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very ordinance ruined, perhaps for life, so far is obtaining employment here was concerned. Indirectly some statistics could be got at with regardtothe working of this ordinance. First, the 7 per cent, must be made from all bets out of which the $250,000 paid to the Government. was supposed to come, now he would like to in- quire what amount of gambling capital must be involved in the affair in order to produce ag profit to the farmer. Tavior had anggested a total profit of nearly $500,000 and this at 7 per cent, would produce over $7.000.000 of capital. That is, that this amount of capital. must be used in gambling in order to produce a profit to the farmer.These. however, were only approximate estimates, and the larger the! figures the worse it appeared. Among his own servants be had instances of dishonesty from gambling within the last few months. and some who had been honest and trusty for years he had been obliged to discharge He hoped others who were present would give their experience
Mr. BOSMAN said he was much pleased to he r Mr. Taylor say that the Chinese in answering inquiries always endeavoured to say what they thought would please you, for this had invaria- bly been bis own experience He taken soure i interest in the gambling licensing, and when the question was first mooted several very res pectable Chinamen had come to bim, and asked bim to use his influener (supposing that he had some) to get them the farm. The moment they did not get it. were opposed to licensed zambling. He agreed with those who had. already spoken that gambling bad a bad effect on the colony, but he would ask was the $400.000 or $500,000 revenue now got from it any more that bad been paid. in another way of course fi corrupting the police and keeping up a system of spies. With regard to the instonces cited by Mr. Hitchcock, be could also cite some instances. There was the great defalcation it the Union Bank in London, and in the Northern Railway at Paris, but from thean: he was not prepared to say that the Chambera of Commerce of either place had recommended that the Stock Exchange should be shut up. He did not think it was at all necessary for this chamber to notice gambling, but if they did he certainly thought they ought to make some! further inquiries on the subject, in order that when they did take action they might also bey prepared as well to offer suggestions to the Governor as to what was to be done in place of the ordinance. If this ordinance was repealed. then we went back again to old story of corruption of the police, and all that took place before the ordinance was passed." He would therefore offer as an amendment to the first resolution the following:-
the
"That before expressing an opinion as to the effects of licensed gambling, this chamber should appoint a committee to make the neces- sary inquiries as to the injury caused to the trade of this colony by licensed gambling.”
Mr. DUNCANSON secondel the amendment. Mr. RYRIR said that his experience with the Chinese was quite different from Mr. Bosman's. His own compradore knew very well that at first he was in favor of the gambling ordinance. but bad nevertheless expressed to him. emphatic disapproval. Another oll Chinese! friend when hearing him express his approval. of the measure had replied that he was very unch surprised.
Me. TAYLOR 'n reply to Mr. Bosman's re- marks said that he reineinbered some time since«. there were public betting-honses opened in London, but the evil influence they exercised) upon the young men was so great, and felt to be such an evil, that the merchants, p titin Government rrahaf
en the case with the young men in London, he did not think therefore the ebamber need take any notice of it, nor was there any i mediate danger of the whole community being corrupted.
Mr. BITCHCOCK said that he objected to Mr. Bosman's resolution, first because two weeks notice of this meeting had been given, which was ample time for all to have made all necessary inquiries, and certain members had done this, and secondly because he considered the second part of the resolution entirely) gratuitons. He did not think the Governor wantel any suggestions from them as to his government of the colony. They wore only
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Called together to express an opinion, ant this t was embodied in the original resolution before the meeting.
Mr. BOSMAN said the meeting could not express an opinion upon a subject it was not properly informed of. If gumbling was to be entirely abolished be was with them, but of the two evils he though it much wizer to chose the lesser. The mere expression of opinion would be of little practical use. unless they could also suggest an effectual remsely. If a committee were appointed the matter could then be thoroughly gone into and discusse į.
Mr. HIснсосK said there were a number present who, if they chose could speak an 1 bear testimony of their personal knowledge of the evils of thi ordinance. If the police were cor- ruptable, and the antive population so easily corrupted. it was high time that the very thing that was corrupting both shoud be done away with.
The amendment of Mr. Bosman was then put to the meeting, and lost by a vote of 3 to 8. Messrs. Bosnian, Deacon, and Duncanson voting in the affirmative.
The original resolution was then put, and carried by a vote of 8 to 2, one member unt voting.
Mr. ROWETT then rose, and said that he en tirely agreed with what had been said by the supporters of the resolution just passed, and hel could corroborate all the facts they had brought į forward by others within his own knowledge. I had talked with his own compratore on the subject, and he always said that it was mos injurious, and a great many who had never tbought of gambling before did it now, and a great many who before would never have gone into the back slums, now had no scruples in not only going there but in being seen thereby others. He had no experience himself as to the work- ing of the ordinance here, but he had seen legalised gambling at Macao and Heligoland. At Macao he saw a very different class of people gambling from the miserable wretches who used to be brought up in our Police Courts before the ordinance. The police force was he thought now very much changed from what it used to be. At present there was an active and educated man at its head, one who must be quite above cullusion of any kind, as also the entire force was of a much higher character. The respectable classes of the Chinese were no doubt against gambling, because it was much against their interest. He would therefore propose:--
"That it is the opinion of this chamber that our present police-force, with the aid of the influencial portion of the Chinese trading coumnuity (which would be readily given), are quito competent to suppress gambling,"
Mr. JOHN LAPRAIK said he took much pleasure in seconding this resolution. When be first hourd of the gambling ordinance, he was in favor of it, but since it had been in operation be had great occasion to change his views. Chinese property he had good reason to know had declined 25 or 30 per cent.. Fand he cousidered that gambling had much to do with this. This was occasioned mostly by a decrease in the number of small shops open. These small traders had doubt- less lost all their small capital at gaming- tables, and then been obliged to close up and leave the colony.
Mr. TAYLOR said that when the Governor first came to the colony he had
put down gambling for about two weeks' without himself knowing it. He had sent around officers to say that he would not allow gambling in any form, but the Chinese, after waiting for a fortuight, saw proclamation on the subject, and heard nothing further, they con. sequently concluded that they were the words of a man who did not mean what he said. When the present Governor of Canton first arrived, he gave a similar intimation, and fol- lowed it up by a proclamation, to the effect that he meant what be said, and the conseq ienes was that gambling does not exist in that city.
Mr. BOSMAN said he was glad those present bad voted on the last resolution, with such good information at hand. For himself he must confess he knew little about the poline,
The resolution was then put to the meeting. and carried by six votes, seven gentlemen declining to vote.
The CHAIRMAN remarked that it was only a few days ago that Mr. Bosinan gave out, at a public meeting. that he did know something of the police force.
There being no further business the meeting then separated.
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