CO129-122 - Sir MacDonnell - 1867 [5-6] — Page 27

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

24

although impossible to bring the Charge home to any particular man, I am pretty well certain in my own mind as to who the Culprit are and I can never trust them to that degree which is necessary for thorough efficiency.

The Mischief is now done: to alter the law as to bribery will not wholly cure the evil.

As long as unlicensed, and half the present Men remain in the Force, so long they will contrive means of receiving money undetected, and so long will they be untrustworthy in other matters.

I consider these Gambling houses most detrimental to the morale of the Police Force.

The other principal cause arises from the seizure of a Gambling house in Square Street, in which case several heavy fines were imposed, and which, although appealed against, were confirmed by the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court.

The large amount of money this case cost the Gambling Master, D..., enraged them so much that I am informed they offered $50 to any one who would kill or put out of the way the Lokong who laid the information. This Lokong so feared the consequences that he has absconded, although entitled at the time to about $28 share of rewards and pay due, and it has also influenced other Chinese, as I cannot now without the greatest difficulty obtain such witnesses as I can bring before a magistrate.

The Character of these men would be so indifferent, as to increase the chances of an acquittal.

Considering therefore the general love of Gambling amongst all classes of Chinese, and the daily increasing difficulty of procuring a conviction owing to the knowledge the Chinese have...

# 1

-4-

Edit History

2026-05-19 17:38:40 · NVIDIA / meta/llama-4-maverick-17b-128e-instruct
Live
View comparison
AI Proofread
24 although impossible to bring the Charge home to any particular man, I am pretty well certain in my own mind as to who the Culprit are and I can never trust them to that degree which is necessary for thorough efficiency. The Mischief is now done: to alter the law as to bribery will not wholly cure the evil. As long as unlicensed, and half the present Men remain in the Force, so long they will contrive means of receiving money undetected, and so long will they be untrustworthy in other matters. I consider these Gambling houses most detrimental to the morale of the Police Force. The other principal cause arises from the seizure of a Gambling house in Square Street, in which case several heavy fines were imposed, and which, although appealed against, were confirmed by the Chief Justice at the Supreme Court. The large amount of money this case cost the Gambling Master, D..., enraged them so much that I am informed they offered $50 to any one who would kill or put out of the way the Lokong who laid the information. This Lokong so feared the consequences that he has absconded, although entitled at the time to about $28 share of rewards and pay due, and it has also influenced other Chinese, as I cannot now without the greatest difficulty obtain such witnesses as I can bring before a magistrate. The Character of these men would be so indifferent, as to increase the chances of an acquittal. Considering therefore the general love of Gambling amongst all classes of Chinese, and the daily increasing difficulty of procuring a conviction owing to the knowledge the Chinese have... # 1 -4-
Baseline (Original)
24 although impossible to bring the Charge home to any particular mav. I am pretty well certain m my oin mind as to who the Culprit are and I can never trust them to that degree which is necesary for thorough effreienry The Mischief is now done : to alter the law as to bribery will not wholly cure the evil- As long unliceused, and half the present Men remain in the Force, Fo long they will contive means ofreceiving money undetected - long will they As these houses remain aud so be un- -brewstworthy in other matters. I consider these Gambling houses Most detrimental to the enoral of the Police Force Arises The other principal cause · from the seizure of a Gambling hore in Square Street in which Cazo veveral heavy fines were imposed, and which although appealed against were Confirmès # 1 by the Chief Justice at the Supreme. Court of The large amount money this case cost ki Gambling Master D enraged the them that I am informed they offered 8:50 to any one who would kill or put out of the way the Lokong Noth who laid the information. This lokong 30 feared the consequences that he has absconded, although entitled as the time to about $28 share ofrewards and pay due and it has also influenced Other Chinese, as I cannot now without the greatest difficulty Obtain any such witnesses as I can before a magistrate_ bring and the Character of these meus would be 8c indifferent, as to mercase the chances of an acquittal. Considering therefore the -4- general love of Gambling Obtaining. all classer of Chinese, remongst the daily mercasing difficulty of procuring to the Rr. a conviction Owing knowledge the Chinese have
2026-05-19 17:38:40 · Baseline
View content

24

although impossible to bring the Charge home to any particular mav. I am pretty well certain

m my

oin mind as to who

the Culprit are and I can

never trust them to that degree which is necesary for thorough effreienry

The Mischief is now done :

to alter the law as to bribery

will not wholly cure the evil-

As long unliceused, and half the present Men remain in the Force, Fo long they will contive means ofreceiving money undetected -

long will they

As these houses remain

aud so

be un- -brewstworthy in other matters.

I consider these Gambling houses Most detrimental to the enoral of the Police Force

Arises

The other principal cause

· from the seizure of a Gambling hore in Square Street in which Cazo veveral heavy fines were imposed, and which although appealed against

were Confirmès

#

1

by the Chief Justice at the Supreme.

Court

of

The large amount money this case cost ki Gambling

Master D

enraged

the

them that

I am informed they offered 8:50

to

any one who would kill or

put out of the way the Lokong Noth who laid the information. This lokong 30 feared the consequences that he has absconded, although entitled as the time to about $28 share ofrewards and pay due and it has also influenced Other Chinese, as I cannot now

without the greatest difficulty Obtain any such witnesses as I can

before a magistrate_

bring

and the Character of these

meus

would be 8c indifferent, as to

mercase the chances of an

acquittal.

Considering therefore the

-4-

general love of Gambling Obtaining.

all classer of Chinese,

remongst

the daily mercasing difficulty of

procuring

to the Rr.

a conviction Owing

knowledge the Chinese have

Comments

Approved members can add comments, bookmarks, and private notes.

No comments yet.

Private Research Note

Private notes are available after approval.