is of real comportance to be able to identify the but as a punishment. I do not think it is sanctioned.

Zucc

criminal.

The flaving gambling houses under Goo? supervision.

is open and reasonably open & dyution. I do not attach much weight to the auf. that such a measure lends the countiname of the State to the practice of gambling. The val danger is that the local Goo! (ind this advantage in it as a matter of revenue.. This homines

he guarded against. I thine fore am dispored & allow the God. titring the Ordiname int operation in the mannu Moposed by hi F. Ragen.

may

to

It will be right. It indicate the principle upon

which I

gine

Unause H. MG.

this permission, that it is not

one indifferent. & the wartime "gambling in the Colony but that having Unahithy; had the extreme rädshif a demoraliza

nocker

For I the ratin Community brought thin noter and that finding the treat authorities undre the present sythia you

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